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9 Worldwide Wine Capitals
There has been a lot of talk in the wine industry of late about world wine capitals and while there isn't any specific list that the industry agrees upon (since everyone wants to be included!) here is my version. Napa Valley/Sonoma California: They could easily be listed separately as Napa has at least 400 wineries itself (more than some countries) but being literally next to each other geographically makes them an easy placement as one area. Cabernet Sauvignon is the star in Napa while Sonoma offers some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay anywhere in the world. Rioja Spain: The classic and ancestral home to Spanish wine, Rioja is still best known for crafting intensely flavored Tempranillo and Grenache. Grenache is the most planted grape in the world, in large part because it is so common in Spain because of its success over centuries in Rioja. Burgundy, France: The home of Pinot Noir, in fact Pinot Noir is the only red wine grape which is allowed to be planted here. The vines are in a constant struggle for ripeness which means vintage has become incredibly important. Bordeaux, France: The ancestral home to most of the grapes we all recognize today including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and even Petite Verdot. Interestingly, many Americans compare these wines to those made in Napa, however the French versions are rarely 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and are almost always much lower in alcohol content. Cape Town, South Africa: The home of the industry at one of the southernmost vineyard sites on the planet. With heavy European influence in this countries past, it isn't surprising that viticulture came with the early settlers. Florence Italy: Home to Italian wine and the literally hundreds of native grapes which have been part of the Italian diet and winemaking tradition for millennia. Perhaps better known for the Renaissance and architecture, these wines have become more international in style over the past few years. Porto, Portugal: Home to the dessert wine of the same name, Porto now has begun to craft quality table wines. South Island, New Zealand: Home to some of the best high acidity Pinot Noir in the world. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Wine Clubs should be fun and entertaining, even if you're only using them as a great way to find wine gifts! |
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