Cliff's vintage ready to hit the shops
The first vintage red wine from Sir Cliff Richard’s Portuguese vineyard will be available from July, it emerged today.
Vida Nova - Portuguese for ‘‘new life’’- will be on sale for about €12.
Tim Stanley-Clarke, who is looking after the UK side of Sir Cliff’s wine project, said 27,000 bottles had been produced.
Cliff bought the vineyard - at Quinta do Moinha in the Algarve - eight years ago and the seeds were planted for this vintage three years ago.
Mr Stanley-Clarke said: ‘‘They were growing dates and fruits but Cliff suddenly thought he could make some very good wine in the Algarve.’’
Portugal’s top wine-maker, David Baverstock, was brought in to supervise the project and the product was bottled three weeks ago.
Mr Stanley-Clarke said: ‘‘He (Cliff) is so excited about it. He loves Portugal and loves the idea of the rebirth of quality wine and vineyards in the Algarve.’’
The wine, which has an alcohol content of 13.5%, was launched earlier this week by the singer at the London International Wine and Spirits Trade Fair.
Cliff has now decided to invest in a winery, which will be built near the vineyard, in time for the 2003 harvest.
