Portugal has a lot to offer, but the Azores are a unique place. From wine production and culinary specialties to sights, myths, and legends – join us on a journey through the Azores!
The Azores – a rediscovered gold mine
The Azores are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean that, according to historical accounts, was discovered by the Carthaginians before the Common Era. However, the coordinates were not recorded at the time, and so the islands disappeared from human memory for several hundred years before being rediscovered and geographically recorded by the Portuguese in the 14th century.
Wrong name by mistake
The name " Ilhas dos Acores ," as the archipelago is called in Portugal, translates directly as "Island of the Goshawks." However, there are no hawks in this region—the native buzzards were accidentally misinterpreted, leading to this actually "incorrect" name.
Atlantis does exist?
Who hasn't heard of the legendary city of " Atlantis ," which sank into the depths of the sea along with all its inhabitants? Today, some experts believe that Atlantis may actually have existed in some modified form. They point to the centuries-long disappearance of the Azores , which may have sown the seeds for this legend.
All good things come in 9s
Let's move away from the history and legends of the Azores and turn to the present. Today, nine major islands are known to comprise the Azores:
- Sao Miguel
- Santa Maria
- Pico
- Faial
- Sao Jorge
- Terceira
- Graciosa
- Flores
- Corvo
The Azores also include several small, uninhabited islands, which are usually overlooked.
Interesting facts about the region
As for the flora and fauna of the Azores, their distance from the mainland has led to their highly individual development. This has allowed the laurel forests typical of the Azores to develop, although these have since been increasingly displaced by the introduction of foreign plant and tree species.
Except for one species of bat, the islands are originally devoid of mammals . However, this lack of species is offset by the diversity of native marine life. Over 500 different species of fish live along the coasts, including 38 species of whales and dolphins !
Winegrowing in the Azores
Thanks to the volcanic soil and favorable climate, the Azores region has boasted numerous vineyards since ancient times. However, a relatively large portion was destroyed by imported pests such as mildew and phylloxera. Today, viticulture is concentrated only on the three islands.
- Graciosa
- Pico
- Terceira
The wine produced here can be called “ Vinho Regional ” and bears the nickname of the Acores (Azores).
Originally, Azores wines were produced for purely religious purposes and served as communion wine in the numerous, mainly Roman Catholic, churches.
The special nature of Azores wines
The range of wines produced in the Azores is almost exclusively limited to acidic white wines. The corresponding grapes are mainly grown in the following provinces:
- Terrantez
- Verdelho
- Arinto
- Viosinho
- Fernao Pires
Special feature : In the past, wines were fortified to make them suitable for transport. This method of improved storage is still used in the Azores today.
By “spiriting”, i.e. adding selected spirits, the fermentation process is interrupted and the wines reach an alcohol content of over 17% .
Azores wine: tips for connoisseurs
The Azores wines are particularly suitable for lovers of quality white wines who prefer a sour aroma.
The " white Verdelho " grape variety, native to the Mediterranean region, is used specifically to produce these typical wines. " Vinho Comun" and "Vinho Passado" are probably the most popular and well-known wines produced from these grapes.
Red wine lovers will also find suitable examples among the variety of Azores wines. The " Vinho do Cheiro ," a rich wine from the Pico region, impresses with its robust strawberry aroma, high alcohol content, and unique, acidic flavor.
Tip: The Azores are famous not only for their wines, but also for their fish. Thanks to the wide variety, there's something to suit almost every taste, with canned tuna being considered a particular delicacy.
The Azores in numbers – 10 facts about the archipelago
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Sao Miguel is the main island and, with an area of almost 747 square kilometers, the largest island in the Azores .
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The nine main islands are divided into three subgroups:
> Grupo Central: Pico, Sao Jorge, Terceira, Faial and Graciosa
> Grupo Occidental: Flores and Corva
> Grupo Oriental: Sao Miguel and Santa Maria
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The Pico volcano on the island of Pico is the highest mountain in Portugal .
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There is no snow or frost in the Azores. The only exceptions are the higher mountains, although the Pico volcano is often snow-covered.
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The wine-growing areas on the island of Pico , with an area of 987 hectares, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004.
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The Azores now have four airports accessible from all over the world. Furthermore, the number of tourists, mainly from European and North American countries, has increased rapidly in recent years.
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German holidaymakers only need to take their identity card with them when they go on holiday to the Azores – no further documents are required, as the Azores are part of Portugal and therefore part of the European Union.
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Over 12,000 hectoliters of wine are produced annually in the Azores, equivalent to 12 million liters .
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To protect the vineyards from destruction by salt water and strong winds, the growing areas are fenced with stacked lava stones .
- In addition to various types of wine, a brandy called Aguardente is produced on the island of Graciosa , which is also known and popular worldwide.
Conclusion
A visit to the Azores can prove to be very interesting and educational not only for wine lovers, but also for those curious about history and culture.
Due to the mild climate, a vacation on the Atlantic archipelago is worthwhile at virtually any time of year. Especially during the autumn late harvest, the islands appear in their full colorful splendor, accompanied by the sweet aroma of ripe grapes.
About the author
Inara Muradova is an SEO expert and corporate blogger. In addition to technical search engine optimization and SEO consulting, she actively supports companies with the conception and writing of professional blog posts.
