Rita Cardoso Pinto introduced Quinta do Pinto wines, travelling from the family estate north of Lisbon, which is known by the locals as Quinta do Anjo (angel).
The seven wines Rita brought with her – featuring French varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah as well as classic Portuguese blends - certainly provided a heavenly accompaniment to a delicious meal.
Luis and Andrea Pequeno are well known for the quality of both their food and the service at O Barradas, and the lunch certainly didn’t disappoint, starting with octopus salad, grilled prawn and bruschetta, followed by grilled fish and then lamb fillets with apple, finishing with mascarpone crêpe and mulberry ice cream.
The Jade Jazz Quartet was also much appreciated and their cool melodies ensured that the 64 members attending were suitably chilled before they left the shade of the O Barradas garden for the heat of an Algarve summer.
The AWS will now be taking a summer break: the next event is a tasting of Algarve wines at the Dona Filipa Hotel on 25 September.
More information on the AWS is available at www.algarvewinesociety.com and on Quinta do Pinto wines at www.quintadopinto.pt.