Are you a self-confessed wine connoisseur? Whether your bottle of choice is a rich, full-bodied red or a zesty, fragrant white, there is so much more to appreciating wine than simply drinking it. To truly value wine for what it’s worth, many enthusiasts travel to countries such as France, Italy and Chile, famous for their production of world-famous fine wines. After all, where better to sample your favourite wines than their countries of origin? If you’re looking to book a trip with wine in mind, here are some of the world’s most prestigious locations where vinification is celebrated as a cultural practice.
Italy
Along with its world-famous cuisine, Italy has long been renowned for its fine wine. With an ideal climate for grape cultivation and more than 4,000 years of winemaking experience, it’s easy to see why Italy is such a significant part of the world for wine connoisseurs. Furthermore, wine is an inherent part of Italian culture, often enjoyed daily alongside freshly-cooked meals to enhance flavours and improve the dining experience. From bubbly prosecco to rich, full-bodied Brunello, and from Piedmont to Sicily, there are some 350 official Italian wine varieties.
Chile
The narrow South American country of Chile is the world’s fifth-largest exporter of wine. Bright, herbal and aromatic, Chilean wine is known for its power and personality. The diverse landscape of Chile makes it ideal for cultivating a vast variety of grapes, the most common being Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère. Brought over by French conquerors and Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century, Chile has a rich history of winemaking, and the industry has undergone significant changes over the years. Consider visiting the Central Valley Region, the oldest wine region in Chile and a worthy wine-lovers pilgrimage.
Spain
Spanish wine is famed worldwide for its temperate climate, perfect for producing grapes such as Tempranillo, Grenache and Mencía. The tradition of winemaking in Spain stretches back more than 3,000 years, with the largest amount of vineyard land in the world, amounting to 969,000 hectares, many of which are organic. Lovers of red wine should visit the northern province of La Rioja, internationally renowned for its rustic cuisine featuring a range of fresh, local produce, not to mention its consistently high-quality wine and over 500 wineries.
Australia
There are many things Australia is famous for – natural beauty, diverse wildlife, unique cities and, of course, wine. Home to more than 100 grape varieties, Australia’s winemaking journey began in 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip introduced the first grape vines to Sydney. In the 235 years since Australia established itself as the world capital of Shiraz, and now exports roughly 800 million bottles of wine worldwide every year. There are a myriad of wine-based experiences to be had in Australia. However, the breathtaking town of Margaret River is truly a wine enthusiast’s paradise.
France
Another world-famous epicentre of wine is the elegant yet rustic beauty that is France. With such a rich tradition of historical winemaking, France is responsible for some of the world’s most recognisable wine varieties, from drinkable, crowd-pleasing Sauvignon Blanc to flamboyant and extravagant Château Mouton Rothschild from the Pauillac region in Bordeaux. Of course, while in France, the best way to enjoy wine is to pair it with local cheese for an exceptional flavour experience and an authentic taste of French artisan brilliance.
South Africa
South Africa is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries outside of Europe. With crowd-pleasing varieties aplenty, such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and, of course, South Africa’s signature Pinotage, Africa’s southernmost country is worth a visit if you want to steep yourself in rich winemaking history. South Africa’s first vineyard was planted in 1655 by Dutch settlers, and considering the near-perfect conditions, the country soon became a world-famous exporter of cool-climate wines.
China
While China may not be the first country that springs to mind when wine is mentioned, it is actually one of the top wine producers in the world. Historians believe that the first evidence of wine in China can be traced back to 9,000 years ago. However, it was during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) that winemaking became a prominent cultural tradition. China’s winemaking industry is now worth a staggering $42 billion, the most common cultivated grapes being Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Suitcase Publications 