Algarve Wine Tours - Adega Do Cantor

Posted on April 1, 2008 
Filed Under Now Drinking

Unlike the Douro, the Algarve isn’t really known as a wine producing region in Portugal, but not long ago we wrote a post about a great wine we stumbled on, from right here in the sunny south. What we didn’t know at the time, was more to the story of wine in the Algarve than we knew.

Vida Nova Wine

As the old saying goes, ‘one good thing leads to another’, and before long we discovered another Algarvian wine, Vida Nova. Curious about this new find, we ended up at the Vida Nova Vineyard: Adega do Cantor, in Guia. Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised with what we found.

Adega do Cantor is a full fledged bespoke winery, right here in the center of the Algarve, tucked away just behind a developed area of Albufeira. One would never imagine a find like this here, but what a treat it is. Established in 2003, it’s still considered a “new winery”, as far as wineries go, so its got some rooting and stabilizing to do before its in the league of its northern brethren, but from the well planned setup, it looks to be just a matter of time.

Adega-do-Cantor2

Not being able to help ourselves, we decided to become tourists in our own backyard for the afternoon - with Max the winemaker, as our guide. The first sight, was the never ending rows of trellises contorted skywards in what we learned is an innovative wiring system called “Smart Dyson”, developed in Australia by Dr. Richard Smart. His system divides the vine vertically for better light conditions, producing a better fruit and ultimately wine production. Like the award winning Cortes de Cima, in Alentejo, Adega do Cantor is the first winery in the Algarve to adapt this new system, and already seeing positive results. If you’ve had any of the Cortes de Cima wines, you’ll know Vida Nova is in very good company.

Vida Nova - Algarve Wine Tours

Close to where the wine alchemy happens, there is a look out and resting point protected from the sun by a large canopy; standing here all the eye can see is grape vines, and soon a blanket of green leaves protecting yet another years vintage, a beautiful and peaceful sight.

We headed into the production area, this is where the magic really happens; a spotless area of tall tanks ready and waiting to convert grape into wine. Here we learned two tanks are holding a vintage that will soon appear on our table. Max breaths, viniculture and his commitment to improving his wine, is palpable. We begin making the mental and visual transition of vine to wine, but the concept is only really clinched when we step inside the barrel cellar. With the sight of round wooden bellies stained red from the inside, and the damp woody aromas in the air - the grape is forgotten, and only its incarnation remains, wine.

Vida Nova Bespoke

We reach the point, were all that’s left to do is prime our pallet and taste the culmination of what we’ve seen…to the wine tasting! We tried the 2006 Vida Nova Tinto, Syrah, White and 2005 Reserva. We found the 2006 Tinto needs time, but the White, Rose and Reserva were very nice, so nice we ended up taking a few bottles home. The only one that’s left is the Rose, this blushing beauty is on hold for just the right dish, it’s also won an award from Gourmet Magazine, Visao, so it deserves some extra special attention. I’ll do a separate review on the Vida Nova Rose in a future post.

Adega-do-Cantor

Visiting Adega do Cantor was a treat - we spent a couple of nice hours touring, learning about wine and production in the Algarve, then topped all that hard work (working up a thirst) with a tasting, can’t get better than that. The only thing that was missing was the man who started it all, Sir Cliff Richard. Growing up his music fill my ears on many occasion, never did I imagine his vision would one day fill my glass. One of these days, I might just have to reminisce and try wine and song together.

If your curious, Adega do Cantor does provide wine tours and tastings to the public. So if you’re in the Algarve and looking for more to do than baking on the beach, this is a nice way to spend a few hours and see how this region is dispelling the myth, that the Algarve doesn’t have wine. We do, it’s still young but its got committed and innovative wine makers like Max making it happen.

To clear up any confusion, the winery is called Adega do Cantor due to it initial founder Sir Cliff Richard, its evolved into a cooperative since its initially started, the wine is named Vida Nova and the estate where it all happens is named Quinta do Miradouro. If your looking on the shop shelves for this wine, look for Vida Nova.

Wine Tasting Tours - Quinta do Miradouro

If you liked this article, you might also like these articles:
  • Brian Mehl Art Gallery
  • Adega Nova Restaurant
  • Rosé Wine: Fonte de Nico 2006

    • Comments

    2 Responses to “Algarve Wine Tours - Adega Do Cantor”

    1. fiona wilson on April 17th, 2008 12:47 pm

      We are tour operators in the Algarve , we have many American tourists coming to the Algarve.
      WE would like to see the tour for ourselve .
      could we book for weds 30th April in the morning.

      Thank you
      Kind Regards
      Fiona Wilson

      apardogolf.com

    2. Brian Mehl Art Gallery on September 11th, 2008 9:13 pm

      [...] Mehl, an extraordinary painter whose acrylic painting of Sir Cliff Richard’s Adega do Cantor can be seen on the Vida Nova wine label and various painting at the Praia d”Oura and the Oura [...]

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