The name of this wine is associated with a twelfth century legend. It is about conquering, again, of one of many Alentejo villages by the Portuguese knights. This legend goes back to the time when this Alentejo village was in the hands of the North African Moors and D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was striving to recapture the land, in order to expand the young nation. He did recently proclaim its independence.
It is the tale of Salúquia, the daughter of a noble Moor and the bride of the young Alcaide (a sort of Mayor) of the castle.
Looking out from the top of one of the Castle’s towers, Salúquia was awaiting for the return of Alcaide, her bridegroom, who had gone to fight the Portuguese knights. They were, however, advancing on the village. They ambushed the young Alcaide and captured him. Then, after dressing in the Moors’ clothing, by this trickery, they persuaded the occupants to open the castle gates, and thus captured the village.
Alentejo has been a peaceful land for many centuries. Today, from the Castle Gates (Porta do Castelo), you can see the vineyards that produce this typical Alentejo wine.
