Three journalists, one from the United States of America, another from Canada and, finally, one from the United Kingdom, tasted wines from the Algarve, on a visit to the region during the 4th, 5th and 6th of October, and were «satisfied and surprised» with the quality presented.
Thus, the Algarve Wine Commission (CVA) was visited by journalists and wine critics, representing the renowned organizations Circle of Wine Writers (UK), Society of Wine Educators (USA) and Vins & Vignobles (Canada).
All journalists belong to the International Federation of Journalists and Wine Writers (FIJEV).
«Despite knowing some wines and regions of the country, it was the first time that they visited the Algarve and were satisfied and surprised with the recent recovery of the wine sector in the region», says the CVA.
This visit comprised a tour guided by the CVA by various producers, each winery visited being responsible for the selection of wines and the technical information provided. CVA began the visit with a general presentation of the sector, production and certified producers in the region.
«The places visited were Quinta da Tôr (Loulé), Quinta do Francês (Silves), Convento do Paraíso (Silves) and Quinta dos Vales (Lagoa), ending the visit with an extended tasting of other producers at the Veneza restaurant and wine cellar, in Paderne, where one of the red monovariety wines of Negra Mole was tasted, the most typical variety in the Algarve and the only one (with productive capacity) in the country and in the world», says CVA.
Alongside this visit by specialized journalists to the region, the Algarve Wines made themselves known through a stand of tastings at the Vinipax event – part of the Rural Beja event – which took place from the 5th to the 8th of October.
There, it was possible to taste some novelties such as Clarete and Palhete, both from the recent Morgado do Quintão project.
These two wines seek to recover the old concepts of Claretes – light wines in color and alcohol and light in taste – and Palhetes – even lighter and resulting from the tanning of white and red grapes, resulting in a more open and rosy colored wine, called Palhetes.
For Carlos Gracias, president of CVA, «participating in Vinipax is part of the strategy for promoting the Algarve's wines, especially in an event so close to the region and with tradition in the presence of important national and increasingly international regions and producers».
Carlos Gracias speaks, even so, of some dismay that this year there will not be the usual wine competition, as «it would be another opportunity to affirm the growing quality of Algarve wines, submitted to blind tasting by international experts».
One of the Algarve producers visiting the stand it was Luís Cabrita, from Quinta da Malaca, who says that “the presence of a stand to promote Algarve wines in Beja is very relevant”.
This is because, «in addition to promoting it in an important consumer region such as the Alentejo, it is not limited to this territory only, as many people from abroad come to Vinipax to discover the wines».
Luís Cabrita also says that this year's harvest «went very well, with the grapes being very healthy, so he foresees a production of excellent quality».
In relation to the amount, he says that «it will be higher in whites due to the increase in the vineyard area by 3 hectares for the Crato Branco and Sauvignon Blanc varieties to satisfy the demand for fresh wines in the region».
The promotion of Algarve Wines continues its action abroad from the 20th to the 22nd of October, at the Campo Pequeno Wine Market in Lisbon, also with stand own.
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