Wine tourism in full swing at Adega da Vidigueira

It’s called ‘Talha à Mesa’, it will take place at Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito, on the 23rd and 24th of March, with the aim of elevating the role of Talha Wine in Portuguese gastronomy. For this, renowned chefs with connections to Alentejo were invited, José Júlio Vintém, João Mourato and Pedro Mendes, who over the two days have the task of impressing visitors with their food suggestions that combine harmoniously with the wines from the carvings. In addition to wine lunches and dinners, the program includes showcooking in the vineyard and cellar, masterclasses on carved wines and a carved wine bar, among other activities included in the theme.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the chefs cook in a century-old vineyard and on Saturday afternoon, showcooking takes place in the cellar. But the program, taking place between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on Sunday, includes other activities that will allow visitors to participate and actively contact the chefs, especially because the idea is that «the event is educational and instill in the consumer the desire to explore the gastronomic potential of carved wine», says Luis Gradíssimo, from the event organization. All activities can be purchased individually with prices ranging from €10 to €65 with availability between 15 and 150 people. Tickets are on sale at Ticketline and on the Adega website.

«It is time to elevate the role of Vinho de Talha in Portuguese gastronomy and position it in a premium segment, as a wine par excellence for pairing with food, especially at this important moment in which its inscription in the National Inventory of Cultural Heritage has been approved. Intangible Material (INPCI) of Talha Wine Production», says José Miguel Almeida, president of Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito.

‘Talha à mesa’ has its first edition scheduled for the first weekend of Spring, but the Adega intends for it to be repeated every year because, for the guest chefs, «Talha Wine is increasingly a presence on restaurant menus and there are more and more gastronomic experiences to find dishes that harmonize with these new released aromas and flavors typical of a good Talha Wine» concludes the director.

The program includes a variety of activities that aim to show the relevance that Talha Wine can have in Gastronomy:

– Wine meals: Exclusive lunches and dinners, prepared by guest chefs (José Júlio Vintém, João Mourato and Pedro Mendes), paired with Talha wines;

– Talha Wine Masterclass: A special and very restricted tasting where different styles of Talha Wine will be tasted, combined with a little history and sharing of this ancient art;

– Showcookings in the Vine: Combining a culinary demonstration with pairing with Talha Wines, in the unique environment of a century-old vineyard in the region;

– 5 o’clock glass: a moment dedicated to snacks and Talha Wine, which includes the service of a selection of traditional snacks with Talha wine to accompany;

– Talha Wine Bar: A display of Talha Wines, from different producers, where you can taste and get to know different houses and wine profiles;

– Varied animation: Throughout the event, in different places and moments, different animation notes.

PROGRAM:

Saturday

– 11am-12pm: “Cozinha na Vinha” Show cooking at Vinhas Centenárias – João Mourato

– 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Talha à Mesa lunch with João Mourato

– 2:30 pm – 3 pm: Coffee & Digestive (Balcony | Spirits Room – Brandy and Fortified served from the barrel)

– 3-8pm: Talha Wine Bar & Musical Entertainment (Adega Velha)

– 3:30pm-4:30pm – Carved wine masterclass

– 5-6pm: “Cup of 5” – Regional snacks and Talha Wine

– 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: “Kitchen at the Cellar” Showcooking at the Cellar – Pedro Mendes

– 8pm – 10pm: Talha à Mesa Pedro Mendes Dinner & Entertainment

Sunday

– 11-12h: “Kitchen in the Vine” with José Júlio Vintém

– 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Lunch with José Júlio Vintém

– 2:30 pm – 3 pm: Coffee & Digestive (Balcony | Spirits room)

– (*optional) 3:30pm-4:30pm – Carved wine masterclass

– (*optional) 5-6pm: “5 o’clock cup”