Wine has a wonderful way of bringing people from all walks of life together. I asked a couple of travel bloggers to tell me more about their favourite wine regions to visit to inspire you to venture a bit further afield with your choices. We all have a style of wine that we prefer, but it is also easy to get stuck buying the brands you know and are comfortable with. I am like a kid in a candy store when I find a good wine merchant and find it really difficult not to want to buy at least a couple of bottle of wine that I have never tried before.

I am not suggesting that you need to break the bank when you buy wine, but once you have read this, hopefully, you will be inspired not to buy your normal tipple, but rather try a wine from one of these areas. You might even discover a new favourite!

INTERESTING WINE REGIONS TO VISIT

USA – MICHIGAN

Michigan is not what you think of when you think wine, I get that, I was surprised too. But it’s there and there’s a lot of it, and it’s good. There’s a spit of land which reaches north from Traverse City, it’s a peninsula into what is called Grand Traverse Bay, a part of Lake Michigan, and it is jam-packed with wineries.

For me, a visit to any winery is as much about the wines as it is about the scenery. And the scenery up here is stunning. Gently rolling hills coated in green, the lake shimmering off in the distance, new vineyards sprouting up around you, and if you time it right foliage is stunning.

Reds, yellows, oranges, trees dying in a burst of colour. As for the wine, the grapes are mostly European. The most popular red you’ll find is a Pinot Noir and the most popular white is a Riesling. I’d recommend booking a tour and hitting up as many wineries as possible while maintaining responsibility on the road. But one in particular that I recommend is Brys Estate.

Caitlin  –The Country Jumper

 

USA – TEXAS

When you think of Texas, you probably think of cowboys, horses, and women with big hair.  While all of that is true, what if I told you that you should also be thinking of wine?  Yes, you read that correctly, wine.  Texas is quickly becoming one of the premier wine regions around the world.  As of this publication, Texas was the 4^th largest wine producer in the United States boasting over 200 wineries that produce over 4,100 tons of grapes a year!

If you are visiting Texas to partake of the juice of the vine, then you need to head for the Texas Hill Country, and more specifically, Fredericksburg, Texas.  Fredericksburg boasts over 50 wineries and vineyards and is considered to be the epicentre of Texas wine production.  Combine that with the fact that there are dozens more wineries located within an hour or two drive and you can easily see how Texas is becoming a premier wine region around the world.

There are so many fabulous things to do in Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country region that you are sure to keep yourself entertained.  Fredericksburg offers easy access to all of the wineries by providing a wine shuttle that you can “hop-on and hop-off” of all day.  After you are done visiting the wineries, take time to walk Main Street (with a glass of wine in hand) and visit all of the boutique shops before settling in for an awesome dinner to end your evening.  Honestly, the Texas hill country might make you think you have been transported to Italy.

Michelle – That Texas Couple

 

 

USA – OREGON

The Willamette Valley in Oregon stretches from Portland to Eugene and has some of the state’s best, most respected wineries. Chances are, if you’ve tasted a phenomenal pinot noir recently, it comes from the Willamette Valley wine region.

This area’s climate, with its cool nights and temperate summers, makes it ideal for growing pinot grapes. The region has attracted winemakers focused on a complex flavour profile, not just a high Brix. You won’t find many fruit bomb wines from the Willamette Valley; instead, expect earthy reds and whites that avoid a heavy-handed saccharine flavour.

Lately, the Willamette Valley wine region has been all about pinot noir rosé. These aren’t your grandmother’s super-sweet roses but rather a wine that is just made for sipping on a summer afternoon. (Bet on the sparkling pinot noir rose from Stoller. It’s not only delicious but the winery’s grounds—complete with Adirondack lawn chairs and a tire swing—are made for relaxed wine tasting.)

Pay special attention to visiting the Dundee Hills AVA, 45 minutes southwest of Portland. Here, your only frustration—beyond the sometimes congested highway through town—is that there are simply too many world-class wineries to visit in one go.

If you like wine and you’re a parent, you’ll love Catherine’s tips on how to go wine tasting with kids!

Catherine – To & Fro Fam

 

CANADA – NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

Canada may not be known for wine but there are actually some thriving wine regions in the country. One of the biggest is Niagara-on-the-Lake in Southern Ontario. Only a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls and 1.5 hours away from Toronto it’s a charming area to explore and get away from the big crowds of the city.

The most common grape varieties in the region are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay and because of the climate, there are also an array of delicious ice wines. With a high sugar content, they’re typically enjoyed with desserts or strong cheeses.

The region itself has several large wineries like Peller Estates, Jackson Triggs, Trius and Stratus. There are also charming smaller wineries like Ravine which offer picturesque lunches overlooking their vineyards. For delicious organic wines check out Southbrook or to learn about a family-run winery visit Pillitteri Estates. You can easily book tours and tastings and some places, like Peller, offer chocolate pairings too!

After all the wine tasting there are other fun activities in the area. Go shopping in the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, catch some local theatre, play golf or take a walk along the Niagara River and check out one of Canada’s main attractions, Niagara Falls.

A great way to get around the vineyards is a bike tour. Check out this travel guide to Niagara-on-the-Lake which offers a map to the different wineries with two great biking paths.

Natasha – “And Then I Met Yoko”

 

 

AUSTRALIA – THE HUNTER VALLEY

The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s best-known wine regions. The region extends from about 120km North of Sydney to the coast of NSW, encompassing the more populated coastal towns of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. It was one of the earliest wine regions in Australia.

It’s a lovely drive out from Sydney and a popular weekend destination for tourists and locals alike. The green hills and fields play host to vineyard after vineyard, and while some of the large wine manufacturers are based there, a true wine lover will delight in the off the beaten path vineyards that can be found with a little exploration. One of my favourites is well out of the way, but I pay a visit there every trip, but that’s my secret!

Don’t despair if wine isn’t your thing, because there is far more to see and do in the Hunter, even though many of the vineyards themselves are quite stunning. Food lovers will also relish the dining options on offer at many wineries, as well as cheese shops, the chocolate factory and speciality dessert bar.

Several of the large wineries have also branched out into Events, playing host for big-name international music stars for a day on the green. There is also a Hot Air Balloon Fiesta every October. This is one of the great wine regions to visit for an all-round amazing experience.

Holly – Globeblogging

 

 

INDIA – NASHIK

India isn’t very famous for its wine and it probably wouldn’t jump into your mind as a wine region to visit.  The city Nashik which is located in Maharashtra is pretty popular among the locals. The reason is twofold. For one the city is a popular pilgrimage point and the second reason is because of the vineyards that are set up in the area.

The climate of Nashik makes it ideal for the growth of grapes. I had never been to a winery before and we landed up visiting one along with a group of friends. The one that we chose to see was the popular Sula Vineyards. I have to say that I was impressed.

You can join the winemaking tours where they take you through the process and storage of wine which is mighty interesting. We wound up our tour with a wine tasting session which was even more interesting! If the tours aren’t your thing then I would suggest heading to the simple terrace restaurant and enjoying the setting sun while sipping on some wine.

Penny –  Globe Trove

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA – STELLENBOSCH

Cape Town, South Africa has one of the most beautiful natural settings of any city in the world. And what goes better with a gorgeous landscape than a fine glass of wine? Fortunately, there are many world-class wineries just a hop, skip, and a jump from Cape Town, especially if you use the adorable town of Stellenbosch as your base. Find a qualified designated driver, read up on the differences between Merlot and Pinotage, and you’re on your way.

There are so many wineries in this region that it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re looking for a charming, smaller winery, visit Vergenoegd. They are famous for their award-winning red wines. Don’t miss the parade of the pet Indian ducks on the property. It takes place 3 times a day.

You can also visit the family-owned Jordan Winery, which has amazing views of Table Mountain. There’s no better way to spend a relaxing afternoon than with a glass of Jordan Sauvignon Blanc, munching on a cheese platter, and basking in the sunshine.

Stella – Around the world in 24 hours

 

 

ARGENTINA – MENDOZA

Mendoza is a 2-hour flight from Buenos Aires, in the foothills of the Andes. Most importantly, it is the largest wine-producing region in Latin America. If you like red wine, & specifically Malbec, then this is where you need to be!

There is plenty of choice too with 3 regions to explore (Lujan de Cuyo, Valle de Uco & Maipu), which in total contains 1500 wineries. The challenge is where do you begin?

I chose to start sitting on the beautifully landscaped veranda of a bodega one sunny Sunday afternoon to enjoy a delicious 5-course lunch, paired with wine. Beyond the gardens were the ordered rows of lush green vines. In the distance, we were surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Andes.

I repeated the gastronomic journey the following day, this time with a 6-course lunch while taking part in an excellent wine tour. The vineyards are so close, you can also hire a bike & spend a leisurely day cycling & sipping. Do you need any more reasons to visit Mendoza than that?

Sue – Sue Where? Why? What?

 

 

CHILE

Chile is a long and narrow country, stuck between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range. This gives the country an amazing diversity of climates and terrains to produce beautiful wines.

From the fresh whites of Casablanca valley to the world-class reds from Aconcagua, Maipo and Colchagua valleys, you can’t go wrong with Chilean wine. Give yourself a treat with the Chilean star, Carménère, a Bourdeaux classic that was thought to be lost, until some vines were found in Chile in the 1990s. For a South American, lesser-known variety, taste País, from the southern Itata valley.

All around the country you’ll find developed wine tourism, with wineries ready to offer tastings. In the capital, Santiago, you can visit traditional Concha y Toro, and award-winning Almaviva; or you can organize a day trip to Casablanca (biodynamic Emiliana is my favourite) or Aconcagua (where classic Errazuriz and innovative Von Siebenthal are the must-visit).

If you base yourself in Santa Cruz (180 km south) you can explore Colchagua, the heart Chile’s wine-growing area. Match your wine tasting with a visit to the underground cellars of Montes, the amazing views of the valley from Lapostolle, and a picnic in the vineyard at Neyén.

Coni –  Experiencing the globe

 

 

ENGLAND

If you are thinking about wine regions to visit I doubt that England would spring to mind. Around 4000 acres (1600 ha) of southern England and parts of Wales are now planted with vines. The wine industry is relatively new in England and dates only from the 1950s. The greatest concentration of vineyards today can be found in Kent, East and West Sussex and Surrey.

The cool climate and longer growing season help produce intense flavour and complexity in the wine. The varieties that are suitable for planting are those that ripen early in the season like Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, which are the components of champagne produced in France.

Over the last 10 years, England’s bottle-fermented sparkling wines have featured prominently on the world stage. Nyetimber and Ridgeview produce some of the best examples and are well worth hunting down to try the next time you are in England. If you are not a fan of bubbly then I suggest a visit to Three Choirs Vineyards, in Gloucester who has a broader spectrum of wines available.

 

More to read

• 9 PERSUASIVE REASONS TO VISIT CHAMPAGNE AT LEAST ONCE
• DISCOVER 11 INTERESTING REGIONS WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY WINE IN EUROPE
• UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE FRENCH WINE REGIONS
• 14 STYLISH, COOL AND QUIRKY LONDON HOTELS
• 10 OF THE BEST BRUNCHES IN LONDON YOU HAVE TO TRY!
• IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE MAIN SIGHTS IN LONDON, WHAT NEXT?
• 30 TRAVEL TIPS FOR PLANNING A VISIT TO LONDON

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