Algarve

Located at the southern tip of Portugal and protected from cold northerly winds by a mountain range, holidaymakers and vines alike bask in the Algarve’s warm Mediterranean climate. It may share the Alentejo’s enviably high sunshine hours (over 3,000 per year), but the Algarve does not experience the pronounced diurnal or seasonal variation which offers cool respite overnight or during the winter. Vineyards sites must be carefully selected. From west to east, the region is split into four DOCs which skirt the coast: Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira.