Rab, Try the Fita Preta Vinhos “Sexy” Rose 2006 at about $18. Its from the Alentejo region in Portugual. I’m not normally a rose fan, but this one has so much primary fruit, it really won my vote. It’s not...

As for wines, if the weather is warm, a crisp vinho verde is always lovely. If your friend prefers red wine, then I would look for something from the Alentejo region.

beauties, a glass of Alentejo red in hand.

and association, Casa do Alentejo which also has nice cheeses, olive oils, and nice/cheap handmade dishes, plates, olive oil cruets, etc. If you are looking for culinary delicacies, I would recommend places such as Charcutaria...

If you are up Braseiro way, you might be interested in trying out Casa Alentejo, who currently have a $10 Portuguese grilled chicken takeaway special (plus tax, presumably). I have NOT tried their chicken yet – this must be...

restaurant very close to where you are staying though I have never tried it: Restaurant Casa Alentejo, 5938 rue St-Hubert (514) 272.9797. It is between Rosemont and rue de Bellechasse (one street north). Perhaps someone else has...

of Monte Velho wine of the Alentejo region, with fruit (blackberry) and slight hint of oak.This is a great red from the deep south of Portugal north of the Algarve coast, where Fatima spends time at her European retreat.A classic...

No mention of Alentejo yet... If you find yourself in Evora (neat World Heritage site, a few hours from Lisbon), O Fialho is a MUST. We were told it was considered one of the best restaurants in Portugal, so we thought it was...

of France (with lesser amounts from the Sud-Ouest, Alsace or the Jura); the Douro, Dão and Alentejo regions of Portugal; or the Rioja (Alta or Alavesa), Ribera del Deuro, La Mancha and Priorato regions of Spain.

Luzia’s sounds good, but I don’t see porco Alentejana (pork with clams, Alentejo-style) on the menu. It’s my favorite Portuguese dish. I think I had it 3 times in Lisbon, and it was different every time.

wife opted to start with the hamachi, while I had the special pork terrine. At Paul’s suggestion, I tried a wonderful red from Portugal, Herdade do Peso, Aragones, 2000, Alentejo. Since it wouldn’t have paired well...

wine list...We had a bottle of Barba, a white from the Alentejo region, for $12....Only a few bucks more than retail! It was sharp, crisp, and dry, a big hit. And a big surprise for my friend, who thinks all Portuguese whites are...

how to cook the dishes myself. I found Portuguese Homestyle Cooking and thank God, the recipes were similar to what I’m used to eating and they turned out great – now I can have Alentejo pork with clams anytime!...

or chocolate covered fruit. The second time, it was while drinking a 1.79 Euro bottle of Alentejo while in Portugal. Both of these bottles were so much better than I thought they would be, and yet they were as cheap as pop. As a...

with European sensibilities (wine as a necessary beverage) tend to buy in bulk, or have started to make their own. I do remember the first time I realized how cheap everyday wine could be in Europe. I nearly wept. And don’t...