WINE
TOASTING THE INFLUENCERS
WINE
TOASTING THE INFLUENCERS
TOASTING THE INFLUENCERS
Livia Mokri takes a look at the big names who boosted Portuguese wines by voicing opinion and passion. Read more in the October issue of AlgarvePLUS, not only about modern celebrities but also the unique group of British aristocratic and merchant families who established the Port wine industry
CELEBRITIES CELEBRATE
The pop legend of the Algarve: Sir Cliff Richard
We cannot talk about British star power in Portuguese winemaking without starting right here in the Algarve.
For decades, the pop icon Sir Cliff Richard was the ultimate ambassador for Southern Portuguese wine. Driven by a deep personal love for the Algarve lifestyle, Sir Cliff established the famous Adega do Cantor (The Singer’s Winery) in the rolling hills of Guia, near Albufeira.
Sir Cliff was certainly no hands-off investor and for many years he could be seen getting his hands dirty during the annual grape harvest, passionately involved in creating his own premium wines. His signature labels, Vida Nova and Onda Nova, became massive hits, winning international awards and putting regional Algarve wines squarely on the map.
Although he handed over the keys of the estate to local business minds a few years ago, Sir Cliff’s pioneering spirit remains legendary.
THE SCREEN STARS WHO CRIED OVER SYRAH
Dominic West and James Purefoy
If you want to know how deeply a Portuguese wine can move someone, you only need to look at British actors Dominic West and James Purefoy. West, famous for his roles in The Crown, teamed up with Purefoy (star of Rome and Altered Carbon) for the hit television documentary series, The Wine Show.
Their mission was to travel across Portugal and discover what makes its wine scene so incredibly magical.
As they journeyed through the country, Dominic West fell head over heels for the rugged charm of the Alentejo, calling it one of the most stunning and underrated wine andscapes on the planet.
But it was James Purefoy who stole the show with an admission that went viral among wine lovers. While visiting the beautiful Herdade do Maroteira estate in Alentejo, Purefoy tasted their famous Cem Reis Syrah Reserva. “It’s the first time a wine has ever made me cry,” he admitted.
Since that unforgettable television moment, both actors have become unofficial ambassadors, telling the British public that Portugal is hiding some of the best-kept secrets in the wine world.
THE TV CHEF WHO SPARKED A SUPERMARKET STAMPEDE
James Martin
Sometimes, a single sentence from a trusted celebrity can completely change the fortunes of a winery. That is exactly what happened when British TV chef and culinary expert James Martin, took a sip of a humble Portuguese red on the popular BBC show Saturday Kitchen.
The wine in question was Porta 6, a vibrant, easy-drinking red blend from the Lisboa region, packaged with a quirky, colourful label showing a traditional Lisbon tram.
Live on national television, Martin took a sip, looked directly into the camera and declared it: “one of the best red wines I have tasted in the ten-year history of this show.”
Within hours of his comment, supermarkets and wine shops right across the United Kingdom were completely cleaned out of Porta 6.
The wine merchant’s website crashed due to overwhelming traffic, and a massive national wine shortage ensued.
Martin’s casual endorsement turned a hidden Portuguese gem into a household name overnight. That’s power, no question.
