Six Best Spots for Wine Tasting on Earth
For many cultures, wine is an essential part of a meal, and wine production has spread from the Mediterranean region to every continent. Since Germany inaugurated its own Weinstrasse in October 1935, there has been an increase in wine appreciation which led to the establishment of wine routes.
Today, there is a greater variety of vineyards and tours available, ranging from France and Italy to California and Spain. To help you decide where to go for your next tasting, here are our top 6 best spots for wine tasting destinations on earth.
Where to Go for the Best Wine on Earth
1. Napa Valley and Sonoma, California
From well-organized, entertaining, and most importantly, informative tours, Napa Valley vineyards is the ideal place for wine enthusiasts and novices. Napa County has over 400 wineries, with another 200 or so in neighboring Sonoma County.
The wines are fruity and full-bodied, with some outstanding Chardonnay and Zinfandel, as well as some of the best Champagne-style wines outside of France.
2. Rioja, Spain
Rioja has created an inclusive brand for itself in many ways. The name "Rioja" has become interchangeable with exceptional craftsmanship, rich red fruit, and just the right amount of spice in the US wine market.
Producers in this wine region take pride in both ancient and innovative modern wine-making techniques, which produce a variety of red and white wine styles that, regardless of technique, retain the region's distinct flavors at their cores.
3. Alentejo, Portugal
Alentejo is one of Portugal’s largest wine-growing regions, with over 250 wine producers spreading across eight registered denomination regions. The wines have a surprising range of flavors, which can be attributed to the area’s diverse soils, which included granitic, calciferous, and Mediterranea red soils.
As a result, Alentejo’s three separate wine routes have merged into one.
4. Paso Robles, California
When you think of Paso Robles, you may think of Cabernet Sauvignon. Paso Robles is quickly becoming one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon-producing regions in the United States.
However, the region has much more to offer than just excellent Cabernets and Zinfandels, the region’s most famous grape variety. This beautiful area on California’s Central Coast is between Los Angeles and San Francisco, making it a relatively easy destination to visit.
5. Bordeaux, France
The Bordeaux wine region, which spans over 120,000 hectares, is located in France along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Its soils are ideal for grape cultivation, and Bordeaux is regarded as one of the world's finest wine-producing regions.
More than 85 percent of the wine produced in this region is red. However, the region is also known for its white dessert wine, Sauternes, as well as the rare but expensive red wine Petrus.
6. Tuscany, Italy
A trip to Tuscany would not be complete unless you tried one of the region’s world-famous local wines. Chianti is the most well-known, and the region is one of Tuscany’s most beautiful landscapes. Tuscany's tasting venues range from rustic farmhouses to medieval castles.
Many tours also include a local expert demonstrating how to properly taste wine, and which foods pair well with it.
Best Spot for Wine in Asheville, NC
With its beautiful geography and humid subtropical climate, Asheville, North Carolina, is an ideal location for vineyards and wineries. The Blue Ridge region provides you with a diverse range of excellent options whenever you want to relax and enjoy local wine.
If you are touring Asheville’s best wineries, Metro Wine offers a wide selection of wines, ranging from local wines to wines from all over the world. Visit our shop today for a tasting, or contact us for any inquiries.