Vineyards Grow In Special Places
Wine has been produced around the world for a very long time–– We’ve been popping bottles for thousands of years. Due to climate and soil, vineyards tend to thrive in particular locations, with pockets of grape-growing spots across the globe. From the foothills of the Andes Mountains to the sun-drenched hills of California, we uncork some special wine regions.
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1. Bordeaux, France
With just a few vineyards, 290,000 to be more precise, Bordeaux is one of the largest and world-famous wine regions in the country. Located in Southern France, it’s a splendor of vineyards trailing towards the sea and divided by two long rivers. Bordeaux is renowned for its full-bodied red blends.
2. Champagne, France
Across the globe, people are celebrating by popping bottles of Champagne! Other regions try to claim their sparkling wine as champagne but it’s actually illegal unless it comes straight from Champagne’s vineyards. The slightly cooler climate makes Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay the go-to grapes that can handle the temperature.
3. Sicily, Italy
We’ve been sipping on Sicilian wine for thousands of years. Italian grapes cover a lot of the country but Sicily is Italy’s largest wine region. Tourists flock there not only to drink fabulous wine but also to soak in the scenery and taste delicious food.
4. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is another well-known wine region in Italy with rolling hills of vineyards that stretch for miles. Wine lovers bask in the sunshine as they sip red wine, the most produced wine color of the region made with the Sangiovese variety.
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5. Rioja, Spain
In the valley of North Central Spain, vineyards thrive along the Ebro River with the Cantabrian Mountains as their backdrop. The Rioja region is the country’s top wine producer and is split into three sections, each featuring a unique quality in its geography and soil.
6. Douro Valley, Portugal
Portugal’s most famous wine, the port, comes from the Duoro Valley. The fortified sweet wine has been copied by winegrowers around the world who want a taste of their own. The temperate maritime climate makes this region a prime location to grow and produce lots of wine.
7. Napa Valley, United States
Sunny California produces happy grapes that thrive in the gorgeous climate. Napa Valley grows an abundance of grape varieties for winegrowers to make various wines including sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. When you need a beach break, Napa Valley is a California dream for wine drinkers.
8. Marlborough, New Zealand
Both islands that make up the country are breeding grounds for grapes, but Marlborough is the sunniest and largest wine region. New Zealand is sought after for its beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. Come for the ocean and the mountains, stay for the wine.
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9. Mendoza, Argentina
In the foothills of the Andes Mountains lies Mendoza, Argentina’s and Latin America’s largest producer of wine. With about 80% of the country’s grapes, Mendoza has an ideal climate for various wines. The region offers a spectacle of lush green vineyards surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
10. Barossa Valley, Australia
When it comes to wine, Australia is particularly special for its isolation from the rest of the world protecting it from the grape phylloxera infection. The pests killed grapes in other locations leaving Australia to have some of the oldest vines in the world. Barossa Valley is the most renowned wine region down under, producing the beloved Shiraz, made from Australia’s Syrah variety.
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11. Chacapoal Valley, Chile
Chile is home to many wine regions with Chacapoal Valley being one that produces the nation’s best Cabernet Sauvignon and original Carmenere. With a river flowing through, the rich soil and climate are ideal for thriving vines and gorgeous wines.
12. The Western Cape, South Africa
The Western Cape houses Stellenbosch and Paarl, South Africa’s most famous wine regions. The area produces an abundance of Cabernet Sauvignon that is often mixed to make Bordeaux blends. With a Mediterranean climate, South Africa has been a wine-growing haven for hundreds of years.
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13. Rheinhessen, Germany
Germans are renowned for their beer but they produce very fine wine as well. The country is best known for its crisp and subtly sweet riesling. Rheinhessen Valley produces about a quarter of the country’s wine and is home to the Silvaner variety, a rare and ancient grape that makes a light-tasting white wine.
14. Lavaux, Switzerland
Lavaux is an unusual wine region to mention making it that much more special. Vineyards grow on the rolling hills of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient rock walls. The Chassela grape variety is unique to the region, making a light white wine with spicy undertones that is rare to find outside of the country.
15. Naoussa, Greece
Legend says that Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, once called the small town of Naoussa home. The region is slowly gaining recognition worldwide but it’s a wine-lovers paradise. The Greek wine made from Xinomavro grapes is reminiscent of the famous Burgundy wines with earthy tannins and juicy flavor.
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16. Kakheti, Georgia
Considered the oldest wine region in the world, Kakheti is rich in vineyards and history. This region offers wine-drinking history buffs a playground for exploring wineries and historical sites and tasting unique wines made from rare grapes.
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17. Okanagan Valley, Canada
The picturesque lake region on Canada’s west coast is a hot spot for wine snobs. Okanagan Valley produces world-class wines that are rarely exported. The rich soil grows various grapes and winemakers produce many red and white wines from Syrah to Pinot Gris.
18. Guadalupe Valley, Mexico
Tequila is usually the booze that comes to mind when we think of Mexico, but the wine region of Guadalupe Valley will convince you otherwise. Over 300 years ago, settlers from Europe planted grapes in the valley and they’ve been producing wine ever since. Most of the wine isn’t exported you have to visit this special part of Mexico to get a taste.
19. Vienna, Austria
In Austria, the hills are alive with the vines of wine grapes. Vienna is a city known for many things but not many people have heard of its winemaking history. The urban vineyards mostly grow white wine grapes producing Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, and Chardonnay.
20. Pico Island, Azores
Pico Island is one of the nine islands that make up the Azores archipelago and it’s a rare wine gem. Some people refer to it as a cursed island with its landscape made from lava and dark volcanic rocks. Turns out that Pico grapes flourish in the lava soil and the ancient region produces unique wines, different from anywhere else in the world.
