We were greeted by AWS member Lone Kallqvist, who
organized the visit, and Teresa, who conducted the tour
of the winery. The winery was started in 1999 and today
its total annual production is about 100,000 litres of
very drinkable reds, whites and rosés from 25 ha. of
vines. Their best known names are Tapada da Torre and
Alvor.
Upon entering the cool interior of the Quinta, the
group saw a number of huge terracotta Ali Baba style
pots, competing in importance with the more usual
stainless steel vats and the oak barrels that were
standing alongside. Teresa explained that these pots,
being quite porous, were no longer part of the wine
storage system used today. Until quite recently they
were, however, used for the everyday wines that were
meant to be consumed quite young. More sophisticated
methods are now in use, with thermostatically controlled
stainless steel vats to ferment the grapes, with the
reserva reds being matured in oak barrels before being
bottled on the estate.
After the tour, open bottles of wine were waiting on
a delightful covered terrace for the AWS members to
taste. First we tried a dry, very pleasant white named
Alvor, made from the Arinto and Siria grapes. Then we
moved on to their very interesting deep pink rosé made
from 100% Syrah.
And finally the reds. First was Foral Albufeira, made
from a blend of 4 grape varieties and definitely a wine
to accompany red meats. The tasting ended on a high note
with the Alvor Reserva 2004, a Silver award winning
wine, which was also a blend but this time with Cabernet
Sauvignon, and the recently bottled Alvor Red 2006.
It was time to take our leave, say our farewells, and
head off down the road to the nearby Res taurant Solar
do Farelo. A long leisurely lunch ensued. A wonderful
lobster bisque with freshly baked rustic breads was the
impressive start to the meal, followed by a choice of
the most tender roast duck à l'orange or succulent lamb
casserole in individual earthenware dishes. Both were
equally well received, and the Morgado da Torre wines
kept pace with the lively conversation around the room.
The meal was rounded off by a selection of traditional
Portuguese puddings and fruits, accompanied by a
delicious sweet dessert wine, with coffee for those who
still had room. It had been yet another thoroughly
enjoyable Algarve Wine Society day out.
The next events on the AWS calendar will be a tasting
of Dão wines followed by dinner at Barringtons in Vale
do Lobo on November 21st and the traditional Christmas
lunch at the Orangerie in Villa Monte on December 12th.
If you are interested in having further information
about, or applying for membership in, the Algarve Wine
Society please contact the Secretary, Larry Hampton by
email: hampton@mail.telepac.pt.