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European Wine Holidays
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Wine is a unique product. It offers the complete picture of a place, including its temperature, the way people live there, their preferences, and their innovation. Each wine is unique, and you will absolutely be thrilled with our list of the top wine regions in Europe. Learn about the top wine-lovers’ vacation spots.
Catalonia, Spain
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The Catalan Mediterranean climate is especially favorable to growing vines. Catalonia has many hours of sun, even in winter, and enjoys summers with moderate temperatures. Rainfall is concentrated mainly in spring and autumn. Its great geographical diversity has led Catalonia to have 11 designations of origin (DO) for wine. In addition there is a Cava Designation of Origin, located mainly in the Penedès region. Thus, Catalonia has many attractions for tourism in its wine regions, such as visits to wineries, walks through vineyards, festivals, wine tasting, and food and Acustic Celler Acustic Blanc 2017 matching classes. Meanwhile, there are increasing numbers of wellness centers focusing on wine therapy treatments, which apply the properties of grapes and wine to health and well-being.
The Douro Valley, Portugal
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The Douro Valley is one of the most magical places in Portugal. Its amazing landscapes will take your breath away and you will feel that you are part of some fairytale! There are so many ways to get to know this valley and its cultural landscape; you can go by train, by road, on a cruise boat and by helicopter. Did you know that The Douro Valley is listed as a World Heritage Site? A dry red wine created from a blend of grapes frequently used to make port wine is what you should expect to find if the word ‘Douro’ is prominently displayed on the label. The grapes required to manufacture dry white and red table wines are grown in the Douro valley, which is also the source of fortified, sweet Port wines. While its dry counterparts are frequently referred to as Quinta do Pessegueiro Tinto Douro 2017, port wines are frequently branded as such.
Tuscany, Italy
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Tuscany stretches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea, and presents one of the first protagonists of tourism in Italy. Located in central Italy, this stunning place has so much to offer. When it comes to heritage, Tuscany is certainly one of the most famous places in this region. The diversity of this beautiful place is so high – here, you can find a long coast with sandy beaches but also steep headlands and rocky cliffs. Mediterranean vegetation is at its best, and the crystal clear sea is unforgettable. The world’s most famous wine regions can be found in Tuscany. The Sangiovese grape serves as the foundation for the red Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, while the Vernaccia grape serves as the foundation for the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The dessert wine Vin Santo, which is produced in Tuscany from a variety of local grapes, is another well-known product.
Champagne, France
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When it comes to quality of vineyards and cellars, Champagne-Ardenne in France is one of the most famous regions in the world. In fact, Champagne Cellars & Vineyards is a perfect way to experience the wealth of Champagne-Ardenne. If you know that vineyards and cellars cover more than 30,000 hectares and mobilize the talents of thousands of farmers, you can surely expect an unforgettable experience. You can visit farms, museums dedicated to champagne, enjoy many wine and food tours, etc. Find one of the most gorgeous wine cellars in France, from independent winegrowers to well-known Champagne businesses. Wines made from these three iconic grape varietals, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, will provide you with remarkable experiences.
Istria, Croatia
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Istria is one of the oldest wine regions in Europe, with a rich history of viticulture. Istria offers a lot of different microclimates because the region is hilly and has a fairly long coastline. This is advantageous for the development of many grape varieties. The Greeks introduced the first grapes to Croatia’s Istria region in the sixth century BC. Istrian wine is steadily becoming more well-known for its robust red wines, despite the fact that the international market has not yet fully embraced it. The region’s terroir is so excellent for producing red wine that it is compared favorably to the renowned Bordeaux wine region. Istria's native Malvazija Istarska grapes are its best-known export. These grapes are used to make rich red wines when blended with grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the local varieties of Refosk and Teran. They are grown in the terracotta-rich red soils of the area.
