Innovative winemaking in the Algarve brings new amphora-aged whites, limited orange vintages, and refreshing regional blends
A white Negra Mole
Famous for its smooth and silky red Negra Mole, Arvad has launched its first white wine made with the iconic Algarvian grape variety.
The Arvad White Negra Mole 2023 vintage (€17.50) marks the beginning of a new reference for the Silves winery.
Aged in 750l clay amphorae for 9 months, this lightly cloudy, unfiltered wine reveals notes of white fruit, gunpowder, and some pastry. On the palate, it has good volume and a texture characteristic of the amphorae in which it was aged. This is a deeply saline wine perfect for pairing with seafood, pasta dishes, and cured cheeses.
GOAT orange wine
Back by popular demand, Cabrita has released a new edition of its orange wine. The 2024 Goat vintage (€20.50), a blend of Arinto and Encruzado, is a white wine produced in the same manner as a red, with the juice in contact with the skins and stems, conceding it its unique colour.
On the nose, this limited-edition amber wine reveals aromas of dried fruit, honey, and delicate flowers.
On the palate, it has medium acidity, velvety tannins, and a long finish.
This unusual wine with low alcohol content (11.5%) pairs perfectly with poultry, grilled fatty fish, and aged cheeses.
Blanc de Noir
Silves winery Quinta dos Sentidos recently launched the 2024 edition of its Branco Paladar (€14), a distinctive wine made from four red grape varieties.
This “Blanc de Noir” is a blend of Aragonez (43%), Tinta Caiada (22%), Syrah (18%), and Touriga Nacional (17%).
Light, dry, and pleasant, this wine is perfect for everyday drinking. Presenting a glistening and clear grassy yellow hue, on the nose, it has delicate aromas of peaches and citrus fruits.
On the palate, it is sleek and creamy, with bright notes of fresh cantaloupe and a touch of refreshing acidity that drives the wine to a pleasant saline finish.
Monchique Riesling
An unusual grape variety for the Algarve, but increasingly popular in the region, Riesling is producing interesting wines.
One of the latest vintages to be released is the Terraços de Monchique Riesling 2024 (€14.50). Made from grapes grown in high-altitude vineyards of the Monchique mountains, it presents an intense aroma of green apple, lime, and white fruit.
On the palate, it is fresh and saline. This single-varietal wine is surprisingly lively and exuberant.
With an alcohol content of 11.5% and notable minerality, it is a crisp, refreshing choice, perfect for aperitifs, light fish dishes, and Oriental cuisine.
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