This region is located to the south of Portugal, and it is not only one of the most important tourist destinations in the country, but also a place that has many similarities with Spain.
The mild climate makes Algarve one of the region’s most visited by tourists. In fact, it is estimated that this region has more than 300 sunny days a year.
Algarve offers everything from beaches and golf courses to hiking trails and restaurants.
AOC Vinho Regional Algarvio
All wines produced here are all AOC Vinho Regional Algarvio certified, which is a Portuguese certification that guarantees that wine is made from grapes grown in the specific region. The AOC stands for Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, a French certification that guarantees that a product is locally sourced and produced.
Grape varieties
The main grape varieties are Arinto, Roupeiro, Perrum and Galego Dourado.
Arinto is a white grape variety with high acidity; it is used for wines that have aromatic complexity but can age for a long time. Perrum is another white variety with high acidity; it is used for wines that can age for a long time. Roupeiro is a white variety with floral aromas and herbaceous notes; it is often used for making sparkling wine. Galego Dourado is an indigenous red grape variety that produces wines with fruity aromas and smooth tannins.
Perrum
Perrum is the most well-known grape variety in the Algarve. It’s a white variety with high acidity, and it’s used for wines that can age for a long time. These wines have great potential to evolve over time, becoming more complex and acquiring more character. Perrum is often blended with other grape varieties to make wines that are more complex and have new dimensions of flavor.
The best examples of blends containing Perrum are made by Herdade do Esporao. You can find them here: https://www.esporao.com/en/wines
Roupeiro
Roupeiro is a white variety with floral aromas and herbaceous notes. It is often used for making sparkling wine but can also be found in still wines.
Arinto
Arinto, a white variety of grape, has high acidity and citrusy notes, especially when from limestone soils. It is often used in blends to add complexity to the finished wine.
Galego Dourado
The Galego Dourado is a white variety with low acidity that is used to make wines that can be drunk young. It also has a good capacity for aging, developing notes of honey and dried fruits and nuts. It is the main variety grown in the small Quinta das Arcas vineyard, which produces some of the best wines in Algarve.
Aging
When aged, they develop notes of honey and dried fruit. This makes these wines the perfect accompaniment to desserts, or simply on their own as a digestif. They can also be matched with nuts, particularly almonds or walnuts, or with cheeses like blue cheese.
To spot a wine that was aged for 15 years you will need to look at the label: it will say “Vinho Regional Algarvio de 15 Anos” (which means Algarve Regional Wine of 15 Years) or “Vinho do Porto Tinto Velhas Quintas” (which means Vintage Red Port).
Wines with distinct characteristics
In the Algarve region of Portugal, some vineyards are able to produce wines that are versatile and light enough to be enjoyed alongside more delicate Portuguese cheeses. In this section, we’ll take a look at the white varieties that produce these wines, as well as what’s popular and what you can expect when you buy these wines.