What’s Next for Portugal’s Ancient Export: Cork?

The podcast explores Portugal's dominance in the global cork industry, questioning how a small nation became central to it and the security of this ancient material amidst climate change and shifting drinking habits. Winemaker Ricardo Santos explains cork quality and the importance of some oxygen entering the bottle for wine evolution. Historian Carlos Manuel Faísca discusses Portugal's rise to industry leadership in the 20th century due to economic policies and investment in raw material production, especially after Spain's civil war disrupted its industry. Regenerative farmer Francisco Alves details the Montado system, integrating livestock to enhance soil fertility, while chef Aurora Goy highlights the unique flavor of acorn-fed porco preto in Portuguese cuisine. Amorim, the world's largest cork manufacturer, is adapting to climate change by investing in new plantations and genetic research to improve cork oak resilience and shorten harvest times.