Tabuinhas is the diminutive of tábuas, meaning 'planks' or 'boards'. In this context, it refers to small wooden shutters or blinds, often found in traditional Portuguese houses.
It's an interesting word because it paints a vivid picture of the setting in Alfama, a historic neighborhood in Lisbon. The word evokes a sense of quaintness and tradition, as the character Mr. Vinho peeks through these 'little planks' to see Mariquinhas sleeping, adding a charming and slightly mischievous touch to the narrative.
Mr. Wine has a crush on the lively Mariquinhas, and he is so smitten that he spends his nights peeking through the wooden shutters just to watch her sleep. In the narrow streets of Alfama, even Júlia the half-blind florist can sense the sparks flying. Luísa Sobral spins this bit of neighborhood gossip into a whimsical tale where a humble glass of wine grows legs and a heart, tiptoeing through Lisbon in the name of love.
After ages of anxious waiting, the plucky suitor finally knocks on Mariquinhas’s door, heart in hand, only to be welcomed inside through her happy tears. When the shutters close and the pair settle down, listeners are left with the cozy aftertaste of intimacy, fado-tinged tradition, and the gentle magic that fills Alfama at night. It is a toast to courage, community, and the sweet boldness that sometimes lives at the bottom of a glass.