‘They hail from around the country, but their passion for Portuguese wines knows no bounds’
Meet the Wine Experts
Even with the presence of the crème de la crème of international chefs, the Gourmet Culinary Extravaganza would not be complete without exceptional wines. Led by António Lopes, head sommelier of the Conrad Algarve, the finest team of Portuguese wine experts will be on hand to enhance the culinary event of the year
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HEY HAIL FROM around the country, but their passion for Portuguese wines knows no bounds. We’re talking about the team of sommeliers that, led by the head sommelier of Conrad Algarve, António Lopes, will be lending their expertise and working their magic to ensure each gourmet event reaches new heights of ambrosial pleasure. Ten of the country’s finest wine purveyors will create a tailored selection of Portuguese wine pairings for each event featured in the programme, which runs from October 29-31 at the Conrad Algarve hotel in Quinta do Lago.
On the opening night on Saturday (October 29), for which the Hilton chefs will create a seven-course gourmet meal at Gusto, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, seven sommeliers will each choose the ideal wine pairing for each individual course: Caroline Zagalo, of Quinta das Lágrimas in Coimbra; Miguel Martins, of Restaurante Bela Vista and Garrafeira Sommelier, in the Algarve; Sérgio Antunes, from Lisbon’s Restaurante Loco; Ricardo Morais, of Simplify Somm; João Chambel, from Estado d’Alma in Lisbon; Carlos Monteiro, of Casa de Chá Boa Nova in Matosinhos; and the Conrad’s own António Lopes.
For the more informal BBQ Brunch, which takes place at the poolside restaurant Dado on Sunday (October 30), the Lebanese cuisine served by chef Joe Barza will be enhanced by a special selection made by the hosting sommelier, along with Nuno Jorge, the creator of Cacao di Vine wine chocolates. On the same afternoon, António Lopes is joined by fellow winner of the title ‘Sommelier of the Year’ João Chambel, along with Miguel Martins, for a Wine Pairing Masterclass, with the presence of chef Osvalde da Silva.
The highlight of the entire programme is the Underground Culinary Extravaganza on Sunday evening, where nine of the sommeliers will personally select the wines to match the seated dinner as part of the Garage Party with live entertainment. Joining Caroline Zagalo, Miguel Martins, Sérgio Antunes, Ricardo Morais, João Chambel, Carlos Monteiro and António Lopes are Teresa Barbosa of João M Barbosa Vinhos, and Bruno Antunes from the Wineman project.
On the final day, the antipasti, pasta & pizza creations of the Pasta Party Lunch at Gusto will be paired with the wine selections of Algarve duo Miguel Martins and António Lopes, while the Closing Dinner at the same venue will see Teresa Barbosa, Miguel Martins, Sérgio Antunes, Ricardo Morais, João Chambel, Nuno Jorge and António Lopes harmonise the seven-course gourmet experience with the finest Portuguese labels for the ultimate culinary experience.
