Algarve is a Portuguese wine

Portuguese wine

Portuguese wine is the result of traditions introduced to the region by ancient civilizations, such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and mostly the Romans. Portugal started to export its wines to Rome during the Roman Empire. Modern exports developed with trade to England after the...

 region covering the same areas as its namesake region. The region is classified as a Vinho Regional (VR), a designation similar to a French vin de pays

Vin de pays

Vin de pays is a French term meaning "country wine". Vins de pays are a step in the French wine classification which is above the table wine classification, but below the VDQS and Appellation d'origine contrôlée classifications...

region. Located on the southern coast of Portugal

Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

, the region's wine

Wine

Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...

 industry is driven by the local tourist economy with very little wines exported.

Wine regions

Within the Algarve region there are 4 major wine regions. Listed from west.

• Lagos DOC
  Lagos DOC
  Lagos is a Portuguese wine region centered around the Lagos municipality in the Algarve region. The region has Portugal's highest wine classification as a Denominação de Origem Controlada...
  
  
• Portimão DOC
  Portimão DOC
  Portimão is a Portuguese wine region centered around the Portimão municipality in the Algarve region. The region has Portugal's highest wine classification as a Denominação de Origem Controlada . The region is bordered by the Lagoa DOC to the east and the Lagos DOC to the west.-Grapes:The principal...
  
  
• Lagoa DOC
  Lagoa DOC
  Lagoa is a Portuguese wine region centered around the Lagoa municipality in the Algarve region. The region has Portugal's highest wine classification as a Denominação de Origem Controlada . The region is bordered to the west by the Portimão DOC and to the east by Tavira DOC...
  
  
• Tavira DOC
  Tavira DOC
  Tavira is a Portuguese wine region centered around the Tavira Municipality in the Algarve region. The region has Portugal's highest wine classification as a Denominação de Origem Controlada . Extending to the Spanish border, the region is flanked on the west by the Lagoa DOC.-Grapes:The principle...
  
  

Grapes

The principle grapes of the Algarve region includes Arinto

Arinto

Arinto or Arinto de Bucelas is a white Portuguese wine grape planted primarily in the Bucelas, Tejo and Vinho Verde regions. It can produce high acid wines with lemon notes.-Synonyms:...

, Baga

Baga (grape)

Baga is a red Portuguese wine grape variety planted primarily in the Bairrada DOC. As a varietal, Baga produces tannic wines with high acidity.-Synonyms:...

, Castelao Nacional, Fernao Pires

Fernão Pires

Fernão Pires is a white Portuguese wine grape grown throughout Portugal but most notable in the Tejo and Bairrada where it is also known as "Maria Gomes". This varietal is known to produce wines with a spicy aromatic character, though often with delicate exotic fruity notes...

, Periquita

Periquita

Periquita , also known as Castelão and João de Santarém, is a red wine grape found primarily in the south coastal regions but is grown all over Portugal and is sometimes used in Port wine production. The name is derived from the Portuguese term for parakeet. The vine thrives in sandy soils but is...

, Rabo de Ovelha

Rabo de Ovelha

Rabo de Ovelha is white Portuguese wine grape variety that is grown all over Portugal. It should not be confused with the red Rabo de Anho grape variety that is found in the Vinho Verde region. Rabo de Ovelha is an authorized grape variety in the Bairrada, Borba, Bucelas, Redondo, Reguengos,...

, Tinta Amarela

Tinta Amarela

Tinta Amarela is a red wine grape that is commonly used in Port wine production. The grape is noted for its dark coloring. Its use in the Douro region has been increasing in recent years. The vine is susceptible to rot and performs better in dry, hot climates....

, Trincadeira das Pratas, Ugni blanc and Vital.