While most people elect to go somewhere hot and popular for their vacation, wine lovers may choose to visit one of the numerous beautiful vineyards that the world has to offer. These places certainly have their advantages. Besides avoiding the huge swathes of fellow Americans who have the usual aim of sun and sand in mind during the summer holidays, you can travel to these regions at different times of the year which makes it easier to book those vacation days! For example, if you were interested in visiting an Australian vineyard during harvest season, the best time of year would probably be around February while in France it would be in October.
Even more appealing is the fact that you don’t need to know a great deal about wine to enjoy the finest wine producing regions in the world. This is because each area offers its own unique beauty which is worth the trip all by itself. Add some of the most delicious wine on the planet into the bargain and you have an unforgettable vacation! Thanks to the aforementioned differing dates between northern and southern hemisphere harvests, you can plan a trip to one if you miss your opportunity to go to another.
Germany is well known for its range of beers but the Baden region produces internationally renowned vintages such as Pinot Noir. The red wine made from these grapes is known for its strong flavor and low acidity which is a feature of all wines from this region. Those who prefer white wine are not missing out either as the Pinot Gris variety is made in this region too. The fact that this famous Baden region is only the third largest in the country spells out the healthy state of the German wine industry.
In the United States, California state is the hotbed of wine making and its Napa Valley region is the king of the industry there. Napa Valley is a classic instance of quality triumphing over quality as it is known as America’s best wine producing area even though it produces less than 5% of Californias wine. It is surrounded by mountains and is only about 30 miles long yet has over 200 different wine producers. Aside from tasting the beautiful Merlots and Chardonnays in the region, you also can enjoy the Californian sun on the numerous beaches nearby as well as relaxing in the dozens of spas available.
When one thinks of wine, France automatically comes to mind. This nation has been producing amazing wines for centuries and has so many regions to choose from. The Loire Valley is a vast expanse of vineyards that produces around three quarters of the nation’s wine yet Bordeaux is often considered to be the best wine region in the whole world. Its wine growing area is almost 300,000 acres and produces Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The whole French countryside provides tourists with breathtaking scenery and amateur historians will love all the medieval castles dotted around the region.
These are just some of the wine regions that provide aficionados with their version of heaven. All of the best areas have much more to see and do besides merely viewing the vineyards and sampling the local produce. Yet if your love wine, this will be more than enough to guarantee a wonderful vacation.
