15 Dec 08 Best of Portugal
It’s not always easy to experience the best of what any single country can offer. For a country as complex as modern day Portugal, there’s always the chance of missing out of the best, with its mix of exotic cultures from various influences in towns and architectures, resorts and beaches and the cosmopolitan sophistication of its cities, restaurants and hotels. The internet is full of websites offering the wonderful sights and sounds of Portugal. But for Portugal Web, the best of Portugal come in both large and small packages:
Olive Oil
Recent statistical data point to Europe as the main source of olive oil, accounting to 93% of the world production of this exotic liquid. Greece, Spain and Turkey are the major producers of this cash crop. Portugal ranks 8th overall and has one of the finest quality olive oil products. The country is not only known as one of the best wine makers, its olive oil products are similarly prominent. Its olive groves found in the Moura regions, the Norte Alentejano the upper Douro as well as the Tras-os-Montes are often in close proximity with its vineyards.
As the warmest European country, Portugal enjoys the kind of climate that sustains olive and wine production. With a more rationalized DOP or Designation of Origin system and more modern cultivation techniques that include greater farm mechanization, we can see Portugal maintaining the world-class quality of its Olive products and just might overtake the three countries earlier mentioned as the prime source of this product.
Portuguese Wine
Portugal’s warm climate makes it a great region for cultivating grapes, and the wines that come from it. The fact is that Portugal ranks as one of the finest wine-producing countries on earth, second only to France. Its origins are a bit clouded in legends but it is clear that wine cultivation in Portugal started under the Greeks in the 7th Century BC. And the rest is history.
The two foremost wine producing regions Portugal are the Douro Valley and the Pico Island. These vineyards have now been regarded by UNESCO as world heritage sites. They produce some of the finest grape varieties called “castas” in Portuguese that include, Douro, Bairrada, Dao, Porto (port wines), Madeira, Vinhos Verdes, Colares and Algarve to mention some. The most famous among them is the Porto or Port wine and the Madeira, accounting for much of the country’s wine exports.
Equestrian
In the sporting world, while football is without doubt the most popular sport in Portugal, equestrian sports also figure as among the most favored with a tradition the dates back to the 18th century among the royalties and landed class. Not only has the sport retained its charm as a leisure activity, it is an integral part of it’s the country’s tourism attractions.
Equestrian sports evolved from the country’s storied militaristic and adventurist pasts. Horses have been interbred with other superior breed from the conquering nations that have settled in Portugal over the centuries resulting in the famous and popular Lusitano breed. It has likewise spawned an industry catering to equestrian accessories like saddles, bridles, stirrups among many handcrafted industries distributed around the world.
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