Algarve wines
On this blog we tend to focus a lot on the tourism industry in the Algarve, and we don’t offer nearly enough attention to the Algarve wine industry, which while not as well known as the first one, is an important characteristic of the region.
The region does produce both white and red wines, however the region is most well-known for its reds, however it does make a small quantity of fresh white wines.
These Algarve wines are produced, mostly, by a rather small number of upscale cooperatives, however there is a certain trend that is seeing independent producers increasing in number here, as they have been through Europe in the past couple of years.
The Algarve wines have a rather high alcohol content, traditionally, which is a result of the very warm and maritime climate. One has to think that there are only 125 miles from the easternmost vineyards – in Tavita – and the northern coast of Africa.
The Algarve climate is great for “Vitis vinifera” because the vine has some very long-term temperature needs, but it is also great for the short-term needs of the humans growing them. The same climate features that bring in millions of tourists each year – the sunshine, warm air and sea breeze – are also the same things that make for grapes with a high level of potential alcohol.
The climate accelerates the vine growing season, which means that the grapes are brought to their optimal juicy, sweet potential before they have time to develop a lot of flavor. This also makes them trade their natural acids for sugar – which is needed to create alcohol – but little else, as they ripen. This is the main reason why Algarve wines are very strong, but they lack the refreshing sense that acidity would give them, and which honestly would be great in the region. This is also the reason why they taste a bit ‘baked’, because of all the hot nights.
On the other hand, the Algarve wines do benefit from a varied range of soils, which means that there are some vineyards that benefit from free-draining, because of their soils.
One great way of seeing what the region has to offer is to take a wine tour with the help of our Algarve car hire services.
