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Many of you will have been to the Algarve on holiday, but did you know that they also make some very interesting wines.

In this article you can find out about the variety of wines the Algarve produces, the main local grapes and life as a wine maker in Sir Cliff Richard’s Winery, Adega do Cantor.

A Bit about the Algarve

The Algarve is the most southern region of Portugal and has four separate DOC’s; Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira.

• Lagos – The red wine is smooth and fruity with a low acidity level. The white wine is lemon-straw in colour and tends to be full bodied.

• Portimão – The red wine is light, smooth with low acidity and high alcohol content. The white wine is straw-coloured with a soft and rich aromatic flavour.

• Lagoa – The soft and sandy soil and warm climate provides a rich distinct flavour. The red wines are ruby coloured which develop with age and are easy to drink. The white wine is soft and full bodied. Both have high alcohol content.

• Tavira – The red wine is soft and pale coloured and with a fruity aroma. The white wine is straw-coloured, smooth and full bodied.

The Main Local Grapes are:

• Red – Negra Mole and Castelão
• White – Roupeiro (sira), Bual Branco (malvasia Fina) and Manteudo.

We interviewed Max Birch from one of Sir Cliff Richard’s Wineries, Adega do Cantor, to find out about life in the Algarve…

What is your favourite wine that you make in the Algarve region?
At the moment it is a single varietal Alicanté Bouschet that we have had in barrel for 10 months and that will be released next year.

3 words to describe this favourite wine?
Structured, Corpulent, Intense.

What international food would you match with it?
Grilled Black Pig with Salt. I know this is not international but it should be. Also it is genuinely one of the only foods strong enough to match Southern Portuguese Alicanté.

What do you do when you’re not making wine?
I eat fantastic Portuguese food and gain weight. Then I run around after my two small children to lose it.

To taste wines from the Algarve click here or log onto www.viniportugal.co.uk and search by region to find a retailer or stockiest closest to you.

You can also taste wines from Vida Nova with Oz Clarke, simply click here and enjoy the 6 wines all available in Waitrose.

Please join DFJ Vinhos at the Tesco Wine Fairs around the country to discover the Portuguese wine that Tesco has to offer. They will be showing Pink Elephant Rosé and Tesco’s Finest Touriga Nacional, also with an additional 15% off the current Tesco.com prices, you’ll be able to stock up on your favourites at amazing value.

Tickets range from £6 – £10, and the wine fairs will be in the following cities over the country:

Manchester – 4th & 5th September at Central Hall One, Manchester Central

Brighton – 11th &  12th September at Brighton Centre

Edinburgh – 25th & 26th September at Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Bristol – 2nd & 3rd October at Passenger Shed at Brunel’s Old Station

London – 23rd & 24th October at Royal Horticultural Halls

Avery’s wine merchants are running a Portuguese Wine promotion throughout September. To see their range of fantastic wines and money saving offers simply click here

The first 10 correct answers will win a ViniPortugal goodie bag

How many separate DOC’s does the Algarve have?

Just email sarah@jkmarketing.co.uk with your answer

Congratulations to Mr Jackson who is this month’s T-shirt competition winner, 6 bottles of Portuguese wine will be on their way to you! Mr Jackson took his Wines of Portugal t-shirt to the Great Wall of China… think you can do better?

If you would like to take part in next month’s T-shirt competition, contact Sarah at viniportugal@jkmarketing.co.uk to request a Wines of Portugal T-shirt, and then take a picture wearing it in the most unusual place you can think of!
The winner will receive 6 bottles of Portuguese wine and will be announced at the end of each month, the winning picture will also feature in the following monthly newsletter.