I obviously have to much time today as I actually read a Sunday newspaper (even if it was the Moan on Sunday) whilst having breakfast.
As a very amateur wine enthusiast I am aware of the increasing trend to plastic corks and metal screw caps on wine bottles. Until recently I was also not aware that my new homeland (Portugal) was the major source of real 'corks'. On a recent trip to Lisboa (Lisbon) I ventured into the lower Alentejo where the vast forests of cork Oak are to be seen.
The Mail on Sunday carries a very interesting article on the eco system which surrounds these cork forests, including the impact of decreasing use on the worlds rarest big cat - the Iberian Lynx. Our local zoo in Lagos has some of these wonderful cats and apparently there are only 100 left in the wild.
Full article
HERE I am sure that true wine buffs (cue Aeroman) may have an opinion but if you get the choice then choose cork not plastic or screw cap.
