Medronho - an Algarve strong fruit brandy
In the 9th century BC the Phoenicians introduced the production of wine to Iberia. In 1980 the Algarve wine region (Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão, and Tavira) was finally demarcated.
In Algarve - white, red, and liqueurous castas are are authorized in the demarcated region.
Lagos is a wine producing region famous for its moscatel wine, and also for a strong alcoholic spirit. "Medronho" is perhaps one of the most famous local brews made from distilled medronho berries.
Originally created in back room stills, Medronho is now a commercial product chiefly in Silves and Monchique. The aguardente de medronho is made with berries from "The Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.)" which is an evergreen shrub shown above. (the fruit sometimes called arbutus-berry, looks a little like strawberries).
The following designations for spirit drinks in the European Union are listed for the Algarve.
Aguardente do Algarve
Bagaceira do Algarve
Medronheira do Algarve