Wine is a lifestyle for all true wine lovers as it is pretty much enjoyed in every country around the world with various cuisines. There are many countries around the world that are wine producers and they have specific areas that are ideal for grapes to grow due to climate or alluvial soils. Let’s discover the most enchanting wine regions of the world where it is an absolute dream to sip a glass of rich red, delicious white or sparkling wine.
1. Kartli Wine Region, Georgia
Kartli is the central region of Georgia and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. This plays an important role in the formation of Kartli’s terroir. The territory of Kartli itself is quite mountainous, and the vineyards are found mainly in the valleys between the mountains, mostly in the basins of the rivers Mtkvari, Liakhvi, and Ksani. The valley of Mukhrani, Gori, and Tsitelkalaki create the most favorable terroir for Kartli winemaking.
Kartli is distinguished by its very high-quality still and sparkling wines due to the peculiarity of Kartli terroirs and the grape varieties. Kartli wine region actively uses both the classic technology of winemaking, as well as the methods typical for Georgia, be it the fermentation of white grape juice with grape must, or using Qvevri winemaking technology.
Qvevri is a specially shaped clay vessel that provides unique structure, aromas, and colors to wines. This region is famous for white, red, and sparkling wines with a strong characteristic profile that would really remind you of French sophisticated, super harmonious, and elegant wines.
Kakheti is another popular and most productive wine region in Georgia. Sighnaghi, which may be considered Georgia’s prettiest town is conveniently located at the gateway to the wine region. The town is distinguished by its cobbled streets and ornate balconies, Climbing Sighnaghi’s City Walls for panoramic views of the Alazani Valley is a highlight of any visit.
Sighnaghi is also known for its tagline: ‘The City of Love’ as it’s possible to get married 24 hours a day in Sighnaghi. So many Georgians come here to wed their loved ones.
2. Alto Adige Wine Region, Italy
Alto Adige is positioned right below Austria at the tiptop of Italy and lies in a ‘Y’ shaped glacial valley. Years ago when there were no planes, this little valley used to be the main passage between Italy and the rest of Europe.
Vineyards creep up the sides of glacial valleys in horizontal rows. Though Alto Adige is quite tiny at only 13,000 acres it has 7 distinct growing sub-regions. The winery estates in this wine region are called “Schloss” which is the German word for castle or chateau. The city of Bolzano, located in the center of Alto Adige, has the most amazing scenery.
The exceptional scenario of the Trentino-Alto Adige wine region offers a wide range of landscapes: majestic white peaks, forests, wide valleys, rivers, lakes and enchanting views of the peaks of the Dolomites.
The most famous wine produced in Alto Adige is probably Gewürztraminer. The province also produces Kerner, Sylvaner and Veltliner, as well as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Still, the most notable wine from Alto Adige, after Gewürztraminer, is the model white wine of Germany: Riesling.
3. Western Cape Wine Region, South Africa
One of the most beautiful sites on Earth is the sunrise in South African wine country. You will be amazed by its red-tinted mountains, rugged cliffs, sloping vineyards and coastal areas that greet two oceans. The Western Cape is South Africa’s chief wine province and comprises all the nation’s top wine regions. It boasts some of the world’s oldest soils, a favorable Mediterranean climate, and cooling winds.
Chenin Blanc is the Cape’s signature grape, but Bordeaux- and Rhone-style blends, as well as the “Cape Blend” (about 30% Pinotage blended with Bordeaux varieties), are becoming some of its highest-scoring bottlings.
A wide variety of wines are produced here. Wines from the Shiraz and Pinotage grape varieties can be fresh and juicy or full-bodied and gutsy. The Western Cape’s elegant, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon wines and Bordeaux Blends were at the vanguard as exports recommenced in the mid-1990s, while Burgundy-style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are gaining global acclaim, and cool-climate style Sauvignon Blanc is rivaling that made in any other New World country.
Drinking wine never gets old, and these beautiful wine regions are always waiting for you.