The southernmost wine-growing region of Portugal, directly on the coast, is primarily a tourist magnet and offers one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe. The region lives primarily from tourism and less so from wine. The wine of the Algarve was popular in the country in the 14th and 15th centuries, but it was a fortified, dry wine that matured in a solera under flor yeast, similar to a sherry or a Montilla Mores. The Adega de Lagoa cooperative still produces this style of wine today.
The wines of the Algarve first came to the attention of the public at the end of the last century, when the British singer and pop star Cliff Richard bought a winery in the Algarve. He enlisted the help of David Baverstock, one of Portugal's most accomplished winemakers and, incidentally, a non-Portuguese, whose work proved that there was certain ageing potential in the region. This has aroused interest, so that the region is now very gradually blossoming.
Primarily, white wines are produced here. Apart from tourism, cork production is an important economic activity.
