This region comprises four Denominations of Controlled Origin: Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira.

Red wines produced in the region are velvety, little bodied, soft and have a fruity aroma. These wines are balanced, easy to drink and have good bottle-ageing potential. To improve the wines’ colour, the area occupied by the Crato Preto (Trincadeira) grape was diminished and the cultivation of the Castelão grape variety increased, though the soil in the Algarve is not the most appropriate for this grape variety.

The Moscatel grape is used in the production of two types of dessert wine: sweet and dry. What distinguishes both is the amount of sugar in the must when brandy is added to the fermentation. This way, the sweet dessert wine has about 70g/litre, while the dry does not exceed 6g/litre.

In the 60s, the Crato Branco grape was also used in the production of a dry white dessert wine. If harvested very ripe and with some dried berries, this grape variety has good organoleptic qualities for the making of dessert wines.

White dessert wines are characterised by their amber colour and for being extremely aromatic. They taste of dry fruit, mainly walnut and almond, and have a long, persistent flavour.

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