“70% of the wine produced in the Algarve is sold in the region, around 15% is for export and the rest to other regions of the country”, the president of the Algarve Wine Commission tells ECO/Local Online.

The Algarve Wine Commission (CVA) predicts a production increase of between 5% and 7% compared to last year's campaign, with a forecast of 1.7 million liters. The president of the Algarve Wine Commission explains that this growth (in the order of 5%) has been recorded over the last three campaigns and is the result of “the increase in the number of operators in the region”.

Sara Silva says that in ten years, the number of producers has doubled. In relation to jobs, he estimates that there are “surely 400”.

The Algarve wine leader tells ECO that the average price of certified wine in the Algarve is higher than the national price. “Last year, the average price of certified wine in catering and distribution was around 14 euros per liter, while nationally, the average price was just above six euros per liter.” Sara Silva further details that “with regard to restaurants alone, the average price per liter of certified wines from the Algarve was 19.25 euros, while the national average was 12 euros”. Last year sales in the national market (distribution and catering) were worth four million euros.

The president of the Algarve Wine Commission states that the “strategy involves growing through quality and not quantity”, taking into account that “growth is always limited”, as the region has only 1,400 hectares of vineyards, of which 800 hectares are intended for certified production.

The Algarve is essentially known for its sun and beaches and the “wines of the region ended up taking a backseat”. However, the sector found a business opportunity in tourism, wine tourism, which is sought after especially by foreign tourists coming essentially from the American market (USA and Canada). “Wine tourism has been one of our strategic visions for Algarve Wine”, highlights Sara Silva.

The president of the Algarve Wine Commission also adds that tourists are keen to “taste the local product and have a greater predisposition and preference for local products”.

Other strategies include raising awareness among local restaurants and hotels to introduce and taste Algarve wines to national and foreign tourists, taking into account that “Algarve is a gateway to all wines”. The leader of the Algarve Wine Commission observes that “they have a lot of competition” because “several operators and distributors go to the region to sell their wines” and that it is part of the mission to “promote what is local”.

With the mission of “promoting the region's wines in restaurants, hotels and distribution”, around 30 producers will meet at the first edition of the Algarve Wine Session, which takes place on October 14th, at the Hilton Vilamoura.