wine

Apr 182017 Tagged with , , 0 Responses

Cork Oak – Quercus suber in Southern Portugal

Probably the one thing I love the most about Spain and Portugal is the countryside – and the Cork Oak fields.   Thousands and thousands of acres of trees stud the semi- wild fields and all of them have the tell- tale marks of cork stripping.  They’re semi-nude up to around 2.5m high and have trunks of varying colours depending upon which year their cork was harvested.  Pinky/red hued trunks = newly harvested – over the years the trunks gradually go grey and then black.

The Oaks cover the countryside and the wide canopied trees look so beautiful.  It’s such a pleasure to see land that isn’t completely just grass and it looks so completely natural.  I never get tired of driving through it.

Prior to writing this blog I did a bit of research – as you do….  never want to get facts wrong, and I came across this terrific article that you should check out.  It has a wealth of really interesting info. On the Cork Oak, history, the industry, how it’s harvested and grown, the value of cork and the varied uses for it – apart from corks for wine bottles!

Phil and I have both purchased beautiful cork wallets and if I get the chance to go shopping again… a pair of cork sneakers and a belt will be coming home too!

Please click on this safe link below and find out more about this terrific tree  – I found it really enlightening

www.saomarcosdaserra.com/cork.php

 

 

Facebook Twitter Google Email Email