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 and order your own mixed case from the range available.

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.

Below are the latest UK supermarket promotions featuring Portuguese wines.

Majestic

Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2009 – buy two bottles and save £2.50

Tesco

Warre’s Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port 50cl 15% off
5% off Port Mixed Case

From 19 July to 5 September, the D&D Restaurant group in London will be launching a new promotion with Wines of Portugal in association with The Evening Standard.

They will offer one complimentary glass of Portuguese wine with the purchase of their brilliantly priced set menus. They will also launch a new Portuguese wine to accompany the promotional menus.

Your nearest D&D Restaurant:

Almeida – Islington
Avenue – St James
Bluebird – Chelsea
Blue Print Café – Tower Bridge
Kensington Place – Notting Hill
Le Pont de La Tour – Tower Bridge
Skylon – South Bank Complex
Royal Exchange – Bank

Click here to find out more and to book.

Canela Café can be found in Seven Dials, Covent Garden and Carnaby Street in London and is offering a FREE glass of wine with its exciting menu. Canela Café brings the culinary influences of Portugal and Brazil to London, it’s a superb alternative to anything currently around the West End.

Canela is offering one free glass of wine with any main course Mon-Fri (from 12.30pm to 5pm) valued at £5.60 during July 2010.

Click here to view the menu; you have to try the Pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts!)

DoILikeIt? is a new wine research company that wants to know what you – and your friends – honestly think about all things wine. Trials may range from sending you free bottles of wine to enjoy at home, to taking part in online surveys. We may also send you wine glasses or books. There’s absolutely no charge, no one will ever try to sell you anything.

To find out more and to sign up to be part of the community, visit www.doilikeit.com. Just mention at the end of the registration that you found out about DoILikeIt? through the ‘ViniPortugal newsletter’ and you will be eligible to win a case of wine.

James Nicholson Wine Merchant is hosting a Portuguese tasting on the 11th September in their shop, with guest speaker Sophia Bergqvist of Quinta de la Rosa. Sophia will also be doing a wine dinner at The Inn at Castledawson on the 10th www.theinncastledawson.com.

If you would like more information and would like to attend please contact Averil Johnston of James Nicholson Wine Merchants: 028 4483 0091

Twitter: twitter.com/jnwine