Explore exciting new changes for wine and food lovers, including expansions, launches, and more
Terras & Terroir expanding to Algarve
The group behind Quinta da Pacheca, in the Douro, intends to expand its activity to the Algarve.
Maria do Céu Gonçalves, co-founder of Terras & Terroir alongside Álvaro Lopes and Paulo Pereira, wants to counter the idea that the south “is all about the beach” and introduce tourists to wine from the region, seeing this as a new business opportunity.
Production will take place in the hills and in the area of Alvor, in the municipality of Portimão. The group also owns properties such as Quinta do Ortigão (Bairrada) and Caminhos Cruzados (Dão), among others, and recently acquired the Valle de Passos brand in Trás-os-Montes.
Hole 19
One of Portugal’s most iconic golf courses, The Old Course at Vilamoura, has unveiled a revitalised pub concept for golfers as part of its extensive clubhouse update.
Complementing the Old Course’s historic legacy, the new space will offer comfort food and British pub classics elevated for today.
The drinks menu features refreshing pitcher cocktails, Portuguese wines, and a selection of British and international beers.
Decorated with vintage touches to offer golfers and visitors a relaxing ambiance, this is the place to unwind after a round or simply enjoy a special occasion in convivial surroundings.
So-and-so makes wine
The Algarve boast a new wine producer. Located in Algoz, Dito Cujo, which roughly translates to “so-and-so”, is a small venture run by producer João Caldeira, supported by winemaker Dinis Gonçalves (Cabrita Wines). So far, this young project has produced three blends.
The Dito Cujo Red (€16), made with Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet, reveals notes of jammy red fruit with hints of bergamot and white pepper.
The Dito Cujo White (€13), a fresh blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Arinto with notes of lime zest and passion fruit, and the Dito Cujo Rosé (€12), an Aragonez and Touriga Nacional blend with fresh, citrus and tropical fruit aromas.
Riverside dining
Adding to Arvad’s portfolio of exquisite activities is the new lunch experience at the Casa do Rio on the estate’s riverside deck.
Set around a large cataplana, the lunches include three moments: the starter, a cooking exhibition as the chef prepares the main course, and a regional dessert with coffee, in addition to the pairing with three Arvad wines to accompany each moment.
This experience is available for groups of up to 20 diners by appointment only (via email, [email protected]) and costs from €80 per person.
Mediterranean delights
Vila Vita Parc’s varied gastronomic offer continues to grow and surprise guests. Its seafront fine-dining restaurant, Atlântico, has been brimming with novelty since chef João Sousa’s arrival.
The restaurant, which essentially focused on Portuguese gastronomy, now offers a broader range of flavours, with ingredients and dishes from every corner of the Mediterranean.
ATLÂNTICO
Each dish tells a story, such as the lamb sirloin, chermoula, butter beans, aubergine and fig from Northern Africa, the dover sole, noisette butter velouté, quinoa and capers adding French influences or the very Portuguese fish velouté, goose barnacles from Sagres and salicornia.
This gastronomic experience is available as a five-course tasting menu (€95, excluding drinks) or à la carte.
A Roman-style vintage
The family-run João Clara winery has launched its first amphorae wine. Made using an ancient technique brought to Portugal by the Romans, the João Clara Tinto de Ânfora (€24) is a single-varietal Negra Mole made with grapes originating from 50-year-old vines.
Fermented and aged in amphorae, this light violet-coloured wine reveals aromas dominated by red fruit and earthy clay. In the mouth, it’s fresh and tense, showing the full potential of the Negra Mole variety.
This limited edition, of which just 1,200 bottles were produced, is best served chilled and paired with traditional Algarvian fish and meat dishes.
For demanding palates
Tascaria São Rafael is the new restaurant at the Nau São Rafael Suites hotel in Albufeira and promises to win over snack fans on a gastronomic journey that surprises with a menu faithful to its Portuguese roots.
Octopus salad, Pata Negra cured ham, gazpacho, Azorean cheese and prawn fritters are just some of the treats you can enjoy alongside a diverse drinks menu with a focus on Algarve wines.
The space is decorated with Portuguese azulejo tiles, striking a balance between tradition and luxury. The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5pm to 11pm.
Wine Tourism TV
If you’re curious about Portuguese wine and the story behind each producer, if you’re looking for new wine tourism experiences, or want to stay up to date on the latest news in the wine sector, there’s a new online channel for you.
Wine Tourism TV
APENO, the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association, has launched Wine Tourism TV, a pioneering project worldwide.
Its objective is to creatively and effectively reveal the realities of Wine Tourism in Portugal, making it both attractive and instructive. With a varied programme, always subtitled in English, it’s a powerful tool to promote Portugal’s producers, diverse wine regions, wines, and ever-growing wine tourism experiences.
Find out more at www.apeno.tv/en/home
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