Garrafeira Alfaia

Pedro Marques knows his wines and is a member the Confrade da Confraria do Periquita (Periquita Wine Brotherhood) â€" a great honour in Portuguese wine circles! Alfaia is equally respected for its gastronomy â€" an enviable choice of regional petiscos (snacks) that includes smoked sausages, cured hams, grilled prawns with garlic, melt-in-your-mouth cheeses and lots of other artisanal goodies prepared by chef Vitalina Marques. The more than 400 wines are all Portuguese, and sold by the glass or bottle. The comprehensive list is supplemented by selections of port, Madeira, aguardente and various liqueurs. The space is deceptively large, the beautifully decorated bar salon with its neatly stocked shelves and pata negra presunto suspended over the counter giving way to a larger seating area accessed through a stone rimmed portal. During warm summer evenings the wooden stools set outside on the pavement are quickly snapped up, and its here while you watch the world go by that you can best savor a crisp citrusy vinho verde ("green" wine) or throw caution to the wind and sip a rare Barca Velha, a noble red from the Douro Valley. Another special treat is their Quinta do Ribeirinho 1999, from Luís Pato. Pedro's own favourite is a Dão, Quinta da Fata "Touriga Nacional".