Algarve tourism isn’t just about the sun and beaches these days! Golf is played and infrastructures associated with MI (Meeting Industry) emerge. Go on an adventure in search of outdoor activities, whether at sea – in underwater tourism activities, or in the Ria Formosa – with tours and bird watching.

In Barrocal, or in the mountains, the offer associated with Cycling & Walking proliferates! Cultural programs are being promoted throughout the year and there is more talk than ever about the binomial gastronomy and wine which, under the umbrella of the Mediterranean Diet, drives economic development throughout the entire production process. Traditional gastronomy goes hand in hand with gastronomic acculturation, typical of successful tourist regions.

Special emphasis on the innovation and use of indigenous products in the gourmet version, which gives rise to the recognition of the current 10 Michelin stars that distinguish the Algarve. Such is the diversity of the offer, that we easily find suggestions for gastronomic and wine itineraries. Wine tourism days are promoted and enogastronomy is approached as an art of combining food and wine, on the path to complete satisfaction. The experts’ suggestions are valuable, just as the group opinions that proliferate on social networks and mobile applications based on artificial intelligence are valuable. Just like tourism, Algarve wine is now a famous secret!

This edition of the Algarve Wine Guide is an initiative of the Algarve Tourism Region, with the specialized contribution of the Algarve Hotel and Tourism School and the Algarve Wine Commission, in the relationship with economic agents. It arises within the scope of the Algarve Cooking Vacations project, whose objective is to affirm the Algarve as a destination of excellence for learning programs in culinary and winemaking, through the creation of tourist routes for this purpose.

The guide gains special relevance at a time when wine production in the region is experiencing a real quantitative and qualitative rise. The most recent information shows that wine production in the Algarve has grown by more than 50%, well above the national average.

Let’s say that this new investment in the Algarve wine region is approaching its maturity and is now preparing for a new challenge – the investment in wine tourism, in its true rise of the word, assisted by the improvement of access, reception and installation infrastructure adequate signage.

Innovative ideas emerge, such as the invitation to create your own wine, personalization of labels, and the invitation to adopt a vineyard or beauty treatments based on grape and wine derivatives. Let us combine the quality of the “wine” product with the quality of the service offering and we will have the formula for success.

Given the typicality that soil and climatic conditions confer on wines, there are four Designations of Origin in the Algarve: Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Tavira. However, most producers currently choose to certify a large part of their references as regional wine. The Algarve Geographical Indication Wine is produced throughout the region, so it makes sense that producers and their wines are presented here by municipalities.

Honour is due to the Algarve Tourism Region and its partners, for the initiative to update information about the Algarve wine panorama. Whether for the less attentive, or other connoisseurs, here is an invitation to taste the whims of Baco, in the South of Portugal.

Manuel Serra
Technical Area Coordinator at the School of Hotel and Tourism in the Algarve

Source: visitalgarve.pt