📍 Algarve

The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, where wine with the protected geographical indication PGI “Algarve” covers the whole Faro district. Over 3,000 hours of sun a year, a mountain barrier against cold northern winds and the ocean give it a clearly Mediterranean climate. Besides the regional wine there are four protected PDO names: Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Tavira.

Under the specification, the minimum strength is 11.5 % vol. for reds, 11 % for whites and rosés, 19 % for red liqueur wines and 15.5 % for white liqueur wines. The maximum yield is 90 hl/ha, and the vines need to be at least four years past grafting. Rosé wines are made by the “bica aberta” method or with light maceration, and the dry white liqueur wine by the solera method.

The permitted varieties include both local and international ones: Negra Mole, Castelão, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Arinto, Antão Vaz, Verdelho and Cabernet Sauvignon. According to the specification, Algarve white wines are delicate and very fruity, while the reds are dry, soft and full-bodied, with tropical fruit aromas and low acidity.

The history is long: under Arab rule grapes were grown and wine was exported. Quality winemaking in the region was recognised in 1980, in 1993 the wines gained the right to the designation “vinho regional Algarve”, and in 1994 the CVA commission, which certifies the wines, was created.

Why it matters to you. “Algarve” without a town name is a PGI regional wine from the whole Faro district, while the wines of the four PDOs come from more specific coastal zones. Look at this difference on the label.

Algarve wine has been breaking records: about 1.98 million litres of certified wine were produced in 2024, the highest figure so far. The red plantings lean on two local varieties, Negra Mole at about 18.8% and Castelão at 17.3%. The four DOCs split the coast into neat pieces: Lagos covers Aljezur, Lagos and Vila do Bispo, Portimão is a single municipality, Lagoa takes in Albufeira, Lagoa, Loulé and Silves, and Tavira spans six eastern municipalities.