If you are a wine lover these destinations are for you
Maria Savva
Although most people travel to see new cultures through the architecture, food and monuments of each country, others prefer to taste the culture of a country through the wines it offers.
So if you are a person who loves wine then below you will find five destinations that will be your “dream vacation” to try the wines that each country and/or region has to offer.
China
There is a misconception that China is not experienced in winemaking. Well, they have many vineyards scattered all over the country which push them to the top of the countries to visit if you love wine that is different in taste.
Xinjiang province is home to most of China's vineyards. Their varieties here are the usual Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. The region has not always been part of the winemaking scene in China, but they have changed that recently. Xinjiang mainly sold unblended wines to other regions, but now they have their own bottled varieties and are even better at it.
On the other hand, Beijing is probably the area you want to visit the most if you like wine. They don't work on the same scale as in Xinjiang (since they don't have as much land to work with). But their small, cozy wineries are perfect for tourists. They even offer wine tours of the Great Wall of China!
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Germany
Germany is one of those countries you have to visit if you love wine with such diverse flavors that it makes people wonder if their bottles didn't come from a different part of the globe. The sunny Mosel region allows the grapes to ripen to a high sugar level. In turn, this gives Mosel wines their distinctly tropical flavor.
The Schloss Johannisberg castle and winery is open to tourists who want to enjoy a Riesling while admiring the Rhine River from the terrace. The Pfalz and Rheinhessen are also great areas to explore. Known as Germany's top wine producer, it houses a restaurant literally built in a giant barrel.
Portugal
You can visit Lisbon for some sightseeing and a delicious food and wine experience with Inside Lisbon. Needless to say, there are plenty of wines to enjoy in the Portuguese capital. Mix in some cheeses and other Portuguese delicacies and you've got yourself a culinary paradise.
The tour includes a moment to explain which foods go with which wines – followed by some actual wine tasting, of course. You can enjoy white wine with delicious cod and some sweet Port wine served with traditional Portuguese desserts. Most importantly, if you visit, you must try the unique Portuguese vinho verde.
Besides, you don't get on a list of wine-loving countries without having an ace up your sleeve. Vinho verde literally means 'green wine', although it is more accurately translated as 'young wine'. Don't worry, you won't be drinking strange colored wine. They are usually consumed immediately after bottling and have a tropical aroma, with a little added fizz.
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Chile
Chile has something for everyone in terms of geographical areas. Take the surreal Atacama Desert, for example, with landscapes that sometimes look ripped straight from Mars. Would you expect the same country to house glaciers and fjords on the other side?
In any case, Chile's geographical diversity means you also have a wide variety of wines to choose from. The Central Valley region produces much of Chile's fruity Cabernet Sauvignons. If you are a fan of unique flavors like vinho verde from Portugal, try the Carmenere variety. Originally from Bordeaux, this grape is now grown almost exclusively in the Chilean region.
Don't limit yourself to this region just because it has such good wine. Chile is one of those countries you must visit if you love wine that is both good value and suitable for the most discerning taste buds. If you care for a Carignan or a Malbec, you can visit the amusingly named Bio Bio region. Otherwise, even the Atacama region has rich Syrah aromas at your disposal.
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Australia
Home to more than 60 wine regions, Australia has quite a few wide variety to choose from. The continent is ideal for foodies and wine connoisseurs. There are many food and wine festivals held throughout the year that you can enjoy with your friends.
For example, every May, hundreds of chefs and winemakers gather at the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival. Apparently, thousands of foodies flock here for the delicacies and cooking classes, while wine connoisseurs dig into Chambourcin wines and award-winning Chardonnays.
