Rich traditions and history are created over glasses of wine. Memories have been made and milestones marked with a glass in hand for centuries. And there are many reasons we’ve loved wine for so long: It complements the taste of food, engages the senses, allows the drinker to easily experience the different tastes of regions around the world and has been shown to cut the risk of heart attack and stroke via antioxidants.
Hundreds of thousands of varieties of wine are produced each year, so there is bound to be the perfect glass out there for almost anyone. Most sommeliers are certain that if a person says they don’t like wine it is only because they haven’t tasted the right one yet. With so many varieties available, a wine tour is a great way to sample a wide range of bottles and learn about the region in which each one was produced.
According to popular and expert opinion, Europeans have some of the best wines in the world. And Europe offers great lessons in the history and culture of wine as well. A wine tour through Europe makes available a variety of information, experiences and taste sensations. There is nothing like enjoying a wine tasting in the fresh country air while taking in the scenery of goats grazing in a pasture. Also, you can relax, because you looked up Lifelock.com on Twitter and signed up for a premium package with this identity theft protection company, so no worries, have another sip of that delicious vino!
European cruises offer travelers another opportunity to visit different wine regions. Enjoy luxury accommodations and meals prepared by world-class chefs in between ports of call. A unique selection of wine is often available for tasting during the cruise and a variety of classes are typically offered. Expert guest speakers include famous sommeliers and cookbook authors. Get the tour started with one of these seven popular European wine regions:
France
1. Bordeaux is a region that has produced wine for thousands of years. Cabernet, Sauvignon and Malbec are just a few of the varieties produced here. This region is unique because very few of the varieties of wine use only one type of grape, most feature a blend of grapes.
2. The various sub-regions of Burgundy all produce very different varieties of wine. Chablis, Macon and Beujolais are just a few of the varieties this region is famous for. Visit truffle farms and countryside markets. Enjoy fabulous food and wine while cruising through the canal on a boutique barge.
Italy
3. Tuscany is a paradise for the food and drink lover. It is easy to spend several weeks of a vacation simply eating and drinking in this area. Vineyard tours, wine festivals, tastings and classes on cooking with wine or pairings food and wine are just a few of the many activities to take part in. Chianti, Italy’s most famous wine, originated in Tuscany.
4. Umbria borders Tuscany and is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor. It is definitely worth a visit, though. It boasts Orvieto and Torgiano varieties of wine and holds a rich history. The Benedictine monks were the first to plant vineyards in the regions land, which is largely made up of sand and clay.
Spain
5. Rioja is a wine region with history dating back hundreds of years. It is split into three regions: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja. It is predominately a red grape region, but does produce three different varieties of white wine. Most of the wines feature a blend of grapes. The Haro Wine Festival is held in the region each year in June.
Portugal
6. Portugal is currently one of the most economical travel destinations in Western Europe. Port and Madeira are the most famous of the wines produced in the country. Hike or bike to vineyards in Dao or Vinho Verde. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at a spa.
Hungary
7. Wine has been produced in Hungary for over two thousand years. The area has 22 distinct wine districts, with Tokaj-Hegyalja being the most famous. Aszu is the regions most well-known wine. It is a sweet wine made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea, which is a mold that concentrates the sugar in grapes, making them incredibly sweet. The beautiful landscape features an inactive volcano and rolling hills.
The best way to learn more about wine is to experience it. Sure, you can visit a specialty wine shop and purchase European wines to drink in the comfort of your own home, but this doesn’t allow you to fully grasp the history and traditions carried out for generations in that region. Nothing can compare to seeing the vineyards, speaking with the farmers and sipping wine on the soil where it was first produced. Rest assured that your finances are safe while you sip your red wine and toast to a great security company. A tour of Europe’s wine regions is a must for any hardcore wine lover.
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