Geraz do Minho Local Custom Tips by Bwana_Brown

Vinyards

The Minho region is noted for producing Portugal's famous carbonated 'vinho verde' or green wines, which we occasionally enjoyed on our trek around the country. Everywhere we drove in this area, we saw vinyards growing in backyards, beside the highway and on hillsides. Here, we came across a typical arrangement at Moreira do Rei, east of Fafe, showing how the vines are supported off the ground by a lattice affair. On our travels through Portugal, we found a cold glass of 'vinho verde' to be a refreshing drink after climbing around various mountain top fortresses!

Tall Haystacks

On our way south from Cabeceiras de Basto, I was intrigued to see these tall Portugese-style haystacks outside of the village of Canedo de Basto! I don't know how they put them together, but it looks like a lot of work to me! A few vines growing in the foreground are probably used to help make some of the local wines!

Update: VT-member 'JohntheFinn' tells me that they have similar haystacks in Finland, with the hay formed around a vertical stave with crosspieces!