Harvest in the Algarve

IN PORTUGAL, THE LANDSCAPES OF THE WINE-PRODUCING REGIONS ARE BREATHTAKING ALL YEAR ROUND, BUT EVEN MORE SO DURING HARVEST WHEN THE WORK OF A YEAR BEARS FRUIT. GET READY FOR THAT SPECIAL TIME

Words: LÍVIA MOKRI

You could spend time on the beach or on the golf course, or you could have a real experience and take part in this year’s harvest

THE HARVESTING PROCESS, despite being carried out with good cheer and a lot of joy, is time-consuming. As a rule, it takes place in September and October, but is always dependent on summer temperatures and the amount of rainfall during the year, which decrees when the grapes are ripe, and their weight, colour, and acidity are at precisely the best point for wine production.

A simple and traditional check – when the grapes’ stalks are withered and the skins of the berries begin to contract – is the usual indicator, but it is up to the producers themselves to judge when the time is right for the grape variety itself and the type of wine they intend to produce.

A rainy summer, for example, could result in a postponed harvest date as, when the soil is cooler, the grape will take longer to reach the necessary maturation point.

In the Algarve, because of the constantly warm weather, the harvest is generally carried out in August since the grapes ripen earlier than in the cooler parts of the country.

When the time is right, the fully ripe bunches of grapes are hand picked using a pair of scissors for speed, and anything less than perfect is disposed of. Picking is usually followed by pressing - the fruits go into tanks where workers or guests trample them, tied together, the experience made all the more enjoyable when accompanied by music from a local group. This characteristic atmosphere is still present here in Portugal, although the large wineries naturally use more technological methods.

Blue grapes for rosé and red wines are crushed and separated from the stem using a press-crusher machine, but white wine is made in a different way – immediately after pressing, the juice is separated from the seed and skin of the fruit. In order to increase the flavours released, the skins of the white grapes might be left in the juice for 12 to 24 hours.

The production of good quality wines requires carefullycontrolled alcoholic fermentation and the presence of a specific number of useful yeasts, as well as temperature control, prevention of oxidation, and proper treatment of the skins floating in the must.

Regardless of the region, the harvest is an important event in the calendar, bringing people together with the aim of having fun and working together for the common goal of producing good wine.

During the harvest time, several wineries offer tour programmes allowing visitors to be part of this experience –including harvesting and treading the grapes and enjoying a lunch of traditional food and tasting of local wines.

These are just two of the Quintas where you can participate ...

Herdade Barranco Do Vale

The Herdade Barranco do Vale vineyard is located in São Bartolomeu de Messines, between the ocean and the mountains of Monchique where, in addition to the vineyards, there are cork, carob, olive, and pine trees.

This producer’s amazing wines were awarded gold and silver medals not only in the Algarve Wine Contest this year but also at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and at the International Wine Challenge, so it has much to celebrate.

To book your place to take part in their harvest experience, email geral@hbv.pt

Estrada Municipal 510, Sitio dos Campilhos, 8375-021 São Bartolomeu de Messines hbv.pt/en/

Cabrita Wines

This family-run winery is half a century old and continues its aim to value Portuguese and native Algarve grape varieties. This year’s Harvest Experience, in August, starts at 08:00 with a coffee break and introduction to the Cabrita history, after which the harvest will get underway. A few hours later, you get your opportunity to foot stomp the grapes and enjoy a big lunch.

Check the winery’s social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) – @cabritawines – for details, dates and times. The tickets will be available at the Cabrita website.

Quinta da Vinha, Sítio da Vala 8300-032 Silves cabritawines.com

Words: SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND

BEAU M c CLELLAN IS THE TALENT BEHIND SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS. HERE IN THE ALGARVE HIS DESIGN BRAVADO KEEPS HIM IN THE SPOTLIGHT… AND IN DEMAND