Algarve

The Algarve wine region was regulated in 1980 on an area corresponding to the general boundaries of the region itself. At that time, only wines eligible for the Designation of Controlled Origin from Lagos Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira were certified. The Algarve's Adegas Cooperativas encountered early economic and financial difficulties, culminating in the closure of the Adega Cooperativa de Tavira (1992) and the Adega Cooperativa de Portimão (1997). Later, Adega Cooperativa de Lagos and Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa merged, giving rise to the Adega Cooperativa do Algarve. Since 1998, the Commission has begun to improve and rejuvenate the viticultural structures in the region, leading to the renewal of approximately 400 hectares of vineyards throughout the Algarve by 2005.