One of the most prolific wine-producing countries in the world is Argentina. The hugely varied wine regions of Argentina have produced many incredible vintages that have attracted attention around the world. Because of the extreme terrain where many of these vineyards are located, Argentina is a great place to vacation. You can enjoy incredible wine, and learn about the country’s rich vinicultural traditions while touring vineyards that are situated in some of the most beautiful regions of the world. Let’s delve into the history of Argentinian wines, and some of the grape varietals that have made the country famous. The Rich History of Argentinian Wines Argentina has been producing wine since the 16th century. Grapevines were introduced to the country by Christian missionaries, and their cultivation was quickly adopted by locals. Until quite recently, Argentina produced more wine than any other country outside Europe, but it was largely consumed by locals. In the 1990s, a shift in wine exports began, spurred on by the devaluation of the Argentina peso. More foreign companies began investing in the wine regions of Argentina, and producers started exporting higher-quality wine. Now, people all over the world travel to Argentina for the privilege of getting to explore the wineries that produce their favorite wines. The Top Argentina Wine Regions Worth Exploring The beauty of Argentina and the high quality of their wines are the two reasons why they’ve seen so much vinicultural tourism. Most of the Argentina wine regions are spread out in a line along the western edge of the country and include some of the highest planted vineyards in the world. Mendoza Located along the central-western edge of the country, Mendoza is one of the largest wine-producing regions in the world. It has more area planted than all the vineyards of Australia and New Zealand combined.  Located in the shadow of Mt. Aconcagua, the vineyards in Mendoza are irrigated by runoff from Andean glaciers. Primarily, wineries here grow Criolla Grande, Cereza, and Malbec grapes- widely considered to be the most important grape varietal grown in Argentina.    San Juan Located just north of Mendoza, the San Juan wine region is much hotter and drier. Some of the oldest grapevines in Argentina are located here. The region produces many beautiful red wines, as well as grapes that are turned into sherry and vermouth, or eaten whole. Northwestern Argentina Northwestern Argentina is home to many smaller wine regions that are located almost 5,000 feet above sea level. Right now, they only account for around 2% of wine production in the country, but unique local vintages have attracted lots of attention worldwide, and investment in this area is increasing. Which Grape Varietals Flourish in Argentina? There are many grape varietals showcased in the delicious and unique wines from Argentina. Here are some of the most popular varietals grown across the country. Malbec The robust Malbec is Argentina’s most valuable grape varietal. It was introduced to the country from France in the 19th century, and has thrived in …

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Greece is one of the oldest wine producing destinations in the world, and Greek wine has come a long way in the last 6,500 years. Much of their early prestige and trading power came from their wine, and celebrations of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, were key in establishing Greek influence all over the Mediterranean. Although wine played a large role in establishing Greek culture around the Mediterranean, it eventually declined in popularity. By the early part of the 20th century, retsina (a type of wine that’s been exposed to pine resin) became the most popular drink in Greece. It also came to represent the Greek drinking culture internationally.  Fortunately, there are lots of Greek wine varieties available now, including some that have been grown in the country for thousands of years. The Origins Of Greek Wine It’s believed that grape vines and viticulture were introduced to Greece as early as the Neolithic period. Throughout antiquity, the country was so rich in wine that the best Greek wine varietals from that period are still well known. Thira, Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu were all popular wine-producing destinations with their own unique vintages. These vintages were exported around the country and to the surrounding area. The cults of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theatre, were extremely popular, and regional appreciation of wine lasted until the rise of the Ottoman Empire. At that point, religious prohibitions against drinking alcohol caused many Greeks to abandon their vineyards. This led to a downturn in wine production that lasted until the 19th century. Top Five Greek Wine Varieties To Know Even though Greek wine production languished for hundreds of years, modern-day vintners have been able to replant many native grape varietals. Here are some of the most popular Greek wine varieties from across the country. Assyrtiko  Assyrtiko (a-SEER-ti-ko) grapes are indigenous to Santorini, a picturesque volcanic island that lies south of mainland Greece. The wines that this grape produces are dry and crisp, with plenty of rich minerality from the ashy, volcanic soil. Now, it’s often planted on mainland Greece. Wines that are made with 100% Assyrtiko grapes have very high acidity, with notes of lemon, citrus, and ginger. Assyrtiko wine can be aged in oak for several months or even dried and made into a sweet wine.  Moschofilero  Found all over Greece, the Moschofilero (maw-sko-FEEL-ero) grape produces bold, spicy white wines. Many sommeliers compare Moschofilero wine to a Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier. Although the purple-skinned grape has been grown in Greece for centuries, it’s quite delicate and is sensitive to bad weather. Moschofilero wine is rich and spicy on the palate, with notes of honey, flowers, and citrus. Savatiano  The most popular grape varietal planted in Greece is the Savatiano (sa-va-tee-AH-no) grape. It’s most frequently used in the production of retsina, although it has been made into regular wine in recent years. These low-acid wines are intense and dry, with beautiful citrus, melon, and herb notes. Agiorgitiko The Agiorgitiko (i-your-YEE-ti-ko) red …

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Even though South Africa is classified as a New World wine region, it has many similarities to Old World regions like Italy and France. The earliest grapes were grown in South Africa in the 17th century, and wine has been produced there since. Stylistically, it provides a bridge between New World and Old World wines. The South African wine regions are all located in the Western Cape area. Although it may seem small, the Western Cape is home to around 270,000 acres of vineyards. This puts South Africa comfortably within the top 10 wine producing nations in the world. South African wines typically offer great value, with many wineries producing well-priced bottles that highlight the name of the grape varietal, rather than the region. You can find many incredible Sauvignon Blancs, Syrahs, and even Pinot Noirs. This South African wine guide will highlight some of the more familiar wines the country produces, as well as their more unusual varieties. Bridging Worlds: The History Of South African Wine Making South Africa has been a renowned wine producer since the 17th century. Colonizers cultivated grapes and produced a wine from the Constantia region that became famous throughout Europe. In the early years, it was primarily Dutch settlers that grew grapes. After a lull in the 19th century, there were many farmers who decided to re-plant their fields with grapevines. They produced so much wine that they flooded the market. Many growers took a loss. But some enterprising farmers used their surplus to make port, or Jerepigo, a sweet, fortified wine made from Muscat grapes. South African Wine Regions: An In-depth Look Most South African wine is now produced in the Western Cape area, which is split into several unique regions. Cape South Coast Cape South Coast is a recently designated wine region, which forms part of the Western Cape geographic unit. It contains the important sub-regions of Elgin and Walker Bay, both known for their cool climate thanks to Antarctic currents. Because of its proximity to the ocean, vineyards in this region tend to focus on cool-climate varieties, like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.   Franschhoek Many of South Africa’s oldest vineyards are located in Franschhoek, a former French colony in the Paarl region of the Western Cape. Full-bodied reds like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon have been produced here for centuries. Look for delicious sparkling wine from Franschhoek, made using the traditional Cap Classique method. Stellenbosch The Stellenbosch region is home to some of South Africa’s most famous wineries. It’s located between the Simonsberg and Hottentot Hollands mountains, which gives it a diverse range of micro-climates where Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes grow in abundance.  It’s also the home of Pinotage, a unique grape cultivar that began as a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault. What Are The Grape Varieties Of South Africa? The grapes that grow in the South African wine regions vary widely, because of the area’s diverse climate. Grape cultivars like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot benefit …

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An Introduction To New Zealand’s Wine Style The wine industry in New Zealand, although still relatively young, has received much success around the world. New Zealand has distinctive wine growing regions which spread both over its North and South islands. With more than 2000 vineyards stretching 1600 kilometres, this country’s wine offerings are as diverse as its beautiful landscapes. This New Zealand wine guide will introduce to you to some of this country’s magnificent wine growing regions. The country’s cool maritime climate makes it ideal for producing many unique and premium-quality wines. As a result of this, New Zealand winemakers have developed a diverse selection of wine styles. Sauvignon Blanc accounts for two-thirds of the wine produced in New Zealand. The explosive flavours that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc leaves on the tongue led to its superstar status in the over the last twenty years. Other wine growing regions of New Zealand are more known for their Chardonnay such as Gisborne’s rich and peachy offering. Or the internationally known soft and fruity Pinot Noir produced in Central Otago. A New World Wine Guide: Exploring New Zealand’s Vineyards Although the wine industry in New Zealand is still in its infancy, since bursting on to the global stage 25 years ago they have become a wine powerhouse. While there are over 2000 vineyards in New Zealand, this wine guide will focus on three regions in particular. These regions are Nelson, Central Otago and Marlborough. The Wine Region Of Nelson Situated on the northern tip of the South Island, the picturesque region of Nelson offers a Mediterranean climate and ideal aromatic grape varieties. Long known for its apple orchards and bountiful crops, Nelson is one of New Zealand’s smallest wine growing regions. Surrounded by mountains, it’s sheltered topography protects it from strong winds. While its proximity to the Tasman sea gives a cooler climate which is perfect for the production of aromatic wines. The region’s varying soil structure means that vineyards are split across two areas: the Moutere Hills and the Waimea Plains. Moutere Hills benefits from clay soils gives richness and texture to the grape varieties that are grown here. Whereas, the rockier soil and maritime influence in Waimea Plains give its wine a lighter and fresher style. Central Otago: The Most Southernly Wine Region Ringed by mountains and interlaced with lakes, Central Otago is known as one of New Zealand’s most spectacular wine regions. Located in the southwest of the South Island, it provides the ultimate semi-continental climate for the production of expressive and elegant wines. Due to the inland mountainous landscape, its unique climate and glacially deprived soils are ideal for the production of Pinot Noir. The vineyards of Central Otago produce not only Pinot Noir (although it accounts for 80% of wine production in this area) but also a variety of white wines. These include Reisling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Wines from Central Otago certainly have both a vibrancy and purity which is reflective of the beautiful landscape this region …

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Spanish wines are some of the richest in the world. They owe their prominence to a turbulent history, unique topography, and incredible spirit of the Spanish people. They both delight and challenge the drinker, and are continually redefining the conversation around the world of winemaking. This is a map to guide you on your Spanish wine journey. We look at the history of Spain’s winemaking, its wine regions and grapes, and some of the best Spanish wines to add to your collection. Modern vs Traditional: A Brief History Of Spain’s Wine Regions Spain’s history of winemaking goes back 3,000 years, but this rich tradition has run up against its share of historical roadblocks. Some of Spain’s vineyards can be traced back to 1,100 BC, and winemaking flourished. That is until the rule of the Moors from 711 AD to 1492 AD in which winemaking was outlawed. After this period winemaking bounced back in a big way, but the rise of the Franco regime in the 1930s meant that Spain’s wines were mostly kept within their borders. This dictatorship also prevented winemakers from adopting some of the modern winemaking methods spreading around the world. Traditional methods of the old world were maintained, often using unripe grapes and spurning stainless steels vats and sterile environments. The military dictatorship ended in the 70s, but even today many winemakers still prefer the old ways over the new. The overall character of Spanish wine benefits from the trials of history and the spirit of its people. Exploring The Spanish Wine Regions Spain is the third largest wine producer in the world and has 69 distinctive wine regions. A wine region in Spain is properly referred to as a “Denomination of Origin” (D.O.). Here we take a brief look at four: Rioja, Priorat, Penedès, and Costers del Segre. Rioja and Priorat are the only two Spanish wine regions that qualify as DOCa, the highest standard of quality that can be assigned to a D.O. Rioja This D.O. occupies 54,000 hectares of land in northern Spain around La Rioja, Basque Country and Navarre. It is undoubtedly Spain’s most famous wine region. The primary grape variety grown here is Tempranillo, oak aged to produce some of the most sophisticated red wines Europe. Priorat This low-yield region in Catalonia produces some of the highest quality wine in Spain. The vines that grow in these hilly, rocky vineyards 100m – 700m above sea level and produce grapes that create intense, full-bodied red wines. Penedès A short one hour drive south of Barcelona, Penedès is known for its traditional method sparkling Cava as well as dry white and red wines. Winemaking in this region dates back thousands of years, though most vineyards are about 40 – 90 years old. There are more than 140 wine producers making wine in this region. Costers del Segre Costers del Segre is Catalonia’s most inland wine producing region. Like Penedès, this region produces the grapes needed for Cava. Yet with its seven distinct districts with …

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Wine lovers in Ontario recognize the strides taken by the Ontario wine industry over the last 25 years. However, the Okanagan Valley has also come a long way in establishing itself as one of the premiere wine destinations in the world. Over the past 25 years, the Okanagan Valley wine industry has flourished. And it was recently voted one of the top wine destinations in the world, second only to Alentejo, Portugal according to a 2014 USA Today report. Why is the Okanagan Valley so Popular? Often referred to “Canada’s Napa Valley” or “Napa North”, the valley offers over 250 kilometers of stunning landscape . Though the Okanagan doesn’t necessarily compete with the scope and scale of the Niagara wine industry, (2,400 to 6,900 hectares), it arguably provides a richer experience owing to its lush environments and rich scenery. Not many other wine regions can offer the visitor a chance to bask in the sun, overlooking a lush vineyard, with a backdrop of a mountain ranges and winding rivers, all the while enjoying a glass of locally-produced wine. In addition to the allure of its surroundings, the southern B.C. region is home to some of the most fertile soils in all of Canada. The dry summer heat aids in the ripening of the grape varietals that produce its renowned wine. Wine and Grape Varieties The Okanagan Valley is home to over 200 licensed wineries which produce wine from over 60 different grape varieties. The style of wine made famous in the Okanagan is rich and ripe wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Like their counterparts in Ontario, Okanagan wineries can usually produce icewine every year. Planning a trip? If you are planning to take a trip out to the Okanagan Valley, it is always possible to fly into the Kelowna airport. However, we recommend going by train. Though 4,466 kilometers and 3 days of travel from Ontario to Vancouver may seem long, travel through Northern Ontario, prairie fields and Rocky Mountains is, for many, the trip of a lifetime. Travelling around the Okanagan is done best either by walking or cycling down the Kettle Valley Railway. This old railway line meanders along a scenic 600 kilometre route through South Central British Columbia giving visitors the opportunity to connect with many of the regions best wineries. Try to tie your visit in with one of the many Okanagan Wine Festivals. There are many events taking place all over the  Okanagan that will showcase the region’s passion for great wine making and the terrific wines produced there. For More information on the Okanagan Wine Festivals, please visit the website here: http://www.thewinefestivals.com/ Our Favourite Wines from the Okanagan Valley Are you interested in sampling some of the great wines this region has to offer? Here are some of our favourites available for immediate delivery. While it would be great to be enjoying these wines in the mountains of British Columbia, it’s great to know we can enjoy this wine in Ontario. Red Rooster …

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