According to figures revealed by the Algarve Wine Commission (CVA), the production growth resulted mainly from the plantation of new vineyards.
This year, the Algarve’s wine production is expected to register an increase of five per cent compared to 2022, with producers managing to counteract the drought situation, revealed the president of the Algarve Wine Commission (CVA).
Speaking to Lusa news agency, Sara Silva said that the Algarve’s 50 wine producers expect production to grow by five per cent in 2023, after a decrease between six and seven per cent in 2022.
“The sector in the Algarve has been adapting, particularly by investing in intelligent irrigation systems and usingindigenous varieties, which has allowed it to fight the drought,” she explained.
The president of the Algarve Wine Commission highlighted that “producers are aware of the need to use an effective irrigation system and are also increasingly aware of issues of environmental sustainability”.
This year, the unusually hot and dry weather resulted in an earlier harvest than usual, “starting in mid-July and ending in September”, and is expected to produce 1.6 million litres of wine.
According to the figures, the production growth resulted mainly from the plantation of new vineyards. The region’s 50 producers have a planted area of around 1,400 hectares, with half of this area producing “quality wine” with geographical indication and designation of origin.
There are four designations of origin in the Algarve (Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Tavira). However, most wine is sold under the geographical indication designation.
Wine production is booming in the region. According to Sara Silva, the Algarve averages between three and four new producers per year. The president of the CVA also noted that there has been an “increasing use” of the indigenous Negra Mole grape variety as a differentiating product produced in the region. “The increase of this variety in the last two years also has environmental benefits because it is more resistant to climate change”, she concluded.
