Top Ten Breathtaking Wine Regions

The only thing better than a glass of wine, is a glass of wine that comes with a view. And what better way to have it all than to travel to the most beautiful wine regions around the world. From magnificent sunrises to awe-inspiring sunsets, just about anything would taste good paired with the beautiful scenery of these regions. So here's a list of the best regions to visit for a breathtaking view, although not necessarily a breathtaking wine:

1. Sardinia, Italy

As a general rule, Italy is home to some of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes in the world. From the Valle d'Aoste sub-region in the northwest, to Cinque Terre in Liguria and most of Tuscany, Piedmont, and the Veneto, it's hard to find a region that could make this list. I chose Sardinia, spelled locally as Sardegna, not only because of its mind-blowing scenery, but also its climate, and health benefits of the local lifestyle.

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean behind Sicily. The region is heavily influenced by Spain, France, and of course Italy. Its Mediterranean climate makes the region ideal for growing the Grenache variety, known locally as Cannonau, which is the most widely planted grape on the island. Giro and Carignan, known on the island as Carignano, are other widely-planted red varietals. Most of the whites are made from the Vermentino grape and are commonly found in the northern regions of the island. Some producers are experimenting with international varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, both in blends and on their own.

The Sardinian diet has recently received quite a bit of attention. This is because National Geographic writer and Emmy award-winning documentarian Dan Buettner explains in his book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest, that the Sardinian diet coupled with the regions "feel good" reds are like a fountain of youth. Supposedly they can add about six years to the average life expectancy. Not that I ever need a reason to drink, but hey, a little extra motivation doesn't hurt.

2. Stellenbosch, South Africa

Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson, in their fifth edition of The World Wine Atlas, stated, "The most dramatically beautiful wine country in the world is surely South Africa." I chose Stellenbosch both for its gorgeous scenery and for the fact that the region is regarded as the finest in South Africa. This is due to the growing conditions and the University of Stellenbosch, which is incredibly influential in South Africa's wine advancement.

Virtually all of South Africa's vineyards are found within 100 miles of Cape Town. And while vines first were planted in South Africa in the mid 17th century, it wasn't until apartheid ended in the early 90's that the country really began producing quality juice. Today some great values can be found from the country.

3. Okanagan Valley, Canada

The Okanagan Valley is the oldest and most important wine region in British Columbia. It's also one of the world's most northerly wine growing areas. Over 90% of British Columbia's vines are located in the Okanagan Valey. The region is Canada's best chance at producing world-class varietal wines from grapes like Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Starting at the Washington state border, the Okanagan Valley Vintner's Quality Alliance (VQA) stretches north 155 miles. It's home to the glacial Okanagan Lake which provides a moderating effect. The area is almost desert-like, receiving an annual rainfall of only six inches. While the region produces wines of good quality, you have to pay for them. Not the most value-packed, but certainly breathtaking scenery around the lake.

4. Mosel, Germany

George M. Taber explains in his book In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism, that "The Rhine and Mosel rivers and valleys are the birthplace of Germany's romantic heritage." The Mosel region, formerly the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, is Germany's third largest region in terms of production, but is the leading region in terms of international recognition.

The Mosel is often regarded as Riesling's spiritual home. Cool temperatures, the Mosel river, and slate soil come together to create a perfect environment for producing world-class Riesling. The steep river banks are where most of the grapes are grown, with vineyards being planted on inclines of up to 60 degrees. The banks of the river are both breathtaking and practical as they provide good drainage and allow the river to act as a mirror, reflecting the suns rays up under the leaves to the berries to help warm and ripen them. It's the beautiful Mosel river and its steep banks that solidify this region's place on this top ten list.

5. Douro Valley, Portugal

The Douro Valley, home to the Douro River, is best appreciated from atop the nearby mountains. Vines are planted to the sun-baked soil hillsides, which are very steep in some areas. While the Douro region is famous for its fortified dessert wines called Port, what many don't realize is the region makes as much still table wine as they do Port.

Ten years ago visitors to the country would choke down the table wines from the region to hurry up and get to the world famous Ports. Over the last decade however, the region has been producing not only palatable juice, but good-quality wines. Quality table wines from this region are beginning to show depth, structure and age-ability. The reds from the region, when done well, can prove to be remarkable values. It is this factor, along with the beautiful view, that lands the Douro on this week's top ten list.

6. Provence, France

Provence is this writer's all-time favorite wine region. It's not just the wine or the scenery, but the cuisine and the culture that entice me. Situated between the French Alps and the Mediterranean sea, this breathtakingly beautiful region has the best of both worlds - skiing in the mountains and swimming in the sea. Its perfect Mediterranean climate ensure a mild winter and spring while supplying locals and visitors with a warm summer and fall. A perfect recipe for enjoying the region's most notable wine style, rosé.

Provence has been producing wine for over 2500 years. While the region makes delicious red and white wines, it's best known for its pink wines. In fact, over half of the region's wine production is rosé, which pairs perfectly with the local fare. Cuisine includes olives, garlic, seafood (think sardines), rockfish, sea-urchin and octopus, lamb and goat, and chickpeas. Local fruits include grapes, peaches, apricots, strawberries, cherries, and the famous melons of Cavaillon. Who could resist?

7. Napa Valley, California

The view in Napa Valley is admired by over five million people each year. With more than 450 wineries, the Napa Valley is often regarded as the finest American Viticulture Area (AVA) in the United States. The valley floor is surrounded by mountains, with the Mayacamas Range on the western and northern sides and the Vaca Mountains on the eastern side. The floor of the valley gradually rises from sea level at the southern end to just over 350 feet above sea level at the northern end in Calistoga at the foot of Mount Saint Helena.

While commercial wine production began in the mid 1800's, it wasn't until the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, now called the Judgement of Paris, that this region was viewed world-wide as a quality wine producing region. As the acclaimed Chateau Montelena was stealing the first place spot from French Chardonnays of premier Burgundy producers, Warren Winiarski's 1973 Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon was also besting the Frenchies, taking the first place title from first growths like Chateau Haut Brion and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. While it was a crying shame that the film Bottleshock completely skipped over this feat, it was this accomplishment that put Napa on the map. The region's stunning view and world-class wine production helped it make this week's top ten list.

8. Finger Lakes, New York

This one has a soft spot in my heart. With over 9,000 square miles of gorgeous rolling hills and 117 wineries, the Finger Lakes region is New York's largest AVA. Tom Stevenson, in the fifth edition of his book The Sotherby's Wine Encyclopedia, explains "The (Finger Lakes) name is derived from the 11 finger-shaped lakes in west-central New York. These inland water masses temper the climate, and the topography of the surrounding land creates "air temperature" in the winter and summer."

The Finger Lakes is the oldest and most prominent region in the Northeast. It's prized for soil with good drainage and extreme cold. Because of the cool growing season Riesling tends to do best, but international's like Pinot Noir and Cab are popping up in some vineyards. Also because of cold climate and harsh winters, they produce some exceptional Ice Wines. While it's difficult to find any wines from the Northeast outside of the area, this region is producing some delicious juice. Definitely worth hunting down. But like the wines of Okanagan Valley in Canada, you have to pay for them. The region's lack of Hollywood hype, as compared to the glitz and glamor of Napa, as well as its delicious wines and breathtaking view solidify its spot on this top ten list.

9. Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza is considered by many to be Argentina's most important wine region. At over 350,000 acres of land planted to vines, the region accounts for nearly two-thirds of the country's entire wine production. Located in the eastern foothills of the Andes, the elevation at which the grapes are planted is one of the only reasons the region is so successful. These vineyards are some of the highest in the world, with the average site located between 1,900 and 3,600 feet above sea level. It's this elevation that provides ideal conditions to slowly ripen thick-skinned grapes, because with elevation comes a decrease in temperature - one degree Fahrenheit for every 300 feet of elevation.

The mountains in Mendoza provide this region with the perfect climate, soil, and location. The diurnal variation, or range, is ideal for growing hearty varietals like Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has an alluvial soil type, which is great for growing grapes, and the region receives the perfect amount of rainfall. And in dry years, the water from melting snow-capped moutnains makes up for any lack of rain. Very few vineyards need to irrigate, so water is virtually free - a major bonus when considering it's one of the largest costs at a winery. It is this region's delicious, value-packed wines and proximity to Mount Aconcagua that makes it one of the most breathtaking wine regions in the world.

10. Central Otago, New Zealand

Last but not least is one of the most southern wine producing regions in the world. With grapes growing at elevations up to 1,300 feet, Central Otago is home to New Zealand's highest vineyards. Its southern latitude and high vineyard elevation make this region prime for growing cool climate varietals. It's one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand, producing what some are calling world-class Pinot Noir. Critics have gone as far as to say the style of Pinot Noir produced is "Burgundian". However, the region, in my opinion, grew a tad too fast, resulting in a number of mediocre to below average wines being produced.

The reason this region is on this week's top ten is the view, oh what a view. Want to experience it in full but can't afford the ticket? Get the blu-ray version of Lord of the Rings, the film was shot in New Zealand. Central Otago is covered in mountains and beautiful green hills. Take this along with the fact that it's capable of producing world-class wine, and you have yourself a beautiful wine region worthy of a visit.

These ten regions showcase a variety of terrains with stunning views and delicious wines. There are so many gorgeous regions around the world, many producing quality juice, that it was tough to nail it down to ten; there are many more that could have made the list. I hope you have a chance to visit a few of these or any of the other fantastic wine destinations. In fact, if you have, I'd love to hear about it. Drop me a line via email, facebook, or leave a comment here on the blog.

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Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Up & Coming Wine Regions

From Latvia to Peru most countries around the world make some variation of what they call wine. While many consumers are familiar with major regions like Napa, Chianti and Bordeaux there are hundreds more that don't have the same reputation or market presence. After looking around the world, and taking into account that plenty of farmers with shovels are trying to grow grapes, I came up with a list the top ten quality up-and-coming wine regions. Some of these regions have been making wine for thousands of years, but recently have seen a change for the better in the production of their wines.

1. Douro, Portugal

The Douro region of Portugal is famous for their fortified dessert wines called Port. While some would argue they have been making quality wine for last four centuries it's not the dessert wine I'm referring to, it's their still red wines. Many don't realize that the region makes as much still table wine as they do Port.

Ten years ago visitors to Portugal would choke down the table wines from the region to hurry up and get to the world famous Ports. Over the last decade, however, the region has stepped up its game and has been producing not only palatable juice, but good quality wines. Producers like Barca Velha have taken Portuguese table wines to a new level showing depth, structure and age-ability. The reds from the region, when done well, can prove to be remarkable values.

2. Toro, Spain

The wines from the Toro region of Spain, located only about 60 miles from the Portuguese border, were famous in the Middle Ages. But many of the region's vines were ripped out in the 14th and 15th century to plant other crops. In 1987 it was given DO status (Spanish quality wine status) and in the last decade it has become a promising wine area. The region is best known for its big powerful reds made from Tempranillo, called Tinto de Toro in Toro. Its recent popularity and quality surge stems from a number of high profile producers who set up shop there in the past ten years. Today the wines from Toro are big and bold and compete with the quality wines of Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

3. Eger, Hungary

Hungary has seen vast improvements in still wine production since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, but is still has a ways to go. The country is best known for its dessert wine called Tokaji, which is made from Botrytis infected grapes. The country's spike in quality reds has come about in the last decade, impressive considering only 30 percent of its vines are planted to red grapes. Regions like Villany, Hajos-Baja, Szekszard and Sopron are all promising regions but I chose to highlight Eger because it's a bit larger than the others and has more presence in the US market.

Eger, located half way between Budapest and Tokaj (the region), is famous for the legend of Egri Bikaver or the "Bulls Blood of Eger." The story dates back to a battle in the mid 16th century where the Hungarian army was defending the fortress of Eger from the superior Turkish army. The story goes that the Hungarian army drank copious amounts of the region's wines, turning their beards red. When the Turks saw them they ran in terror thinking that the Hungarian army had gained strength by consuming the blood of bulls. The name stuck, and today the region makes a wine called Egri Bikaver, which is a red wine made from a blend of Kékfrankos (also called Blaufränkisch), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a few others. Eger has begun making quality wines from grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, and a number of large investors have entered the region assisting in the rise in quality.

4. Nashik, India

Like many of the regions on this top ten list, it's tough to say "up-and-coming" with a country like India because they have been producing wine for the last 6000 or so years. But like the other regions highlighted in this article, India's quality has surged in the last decade showing promise and excitement. The shift in quality began in the early 1980's when self-made Bombay millionaire Sham Chougule asked the Champagne powerhouse Piper-Heidseck to consult on a mission to create world-class sparkling wines in India. Today we see examples of still and sparkling wines in the market, with the most readily available being Sula, a venture started in the early 90's by a Stanford-educated engineer.

Sula, located in Nashik, produces red wines from Shiraz, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes as well as whites from Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Sula also makes a blush from the Zinfandel grape, a dessert wine from late harvest Chenin Blanc, and a sparkling wine made in the same manner as Champagne from France (Traditional Method). Production methods and an emphasis on site selection and quality fruit have improved resulting in good juice being made throughout the country. The most successful wines from the region are still sparkling wines however.

5. Tasmania, Australia

Australia has emerged as a wine giant in the last ten years, with big brand names like Rosemount Estate, Yellowtail and Lindemans accounting for a large percentage of wine we see on the retail shelves. The country/continent is currently suffering from a wine glut caused by an identity crisis. Commercial bulk wine producers like Yellowtail are making generic, robot wines that lack regional identities and structure, while winemakers like Max Schubert (1930-1994) chose a different path for the country's wines with his conception of the world-class Penfolds Grange Shiraz. Today wines from Australia vary from producer to producer and region to region but one thing is clear, Tasmanian wine quality is on the rise.

Tasmania is considered a new region even though vines were first planted in the early 1800's. The region's wine production is relatively small, but they are quickly becoming recognized worldwide for quality sparkling wines. Tasmania is the most southern region in Australia, which makes it a great environment for producing cool climate grape varieties. Producers continue to improve winemaking practices, and are now focusing on red varietals like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as whites like Chardonnay and Riesling. When buying from Tasmania, go for their sparkling wines or Pinot Noir; they are the most consistent, best quality examples from the region.

6. Bio-Bio, Chile
There is no question that Chilean wines have a strong presence in the United States wine market. Much of the quality wine from the country comes from the Central Valley. However, innovative producers like Cono Sur have ventured further south to Bio-Bio to make some remarkable wines.

Bio-Bio is one of the most southern wine producing regions in the world. Its location, a similar latitude to that of Otago region of New Zealand, provides a cool climate. Varieties like Pinot Noir and Riesling are producing some fresh, balanced, delicious wines. As Bio-Bio's quality and fame continue to rise, we will see more producers planting vines in the region.

7. Rio Grande do Sol, Brazil
Brazil is the fifth largest producer of wine in the Southern Hemisphere behind Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and Chile. The country has been making some variation of wine for centuries, but only in the last twenty years have we seen quality turn a corner. In the 1970's, large producers like Moet & Chandon, Seagram, Domecq, Martini & Rossi and many others established wineries in the area. Like many young regions the best wines were sparkling, however today many quality reds are being made with grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot.

Brazil, along with many regions across the globe, is benefiting from the concept of the "Flying Winemaker,” basically a winemaker who travels to the Southern Hemisphere in his off season to consult. With popularity and interest from quality winemakers comes investment, better equipment and more education. We will see more Brazilian wines in the domestic market in the next 5 years, much of it good quality.

8. Salta, Argentina
Salta has seen a surge in production in the last few years. Many producers in Argentina focus on one grape from one region: Malbec from Mendoza. But Mendoza is cool and won't ripen all grape varieties. To expand their portfolios, many producers have sourced fruit from the warmer northern Salta region. The wines produced here are usually whites like Torrontes, but more varieties are being experimented with including Cabernet Sauvignon, which is known for its ability to thrive in warm climates. If you’ve ever tried a Torrontes, you may have had a wine from Salta and not even realized it. It’s my prediction that we will see more variety and an increase in quality from Salta in the next four or five years.

9. Okanagan Valley, Canada
The Okanagan Valley is the oldest and most important wine region in British Columbia. It's also one of the world's most northerly wine growing areas. The region is Canada's best chance at producing world-class varietal wines from grapes like Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.

A recent dam break caused over a million gallons of water (enough to fill 8 Olympic sized swimming pools) to rush down the mountainside into the Okanagan Valley. The water took with it boulders, trees and plenty of mud burring some vineyards up to 25 feet. Only 40 total acres of vines were affected, but experts say the new soil deposited is better than the existing, so I guess there's a silver lining. This region produces wines of good quality, but you have to pay for them. Not the most value packed, but certainly an up-and-comer.

10. Long Island AVA, United States of America
The Long Island AVA (American Viticulture Area) is located in New York. Its climate and position to the ocean make it a great place to grow cool-climate grapes like Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Recently, producers have been experimenting with grapes like Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (only in the sunniest spots).

Producers like Bedell on Long Island have begun to receive international attention. Their flagship wine, Musee, is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. The wine received a 90-point rating (out of 100) from Wine Spectator for their 2005 vintage. The region is gaining recognition, but it's hard to find wines from the area. Many of the producers make small amounts and only sell their juice at the winery. If you are in a state that allows direct-to-consumer shipping, look up a few wineries and order a bottle. Like the wines of the Okanagan, they are not cheap, but they make some damn fine examples of Riesling.

There you have it, a list of the top ten up-and-coming wine regions in the world. While there are certainly many that one could argue would fit into this category, especially ones from Italy, this list looks at some of the lesser known places and their promising future. I wanted to put this together to help promote wines from these lesser known regions. Without a market to sell its juice, a producer has no drive to increase its quality. With awareness comes buying power, when we support these regions we encourage growth and ultimately more variety in our market.

I hope you have a chance to try wines from a few of these regions, and please let me know if there are any "up-and-coming" regions you like by emailing me, posting a comment on the blog here or contacting me on Facebook.

Until next week, thanks for reading.

Salut,
Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online