Gouais Blanc (goo-AY blahnk)

One of the ancient “founder varieties” and as such, a parent and grandparent to a slew of other varieties, including such disparate varieties as riesling, muscadelle, blaufrankisch, and colombard.

How often can cork bark be harvested from cork oak trees?

A. Every year, just like grapes

B. Once every 50 years

C. Once every 3 years

D. Once every 9 years

Cork oak trees can be harvested for the first time for cork bark after about 25 years. Thereafter, the tree bark is harvested every 9 years. A cork tree will be “stripped,” on average, sixteen times in its 150 to 200 life. There is a saying in Portugal (where most of the world’s cork oak forests exist) that: Nature got it wrong–there should be a cork harvest every year, but women should have babies just once every nine years.

14

Number of days ahead of the 10-year average start date for harvest in the Champagne region of France. The kick-off dates vary by each village and grape varietal, but some began picking as early as… Continue reading

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