From small family-run businesses to some of the region’s biggest names, everyone who is anyone, will be there. Amongst others, the Wine Show will feature local producers Única – Adega Cooperative de Lagoa, who will be flying the flag for regional wines.
Established in 1944 the Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa (www.adegalagoa.com) was the first in the country to function with its current characteristics. Its products are without doubt amongst the Algarve’s most acclaimed, as well as being amongst the most symbolic in Portugal.
Several awards were achieved during the Wine Masters Challenger 2008, proving the quality of Única’s products.
More recently Quinta da Penina (Alvor), which produces the renowned Foral wine, will also be participating in the Wine Show. Just last week Quinta da Penina (www.vinhosportimao .com) was awarded a Gold Medal in the international Wine Masters Challenge 2010 for its Foral de Portimão Reserva 2008. Of 4,497 wines, 258 medals were awarded by a panel of judges, the Foral de Portimão Reserva being amongst the most highly acclaimed.
Quinta dos Vales (Estômbar), a more recent arrival in the Algarve, will be returning to the Wine Show after last year’s successful participation. Now widely recognised for their up-and-coming wines as well as for their colourful, oversized sculptures, Quinta dos Vales (www.quintadosvales.eu) produces ‘powerful wines of substantial colour’, in red, white and rosé. Their unique maturing process enhances “some of the otherwise undiscovered characteristics you find in superior wines” combining well established international varieties which have proven their adaptation to the regional climate and soils, with mainly Portuguese varieties.
Owned by sculptor Karl Heinz Stock, Quinta dos Vales offers a sophisticated combination of wine and art that is quietly stirring growing interest from far and wide.
Smaller producers such as Quinta João Clara (Vale de Lousas, Alcantarilha), Quinta da Vinha (Silves), and Quinta dos Lopes (Barão São João) will also be participating.
Quinta João Clara was established in 1975, when João Clara purchased the property and planted the first vines. It produced its marketed wine (João Clara Tinto – Vinho Regional do Algarve) in 2006, the completion of a young producers dream. Currently run by Edite Alves, Quinta João Clara is dedicated to producing wines of fine quality.
Family-run Quinta da Vinha, which belongs to the Cabrita family, produces the trademark red and rosé ‘Vinho Cabrita’. The farm was initiated in 1977 by fruit seller José André, who planted the land with traditional Algarve vines such as Crato, Monteudo, Negra Mole and Castelão, to produce his ‘homemade’ wines. In 2000 his son, José Manuel Cabrita, took over and further explored the huge potential Quinta da Vinha offered. A thorough transformation took place in 2000 and 2001, including replanting the land with other national varieties to enhance the Algarvean potential, like Touriga nacional, Trincadeira and Aragonês. And in 2007 the current red and rosé Vinho Cabrita was born, a wine with a daring, fresh image, aimed at young, curious consumers who recognize quality wine at accessible prices.
Quinta dos Lopes will be displaying their selection of choice wines, from across the region as well as local produce from the Western Algarve, as will Monte da Casteleja (Sargaçal, Lagos – www.montedacasteleja.com).
Now owned by winegrower Guillaume Leroux, Monte da Casteleja was originally purchased by Guillaume‘s Sagres-born grandfather, a highly-respected individual in the fishing industry, in 1952.
First introduced to the “magic of wines” by his French father, over the decades Guillaume realised the great potential of Portuguese wines, becoming passionate about wine after discovering the richness and complexity of the world of wine during his travels and studies.
With the mission of producing a “high quality regional wine”, since 1998 Guillaume has built on Monte da Casteleja to achieve his objective.
Despite Monte da Casteleja’s wines now being widely applauded, they received further acclamation of quality this year when globally respected wine journalist Sarah Ahmed (aka. ‘The Wine Detective’) elected its ‘Maria Selection Tinto 2007’ (red) as one of the ‘50 Great Portuguese Wines, 2010’.
She described Monte da Casteleja’s ‘Maria Selection Tinto 2007’ as “An attractive floral nose and palate with wild, bright cherry and pomegranate, and subtle spice underscored by pithy tannins. Put me in mind of Conceito’s Bastardo from the Douro with its combination of intensity and delicacy.”
Also expected to make a return are Cliff Richard’s Vida Nova and Onda Nova wines, from his ‘Adega do Cantor’ (Guia, Albufeira - www.winesvida nova.com). In recent years these wines (whites, reds, rosés and sparkling rosés) have earned a dedicated following both in Portugal and in the UK.
Since Vida Nova’s inception, the grape ripening, harvest, fermentation and wine maturation has been overseen by consultant winemaker, David Baverstock.
Renowned for the range of wines he produces at Herdade de Esporão in the Alentejo, David was Portuguese winemaker of the year in 1999, the first foreigner to win the award. His Esporão Touriga Naçional 2001 took the trophy for best Portuguese red wine at the London International Wine Challenge in 2002.
And if all of the afore-mentioned isn’t enough to tempt you to the International Algarve Fair (www.algarvefair.com), then we don’t know what is!
The International Algarve Fair takes place over the first weekend in June, on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th, open both days from 11h00 to 19h00.
Algarve Car hire
