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Wine regions of Germany: Saale-Unstrut

Saale-Unstrut is a region in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, in eastern Germany. Saale-Unstrut is a region in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, in eastern Germany. It is situated in the northeast portion of Saxony-Anhalt and borders Thuringia. The area was home to the ancient Germanic tribe of the Sicambri. The area was home to the ancient Germanic tribe of the Sicambri. The tribe gave its name to the Saale and Unstrut rivers, whose confluence is just south of Naumburg. The Sicambri were of Celtic origin and were conquered by the Romans in 12 BC, after which they were incorporated into the… Read more

Wine regions of Russia: Volgograd

The region surrounding the city of Volgograd is an ideal place for growing wine grapes. Brewing and making your own wine is a hobby that can be enjoyed not only by you, but also by the whole family. And while there are a number of other regions in Russia that also produce some of the best wines in the world, if you’re looking for something unique to do, Volgograd region is a perfect place. It’s called the “wine capital” because it’s one of the ten main producing regions in Russia. The area has plenty of vineyards and quite an interesting… Read more

Wine regions of Spain: Rueda DO

Rueda is a DO wine region in northern Spain. Rueda is a DO (Denominación de Origen) wine region in the northern part of Spain. Its wines are known for their delicate, crisp, and dry taste. They are usually light-bodied, with aromatic notes of lime and lemon citrus making them a nice accompaniment to light fish dishes or as an aperitif. The region’s capital is Valladolid, which is also home to its main appellation – Rueda DO – that encompasses some 50 municipalities spread over more than 100 miles north-west of Madrid. The appellation takes its name from the Rueda plain… Read more

Wine regions of New Zealand: North Canterbury

North Canterbury is part of the Marlborough wine region, located in the northwest of New Zealand. North Canterbury is part of the Marlborough wine region, located in the northwest of New Zealand. North Canterbury is south of the equator, but because it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, its winter falls in summer. Because New Zealand sits on two tectonic plates, it has an unusual climate that combines cool continental weather and a marine influence. The wine industry has taken advantage of this unique set-up to create crisp whites and well-balanced reds. Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine producer by far; it… Read more

Wine regions of Portugal: Madeira & Pico Island (Azores)

Madeira Madeira is one of the oldest and most celebrated wine regions in the world. You may be familiar with our neighbour, Portugal, and its port cities such as Lisbon and Porto. But if you’re not aware of Madeira, think of it as an island off of Portugal that’s home to some of the best wines made in the world. Tourism focuses heavily on Madeira’s history as a center for trading caravans between Africa, Europe, and North America during the Age of Discovery. However, there are several other reasons why this region has earned its reputation for being one of… Read more

Wine regions of Spain: Ribera del Duero DO

Location The Ribera del Duero DO wine region is located in the northern region of Spain and is bordered by the Cantabrian Mountains to the north and the Arlanzón River to the south. The city of Valladolid is located in this wine region, as well as other smaller cities, like Roa de Duero and Peñafiel. Nearby wine regions include Rueda, Cigales and Toro. History Ribera del Duero DO was established in 1982, but the region has a long history of wine production. The winemaking tradition dates back to the Phoenicians, who first planted vines in Castile and León. Ribera del… Read more

Wine regions of New Zealand: Marlborough

Marlborough is the largest and richest of New Zealand’s top four premium wine regions, producing around 10 percent of the nation’s wine. 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… Read more

Wine regions of New Zealand: Wairarapa

Settled only relatively recently by Europeans, this coastal region has a strong maritime climate with warm temperatures. New Zealand’s Wairarapa region is relatively isolated, and it shows. Only recently settled by Europeans, the South Pacific coastal region benefits from a strong maritime climate that provides warm temperatures ideal for viticulture. The area is known for its Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay wines — particularly those produced in two of the region’s appellations, Martinborough and Gladstone. That said, the success of viticulture in the area has been a recent phenomenon; in fact, the first winery wasn’t established there until 1979.… Read more

Wine regions of Germany: Rheinhessen

Rheinhessen is the largest wine region in Germany, accounting for about a quarter of Germany’s total vineyard area. Rheinhessen is the largest wine region in Germany, accounting for about a quarter of Germany’s total vineyard area. Rheinhessen is located in the southwest of Germany. The region is bounded by Rheingau and Hessen on the north, by Nahe and Palatinate on the southwest and south, and by Baden on the east. The region is divided into two districts: Ingelheim & Alzey It lies northwest of the city of Mainz, stretching to Oppenheim on the Rhine in the north and to Worms… Read more

Wine regions of Chile: Casablanca Valley

Introduction The Casablanca Valley is located in central Chile, west of the capital, Santiago. The region has cool temperature climate and is best known for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. For Pinot Noir and Riesling, look to the Leyda Valley to the south. It was during the mid-1980s that the first vineyards were planted in Chile’s Casablanca Valley. Today, it has gained international recognition for producing some of the world’s finest white wines. History Let’s get one thing straight: In Chile, we drink a lot of wine. It has a long history on this continent and was already commonplace in pre-Hispanic… Read more