Fresh, local and award-winning: Exploring the wines making waves in the Algarve
Fresh, maritime wines
Taking their name from the fiddler crabs (Uca tangeri) found on Alvor Beach, the UCA Violinista wines are Arvad’s latest releases: a collection of fresh, maritime wines to be enjoyed “at any tide”.
Light-heartedly, the brand asserts itself as “a serious wine that doesn’t take itself too seriously”. The red, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragonês, and Syrah, reveals appealing notes of ripe red fruits, dark chocolate, and bergamot; the white, a blend of Arinto and Boal, showcases a tropical and citrus profi le with intriguing notes of anise and minerality; and the rosé, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragonês, and Syrah, presents fresh blackcurrant and guava notes with a light floral touch (€6.90 each).
Algarve’s best wine
Despedida 2018, a red wine from producer Casa Santos Lima, has clinched the top honour at the 17th edition of the Algarve Wine Contest (Concurso de Vinhos do Algarve), earning the coveted Grand Gold Medal and the title of Best Wine of the Algarve 2025.
The award ceremony took place in May at the Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort, bringing together winemakers, industry pros, and local partners for a night of celebration and clinking glasses – all under the watchful eye of the Comissão Vitivinícola do Algarve (CVA) and with the support of Lagoa’s municipal council.
But Despedida wasn’t the only star of the night. A line-up of dozens of regional wines also walked away with gold and silver medals, along with special mentions that showcased the rich variety and growing excellence of Algarve wine production.
Organisers say the competition is all about raising the bar for local wines and showcasing the best wines made in the Algarve.
Generational wine
Herdade Barranco do Vale, in São Bartolomeu de Messines, has released the Reserva Red 2024 (€14.95) and, with it, its annual letter to Grandfather Ramiro: a simple tribute to the person who started this journey.
Made by the family’s third generation of vintners, this blend of Castelão and Aragonez presents aromas of red fruit, spices and a hint of tobacco. In the mouth, it’s slightly herbaceous and reveals the presence of wood, contributing to an aromatically rich wine.
Smooth, enveloping, with good structure and silky tannins, it has a long, fresh and complex finish reflecting the terroir of this estate.
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