“The main objectives of this initiative are the promotion of quality and gastronomic diversity combined with the municipality’s wines as a product of excellence, so characteristic of the gastronomy of this region”, explained the Alentejo municipality, in a statement sent to the Lusa agency.

As part of the gastronomic week, "the aim is for participating restaurants to showcase, on their daily menu, regional gastronomic dishes where wine stands out as the main ingredient", added the municipality.

Leg of pork stewed in red wine, meatballs in herb sauce and red wine with Arabic rice, lamb in white wine or veal stewed in red wine accompanied by fried sweet potatoes are some of the options on the menus of participating restaurants.

Desserts have not been forgotten either, with suggestions such as conventional pudding with fortified red wine, drunken pear or liqueur wine cake with vanilla ice cream, quinces baked in white wine syrup and liqueur wine pudding, among others.

In addition to the gastronomic aspect, the event program features 17 parallel activities, namely a painting exhibition with works by Leonel Borrela and Francisco Alvito, at the Espelho D'Água restaurant.

For Sunday, at 8:30 am, the “In Search of Tarecos” tour is planned, guided by historian and wine critic Manuel Baiôa, while, on the 9th, at 6:00 pm, the Governor of Beja Gallery, in the castle of city, receives a “chat around the table”, with chefs João Engana and Ricardo Monteiro.

For the 11th, a tour of the “taverns with history” in the historic center of Beja is scheduled at 4:00 pm, while, on the following day, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova hosts, at 8:15 am, the tour “Around the cuisine and wine”, with Rita Soares and chef João Sousa.

'Showcooking' sessions, a mini wine dinner in another restaurant establishment, a commented wine tasting, opening of butchers at Adega Courelas da Quinta, in Trigaches, a magusto or the celebrations of World Wine Tourism Day (12th ) are also included in the program.

Gastronomic Week includes a draw of 10 prizes, awarded by the city council, in shopping vouchers worth between 50 and 200 euros, which can be consumed in participating restaurants until 31 January 2024.