It started out as a group of friends who met every month to taste and discuss the best wines and food that the Algarve had to offer. Now, it has become one of the Algarve’s largest groups of wine lovers.
We’re talking about Confraria do Bacchus de Albufeira, famous for organising the town’s Portuguese Wine Show, which will take place this weekend (May 16-18) at Albufeira’s EMA exhibition hall for the seventh year in a row.
Formed in 2007, the association has been steadily growing and just last month celebrated its eighth anniversary.
It currently features 75 members, including some regional heavyweights such as Albufeira mayor Carlos Silva e Sousa.
Speaking to the Resident, vice-president of Confraria do Bacchus Helena Dias said she has no doubts the creation of the Confraria has proven a “success”.
Its staple wine show has “exceeded all expectations” and, in just two years, the number of wine producers who feature in the show has “doubled”.
“This year we have even had to say ‘no’ to around 20 producers,” Dias told us.
But the group’s success isn’t measured only by the wine show, she explained.
The members gather every month for their usual ‘pow-wow’, and often try to raise money for the needy with charity events.
Recently, the group held its first charity walk in Paderne with over 200 participants and was able to raise food, clothes and hygiene products for three local charities as well as purchase new polo shirts for the local firemen.
Besides their love of good food and wine, they also share a passion for Albufeira and the local community, which is why the group is always open to new members.
There are still no plans to expand to other towns, but the Confraria promises it has some new tricks up its sleeve.
For now, Dias told us, the group is concentrated on its wine show, but later this year it will be holding its first ‘Rally Paper’ wine treasure hunt. Other events will also be announced soon.
For more information on Confraria do Bacchus de Albufeira and its activities, visit:
Facebook: confrariabacchusalbufeira | www.confrariabacchusalbufeira.com
By MICHAEL BRUXO
[email protected]
