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Wine regions of Russia: Crimea

The largest peninsula in Europe Crimea is only a small peninsula, so if you’ve ever had the feeling that it’s way bigger than it actually is, rest assured. “Crimea” consists of four regional areas: Black Sea, Crimean Mountains, Crimean steppe and Crimean South Coast. So basically there’s a lot of mountains; very little flat territory; and lots of water. The most prominent features are the narrow mountain formations known as the Crimean Mountains (also known as “the Caucasus”). These range in altitude from about 500 meters to 1,500 meters above sea level – you’re probably not going to see them… Read more

Wine regions of Hungary: Balaton

The largest lake in Central Europe Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe, covering about 217 square miles. It was formed by volcanoes about 1.5 million years ago, and is fed by underground springs. The lake is relatively shallow at only 12 feet deep on average and 75 miles long with a maximum width of 8 miles. A volcanic region The Balaton wine-growing area is located in a volcanic region at the western boundary of the Carpathian Mountain Range and the Transdanubian Mountains on the border between Hungary, Austria and Slovakia. This unique geographical position is protected from… Read more

Wine regions of New Zealand: Marlborough

The richest of New Zealand’s premium wine regions Here you’ll find Marlborough, the country’s largest wine-growing region and one of the richest in premium wine, accounting for 10 percent of New Zealand’s annual wine production. It’s also famous for its Sauvignon Blanc wines (the majority of New Zealand’s production), which are typically more fruity, tropical and herbaceous than their French counterparts. Let your nose lead you to this region’s best spots: Wineries like Cloudy Bay and Villa Maria have a cult-like following from Pinot Noir fans around the world. Fuller-bodied and aromatic wines With the proliferation of savoury, herb-driven white… Read more