St Martin's Day - chestnut roast, jeropiga, and the Roman soldier story

St Martin's Day officially marks winter's start - though the weather often defies tradition. They say there are always a few sunny hours on this day (the famous "St Martin's Summer"), remembering the Roman soldier Martin who shared his cloak with a beggar: the sky returned the gesture with warmth.

The tradition is magusto: chestnuts roasted on bonfires (Carolina makes hers in the common room fireplace), with new-wine drinks - água-pé (still-fermenting wine) or jeropiga (boiled must with brandy, very sweet). In Santa Marta de Portuzelo, the parish holds a community magusto the closest weekend.

The Villa keeps open doors this day: we invite guests to the courtyard fire, with a glass of jeropiga on us. Arrive before 5pm to catch the sun.