A journey of sensory discovery

Map The Wine

Wine regions of Portugal: Beira Interior

(Sobral de) Canas de Santa Maria The first time I was asked to write a blog, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to say. But after realizing that this would be an opportunity to share my enthusiasm for wine with the world, I started thinking about which region of Portugal could best express my love. Luckily, my research immediately presented me with Sobral de Canas de Santa Maria, a tiny and picturesque district located in the northern tip of Portugal along the Atlantic Ocean and inland from the Bay of Biscay. This is the place where the most famous… Read more

Wine regions of the United States: New York State

New York has one of the most comprehensive wine industries in the United States. New York’s expansive wine-making industry is a point of pride for the Empire State, and the state ranks as the third-largest producer of wine in the U.S. New York has become well known for white wines like Riesling and Chardonnay, as well as reds like Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. At one time, New York was not just a source of wine but also a major contributor to America’s brewing game: post-Prohibition, New York City produced more beer than any city except Milwaukee. While it… Read more

Wine regions of South Africa: Paarl

Paarl lies about 50km northeast of Cape Town, in the valley of the Berg River and the Paarl Mountains. Paarl lies about 50km northeast of Cape Town, in the valley of the Berg River and the Paarl Mountains. The region is home to a number of well-known wine estates such as Fairview, KWV and Nederberg. The soil is mostly shale, which helps to hold moisture while allowing good drainage. Most vineyards are on south-facing slopes, with vines planted at fairly high density. The name means “pearl” in Afrikaans, reflecting the former name of a town which lies at the centre… Read more

Wine regions of China: Ningxia

wine making in China is mainly located in the north, especially in Ningxia. If you think of China as a country that produces only rice wine, it’s time to expand your horizons. Although the main wine-making regions are located in the north, primarily in Ningxia, winemaking has been taking place on Chinese soil since the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). There were two attempts by the French to introduce and develop the tradition of viniculture in China. The first attempt was between 1892 and 1895 during the Qing Dynasty, resulting in little success. However, this second attempt was… Read more

Wine regions of Portugal: Minho (Vinho Verde)

Region has both a geographic and administrative definition. This region is divided into two subregions: the Trás-os-Montes Wine Route and Public Wine Cellars in Vila Real de Santo António. The Minho is north of the Douro and more eastern than the Trás-os-Montes. Minho is known for making Vinho Verde. You’ll find Minho in the northwest corner of Portugal, neighboring Spain. This region has over 30 wineries offering unique characteristics for visitors to discover. It is located between Douro and Trás-os-Montes (east of Trás-os-Montes). Trás-os-Montes is the central mountain range of the Portuguese interior, covering 68,000 km². Travelling in Portugal was… Read more

Wine regions of the United States: Virginia

Virginia is the fifth largest wine producer in the United States. Virginia is the fifth largest wine producer in the United States. It also has a rich history of viticulture, dating back to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate and beyond. Today, Virginia boasts more than 230 wineries and is home to a variety of wine styles, including Albariño, Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Meritage blends. Virginia wines can be found throughout the country and enjoyed at top restaurants such as Blue Duck Tavern in Washington DC. Virginia’s vineyards are a half-century older than those in California. Did you know that Virginia is… Read more

Wine regions of Hungary: Pannon

The geography and climate of the Pannon region Located in east central Hungary, the Pannon wine region is home to the country’s largest wine-growing area and one of its most popular wines: Egri Bikavér. You’ll find this region near Lake Balaton, which is a magnet for tourists across eastern Europe during the summer months. It has a continental climate and experiences warm summers, cold winters and annual rainfall of around 560 millimeters. There are over 6,600 hectares of land devoted to vineyards here and they are mostly located on flat plains – it can get very windy in this region.… Read more

Wine regions of Chile: Aconcagua Valley

The Aconcagua Valley is a wine region of Chile, located in the Valparaiso Region. The Aconcagua Valley is a wine region of Chile, located in the Valparaiso Region. It is one of the main wine regions of Chile and has been for a long time. The valley is located in the central valley of Chile, a small portion of which lies in the Aconcagua province, but most lies in the Aconcagua region. It is named after its main river, which means in many ruins “Aku-Kon-Hau,” or “Tears of the Sun god.” Aconcagua River is Chile’s longest river and it has… Read more

Wine regions of the United States: Washington State

Washington State is the second largest wine producing region in the United States. You may be surprised to learn that Washington State is the second largest wine producing region in the United States. California is, of course, #1; Oregon comes in at #3, New York at #4 and Texas at #5. Other states produce wine as well! Because the state has been producing wine for over 125 years, Washington State’s wineries have a wealth of experience and an unparalleled knowledge of the area’s grape-growing regions. Wine grapes are grown throughout 13 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Eastern Washington’s Columbia Valley… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Württemberg

Location Württemberg is situated in south-western Germany, near the border of France and Switzerland, with the cities of Stuttgart and Heilbronn at its centre. The climate here has a Mediterranean influence due to its proximity to Lake Constance—the second largest freshwater lake in central Europe. This is also the reason why most Württemberg wine estates are located on the hillsides surrounding this body of water. Situated so close to the Neckar River, which makes a dramatic journey from its source near Schwäbisch Hall all the way to Mannheim where it meets up with the Rhine—over 200 kilometres away—this wine region… Read more