France
Grapes are grown on almost all continents, but the leading wine-producing country is undoubtedly France. Each of its provinces has its own vast and contradictory winemaking history, its own traditions and secrets of wine production. For example, the wines of the town of Cahors on the Lot River, located 200 km from the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Pyrenees, were popular many centuries ago. Cahors produces dark-red wines: Cahors and Cahors Reserve from Le Grand Chêne de France, as well as Cahors Lu Soledre, which are traditionally called church wines. And although it is widely believed that alcohol is harmful to health, it has already been proven that these wines have unique medicinal properties and have a beneficial effect on the human body.
The most popular wine of Provence is considered to be the red velvet wine from the Bandol appellation. And the wines of the Bellet appellation, which are produced in very small quantities, are considered the best in the south of France. They can be aged for up to 15 years.
Winemaking in Corsica has a thousand-year history, but its flourishing began after the island's annexation to France. Here we advise you to be sure to try the rosé and white wines of Viva Corsica - fresh and retaining the flavor of fruits, which are drunk young.
The province of Languedoc-Roussillon is famous for having the largest vineyard in the world, dedicated to the production of table wines and local wines. It covers an area of 350,000 hectares and is located on the plain. Arriving here, you will be able to taste high-quality wines - 'Côtes du Languedoc', 'Minervois', 'Corbières', 'Château Carbonac', 'Château Val de Bruer', 'Côtes de Malpera' - right at the place of their production.
Alsace wines were consumed by the English and Scandinavians as early as the Middle Ages, and now they are highly valued on international markets for their unique taste. Once in the wine cellar of the Alsatian castle, you can taste the famous 'Edelzwicker', 'Gewürztraminer Réserve du Millésime', 'Muscat Réserve du Millésime', 'Riesling Réserve du Millésime', 'Tokay Pinot Gris Réserve du Millésime' and many others.
'For several centuries, Burgundy wine has made the whole world raise a toast to the health of France...' This quote is entirely justified, because Burgundy has long been considered the leader in the production of exquisite French wines. Raise a glass to the health of this glorious country and, of course, to your wonderful relationships. And such toasts are best accompanied by a glass of the famous wine 'Burgundy', 'Burgundy Chardonnay', 'Burgundy Aligoté', 'Burgundy Passetoutgrain', 'Burgundy Grand Ordinaire'.
But the most important winemaking region in France and one of the most famous in the world is still Bordeaux. Bordeaux wines have been considered the standard of quality, prestige, and unmatched taste for several centuries. And the most famous district of Bordeaux is Médoc, and by becoming its guest, you will be able to personally appreciate the highest quality of Médoc wines. Only red wines are produced here from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. They are aged for several years in oak barrels, which gives the wines a characteristic taste and the ability to be stored for a long time.
If you prefer white wines, come to the Loire Valley. The main grape variety grown here is Muscadet, and it is from it that a light white wine with a fruity taste is produced, which is drunk young.
Champagne has always been considered the favorite drink of kings. And it is this wine that is the main pride of France. After all, no matter who reigned in France and whatever cataclysms occurred here, Champagne always produced excellent wines that have retained their reputation to this day. By the way, champagne itself appeared in the 17th century, and its author is considered to be the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, the keeper of the wine cellar of the Hautvillers Abbey. Since the time he discovered the secret of this unique drink, the secrets of its production have been kept secret. But it is known that only three grape varieties are used to make champagne wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. And the best varieties, from which the finest champagne wines are made, are produced in three places: in the Montagne de Reims, in the Marne Valley, and in the Côte des Blancs. One of the oldest and most famous Champagne winemaking companies is Taittinger, and we strongly advise you to include a visit to its cellars in your refined tour, where you can get real pleasure by tasting 'Taittinger Brut Réserve', 'Taittinger Demi Sec', 'Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé', 'Taittinger Brut', 'Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut', 'Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé Brut'.
Hungary
Tokaj wine, Hungary's main calling card, is known all over the world. 'This wine ignites a magical fireworks of sparkling wit and joy in the depths of the soul,' Goethe said about it.
The towns and villages of the northeastern part of Hungary, together with Tokaj, form one of the regions where Tokaj wines have been produced for many centuries. According to legend, the first vine was planted here by the Romans, and since then the wine has been made in the same way as at the beginning of the first millennium. And experts say that the main feature of Tokaj wine is not in the combination of grape varieties, but in the unique technology of its production.
The so-called family of royal wines includes three types of Tokay wines: Szamorodni, Aszú, and Essencia. For Tokay Szamorodni, the grapes are harvested late, in October-November, sometimes after frosts. The grape cluster is twisted, cutting off the flow of water into it, and left hanging on the vine, causing the berries to wither, which increases their sugar content. It is precisely these withered and very sweet grapes that are the main goal of all manipulations with grapes in Tokay technology. The word Aszú translates as 'raisin'. If for Szamorodni wine whole clusters with partially withered grapes are used, then for Aszú only raisins are manually selected, which are mixed with whole clusters. This is how the degree of sweetness of this drink is regulated. By the way, from time to time auctions are held in the town of Tokaj, where a bottle of old Aszú can be sold for $2-3 thousand. However, winemakers say that well-aged five- or six-year-old Aszú is no worse, and sometimes better in taste, than a 50-60-year-old one.
Tokay Essencia, on the other hand, is made from pure raisins. Very little juice is obtained from it. Due to its high sugar content (40-60%), fermentation proceeds very slowly, sometimes taking decades. After prolonged aging, the finished wine is a thick, sugary liquid that resembles must rather than wine. Essencia is the longest-lived wine in the world, with 30-40% sugar and 5-8% alcohol. That is why it is very expensive and accessible only to wealthy connoisseurs.
Italy
They say that if there is a grape paradise on Earth, it is Italy. The mild Mediterranean climate, the Alps, which protect the vineyards from icy Arctic air and prolonged rains, make it possible to grow a wide variety of grape varieties in a relatively small area. Italy grows almost all classic French and German grape varieties, but the main feature of this country is that it offers the world its own original varieties. A special wine region of Italy is Piedmont, which produces such world-famous red wines as Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as whites from Cortese and Asti Spumante grapes, and sparkling from Muscat. Moreover, if you are going on a romantic trip specifically to Italy, be sure to visit the Veneto region, because, gourmets will not let you lie, it is here that the best grappa in the world is produced.
Portugal
The first vineyards in the territory of modern Portugal were cultivated by the Phoenicians, and there is an opinion that some Phoenician plantations have even survived to this day. That is why there are no such grape varieties anywhere else in the world. If you are a lover of authentic Portuguese wine - port - then you should definitely go to Douro, the main region of its production. Wines coveted by any connoisseur - Ruby, Tawny, Aged tawny, Vintage port, Colheita, LBV, Vintage Character, Single-quinta vintage, Crusted port., Garrafeira, White port - are best tasted here.
However, in Portugal, in addition to port, a huge number of other types of wine are produced. In Alentejo, the production of white wines is of greatest importance, which will be an ideal accompaniment to local delicacies on your table. Algarve produces soft, velvety wines with a fruity bouquet and an alcohol content exceeding 13%. In addition, the region is famous for its dry aperitif Afonso III and dry wine Algar seco, which has the taste of sherry.
In Dão, you can try red wines with a ruby hue, pleasant aroma, and velvety bouquet. The strength of such wines is 12%, and according to technology, they must be aged for 18 months in barrels, and then at least two months in bottles. The most famous of them: Caves Alianca, Caves S. Joao,
J. Maria da Fonseca, Caves Messias, Caves Acacio, Caves Primavera.
And not far from the city of Sintra there are the vineyard plantations of Colares, where wines of ruby color are produced, which acquire an unusually velvety bouquet during fermentation. To achieve high quality, the wine is aged for several years. Due to the long maturation, Colares wines are practically not exported, which is why Colares has recently become a Mecca for all wine gourmets.
The wines of the city of Madeira, along with ports, are the main pride of Portuguese winemaking. Madeira is known for its noble wine varieties: Sercial, Verdelho, Boal, and Malvasia. You will find all these treasures in the cellars of local restaurants.
And finally, only in Portugal is the unique wine Vinho Verde produced - 'green wine', named after the region where it is made. The name 'green' came not from its color, but from the short aging period. These young wines have different colors depending on the variety. Tintos (tintos - 'dark') have rich pink or red hues, while the colors of Brancos (brancos - 'white') range from light lemon to dark straw.
Greece
In Greece, as you know, there is everything. Including something to attract true sommeliers and connoisseurs of excellent wine. The largest and most important winemaking region of Greece is the Peloponnese. Here they produce the red wine Nemea, which has an almost black color; the strong sweet dessert wine Mavrodaphne; the white Muscat wine from Patras; the wine Mantineia from Arcadia. In addition, the Peloponnese supplies the best Greek wine - Retsina, with its distinct taste of pine resin and smell of turpentine. Only true masters could combine such 'unpalatable' ingredients into such a divine combination. Apparently, some recipes remain from those who served ambrosia to the inhabitants of Olympus...
Romania
Romania will not disappoint gourmets either. It produces a variety of red and white wines, and the localities of Odobești, Cotești, Panciu, and Nicorești have given their names to the most famous of them. In addition to the widely known varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir — unique Romanian grape varieties are grown here: Băbească Neagră and Fetească Neagră, from which famous Romanian dry wines are made. The Dealu Mare region is also renowned for its exceptional wines made from late-harvest grapes. And the most ancient vineyards of Romania are located in the northeast of the country, in the foothills of the Carpathians, near the border with Moldova. It is here that one of the oldest wine estates is located — Cotnari, which is famous for the dry white wine Frâncușă, semi-sweet and sweet white wines Fetească Albă, aromatic Tămâioasă Românească, and the most famous wine, the pearl of Romanian winemaking — Grasă de Cotnari.
South Africa
But if you are such a sophisticated gourmet that European wines no longer surprise you, head to South Africa. It is here that a special red grape variety is grown, which is found nowhere else in the world — Pinotage. It was created by crossing two French varieties — Pinot Noir and Cinsault — and has become a symbol of South African winemaking. Today, the most common fortified wines of South Africa are Muscadel, Port, and Jerepigo.
So, set off on a tour of the places of true gastronomic delights, and we are confident that this will be the most memorable journey of your life. And do not delay! After all, as the classics testify: "Wine in glasses should be drunk while it sparkles, while there is life, one must live — there are not two lives..."