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Wine and Dine: 5 Extraordinary Wine Regions in Europe
Wine and Dine: 5 Extraordinary Wine Regions in Europe
If you are a true wine-lover, you should certainly make it a priority to discover the best wine regions in the world. Not only will you get to visit the vast green vineyards and ancient cellars; you will also get to experience the aromas and flavors of the best wines in the world! Most of these spectacular wine regions can be found in Europe, including the five regions listed below:
Bordeaux Region, France
You know your glass will never run dry here. With a total vineyard of over 120,000 acres, Bordeaux is the largest wine growing region of the world’s largest wine-producing country. Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon prosper here, as well as gargasites such as Chateau Valandraud. There are several producers all over Bordeaux, but the famed village of Saint-Émilion offers historical attractions as well as vineyard tours and wine tastings.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is mostly known for producing the world-renowned Chianti Classico and its so-called “Super Tuscans,” but the city is comprised of several beloved individual wine regions. The aromas and flavors of Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Carmignano will pleasantly greet you here. For a truly unforgettable glass, visit Castello del Trebbio, a palace-turned-winery on the outskirts of Florence. Apart from wine, another wonderful feature of Tuscany is the region's lush landscape with its rolling hills and leafy vineyards.
Champagne-Ardenne, France
Every year, Champagne-Ardenne produces bubbly wines by the millions of cases. While you’re here, dedicate a few days to tastings and tours of a few of the famous Champagne-producing houses headquartered in Reims. At some, you can explore wine cellars that were carved into the limestone below the city centuries ago. Of course, you must sample the classics: Dom Perignon, Cristal, and Veuve Clicquot. Take one sip of these luxurious sparkling wines, and your eyes will be sparkling as well.
Douro Valley, Portugal
While fortified wines around the world have become known simply as “Port,” there is only one place to get the real deal. Ports are typically sweet red wines, and the grapes used to produce them are cultivated along northern Portugal’s Douro River. As you travel through the wine country, the railway line along the Douro will take you through several tunnels and bridges, making the journey alone a remarkable experience. In Gaia, you’ll discover the cellars that store and age Port--and most of them offer tours and tastings. Find a tasting room that offers port/chocolate tasting flights, because port and chocolate pair perfectly together.
Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley is France's most diverse wine region, as it produces exemplary wines in every style you can imagine. Even with such variety, Loire Valley wines still share important characteristics that make them perfect for contemporary taste. With that being said, every vineyard here is surely unique, unparalleled and worth discovering. Here, you'll try sweet muscadets, crisp sauvignon blancs and smoky cabernets. More specifically, you must try the valley’s best sweet wines: Bonnezeaux, Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume, all made from Chenin Blanc.
Once you visit these wine regions, you will enjoy and appreciate wine in ways you never imagined. Fortunately, various travel programs and cruise lines travel to these regions so people can experience winemaking at its finest. So if you are truly a wine-lover, contact a travel agent today!