The Algarve boasts an abundant culinary and wine heritage. From new wine releases featuring unique local grapes to the celebration of a new National Gastronomy Day, there are plenty of options for foodies to explore
Algarve to host National Gastronomy Day in 2025
The Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant, and Similar Association (AHRESP) revealed that the 2025 National Gastronomy Day will be celebrated in the Algarve in an initiative driven by the Algarve Tourism Board.
The grand festival of Portuguese gastronomy will take place in Albufeira on July 26 next year and will shine a spotlight on bivalves.
A special homage will be paid to razor clams, cockles, and clams – the primary highlights of the occasion and central ingredient in many authentic regional delicacies.
The annual celebration serves as a platform to appreciate and boost the diverse and abundant Portuguese culinary heritage.
A new rosé and a red blend
Herdade Barranco do Vale has just released two new wines. The estate’s first single-varietal Negra Mole Rosé 2023 (€15.95) is an alluring onion-skin-coloured wine.
Fresh and fruity, it has floral accent, a lightly spicy, herbaceous touch, and striking minerality. On the palate, it’s dry with a light smoky note.
The second new release is the red Blend Reserva 2023 (€14.95), a ruby-coloured wine made with the estate’s best Aragonês and Castelão grapes. It reveals aromas of wild blackberries, orange blossom, heather, and violets. In the mouth, it’s very minty, soft and enveloping, with good structure and silky tannins.
Celebrating the terroir
Arvad has just released its first sparkling wine.
Made with 100% Arinto, a white grape variety traditionally used in the Algarve, the Brut Nature White 2021 (€19.50) is a celebration of its river-side terroir.
Presented in a beautiful opaque bottle, the wine reveals a greenish colour with fine and persistent bubbles. On the nose, its citrus notes are involved in some pastry resulting from ageing in the bottle with free yeast. Fresh and lively on the palate, its bubble is very elegant, balancing and involving the natural acidity of the wine. With a long and persistent finish, it’s ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood.
Pairing perfection
Wine Spectator magazine has awarded two of Algarve fine-dining restaurants with its 2024 “Award of Excellence”.
Pepper’s Steakhouse, located at the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, won the coveted award for the first time, whilst Tivoli Carvoeiro’s The One received the award for the fourth time, reaffirming its continued excellence.
The prestigious American wine magazine’s awards aim to acknowledge and distinguish restaurants featuring “wine lists offering diversity and quality recommendations, harmony between the wine selection and the menu, and the value provided”.
Every Excellence Award-winning recipient offers at least 90 wine references that satisfy the most discerning wine connoisseurs.
Faro sunset spot
Downtown Faro has a new sunset spot on the Ginásio Clube Naval rooftop.
Perched above the Marina, Terrazzo offers a unique setting with privileged views of the Ria Formosa.
Ideal for a burger, tacos or nachos, a sundowner or weekend brunch, the restaurant boasts a terrace for sunny days and a welcoming indoor space with a fresh tropical feel.
From Wednesday to Sunday, between 7pm and 10pm, a DJ sets the mood, whilst on Saturdays, resident artists get the party going from 10pm until 2am. Terrazzo is open every day from 12pm to midnight.
Vines with a view
Falésia Wine – a boutique winery located in the Lagos area, boasting the Algarve’s closest vineyard to the sea – entered its first international wine competition this year and was rewarded with a bronze medal.
The winning wine is the recently released Falésia Reserva Branco 2022 (RRP: N/A). It’s the same blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Arinto as the 2021 vintage, which was included in Decanter magazine’s top Algarve wines list. Aged in oak barrels, this straw-coloured white “has plenty of ripe fruit and spicy oak”, according to the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) judges.
Gold Medal for Lagoa wine
Única – Adega Cooperativa do Algarve, a company dedicated to producing and selling still wines, liqueurs, brandy and recently sangria, saw its Lagoa Reserva Tinto 2019 (€8) honoured this year.
The 16th Algarve Wine Competition, which took place in Lagoa as part of an initiative by the region’s Wine Commission, recognised this as one of the best bottled wines in competition and awarded it a gold medal.
With a deep garnet colour and aromas of ripe red fruit, with soft notes of dried fruit and spices, this wine is well-structured, distinct and smooth, best served at around 16ºC.
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