Europe is where the heart of the wine world truly beats. This is where the best wines in the world originate. The most popular wine regions include France, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, and Germany, which are eagerly visited by those interested in enotourism. What does it involve, which local European wines are the best, and where is it worth bringing back such a souvenir from?
Enotourism
The ease of travel has led tourists to visit specific places in Europe for just a few days. Some collect magnets, others try local dishes, and still others observe local nature. A round-trip plane ticket often costs as much as a weekend event in a big city, so such purposeful trips no longer surprise anyone.
One type of such travel is enotourism. It involves visiting places that are in some way related to wine – you can tour wineries, participate in wine events, or go to establishments described online as specializing in serving original types of wine. Popular destinations for enotourists include France, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, and Germany. It is there that you can taste the best wines in all of Europe. Which regions of these countries should you visit and which beverages should you choose?
French wineries
French wine evokes associations with elegance, romance, love, or a date. In terms of production volume, France is an undisputed leader. Popular varieties such as Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chenin Blanc come from this country. When searching for dry and sweet wines in stores, we might only be met with a sympathetic smile – such a classification does not exist in this country. To understand what we are dealing with, we must pay attention to the labels: vin de table (the cheapest table wines, blends of vintages or grape varieties), vin de pays (after the word pays comes the name of the region from which the wine originates), VDQS wines (few regional wines striving for the highest class) and AOC (the most expensive wines produced under strict standards). This classification is much more complicated, and the most interesting wines for enotourists are those from specific regions. You will find them in the south and central parts of the country. When visiting Provence, the Loire Valley, Jura and Savoie, Champagne, Alsace, the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, Languedoc or Bordeaux, remember to buy a bottle of wine as a souvenir to drink at home in an elegant glass during a romantic dinner.
Wine from Italy
Italy is a region of Europe where this beverage has been served since antiquity. Wine accompanies Italians at lunches and dinners, during meetings with family and friends, or parties for colleagues. Wines are diverse – from very sweet, like Moscato Bianco, to extremely dry. If dinner consists of many courses, a different type of this beverage is served with each, to highlight the flavor of the dish. Here, too, we will not encounter the Polish classification of sweet and dry wines – instead, their region of origin is provided.
Places that can be destinations for enotourists include Lombardy, Umbria, Sicily, Abruzzo, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, and many others. If we are going to Italy, let's check which wine region is nearby, and then order a glass of red or white wine from that place during a dinner consisting of local delicacies.
Spanish vineyards
Spanish wines appeared as early as 2500-3000 years ago. Although the Romans developed its production to the maximum for ancient times, the invasion of the Muslim Moors caused the decline of this tradition and the collapse of winemaking in this area for the next nine centuries. Today, there is no other country where vineyards occupy such a large area. No wonder – the Spanish climate is perfect for growing grapes.
The wine regions of Spain are differentiated by their specific microclimate and soil quality. These allow for the development of specific grape varieties. The best white wines are therefore produced in cool Galicia, and red wines in less humid Castile-Leon. Be sure to try wines from La Rioja, Navarre, or Aragon. A glass of legendary Priorat from Catalonia or sparkling Cava is one of the best memories for enotourists who visit these European regions.
Georgian beverages
Although wines have been produced in other countries since ancient times, there is no older wine region than Georgia. There, viticulture probably began as early as 7,000 BCE, meaning the roots of these activities coincide with the beginnings of human civilization. It is not without reason that the unique method of winemaking by Georgians, which involves burying clay vessels filled with wine in the ground, sometimes for up to 50 years, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Drinking wine in Georgia also involves a multitude of traditions. It is mainly used for toasts. In some regions, it is even considered improper to reach for a glass until the host finishes their speech (and these can last a very long time). Wines from Georgia can be semi-sweet, semi-dry, or dry. The most famous varieties are Mukuzani, Saperavi, Tsinandali, Pirosmani, and Kindzmarauli.
Hungarian wine varieties
Hungary is not a region that immediately comes to mind when we think of wine. However, it is from there – from wineries located in as many as 22 regions, including Mátra, Szekszárd, Sopron, Somló, and Mór – that some of the world's most famous wines originate. This is all thanks to sophisticated recipes and developed indigenous varieties, from which mainly white wines are produced in the north and several varieties of southern red wines.
One Hungarian wine, however, is known worldwide. Tokaj, a white dessert wine from northern Hungary, is even mentioned in the Hungarian national anthem! If we visit Hungary, be sure to bring back a bottle of Tokaj as a souvenir to enjoy with friends.
Moldovan delicacies
Moldova is a must-visit destination for enotourism. This country promotes itself with the best wine varieties, which are very strongly linked to local history and culture. Thanks to a climate ideal for growing plants and thousands of years of winemaking tradition, Moldovan wines are considered among the best in the world. Sweet wines are made in the north, while the best varieties of Merlot and Rara Negra are produced in the south. Enotourists most often visit Et Cetera, Chateau Vartely, Cricova, and Vinaria Purcari wineries. It's worth popping over to this country for a glass of wine and returning home the next day. Such a trip will certainly be an extraordinary adventure.
German wines at your fingertips
Germany ranks seventh in the world for wine production. Their Rieslings, Dornfelders, and Regenten are very popular. When buying German wine, pay attention to the classification. Table wines are labeled as Tafelwein. Regional wines are Landwein. The best wines are distinguished by the QbA and QmP classifications. In this country, as in Poland, you can buy sweet, semi-sweet, semi-dry, and dry wines. When visiting Württemberg, try a glass of the local red wine. It may turn out that excellent wine can also come from a country where there is little sunshine for half the year.