The Best Wine Regions for World Class Wines
Wine is something that connoisseurs in the UK take very seriously, and rightly so. The wine industry in Europe is enormous, and the UK is a major importer of wine from across Europe and the Americas. Wines from France, Italy and Spain are particularly popular in Europe, with wines from Germany and places like Chile also selling well among UK consumers. Every country, every region, and indeed every vineyard offers something different to suit a whole range of palates.The sheer diversity in winemaking means you could try a new bottle every night for life and still not have tried everything. This is helped by the fact that new and exciting vintages are bottled all the time, and many vineyards are keen to try experimental methods and blends to create special edition wines. It is a shame that so many of us fall into the trap of only drinking a certain kind of red or a certain kind of white when there are so many delicious experiences to be had.Italy
Home to some of the best loved regions in Europe, Italy is known for its world class wines. Italy has historically been a prolific producer of wine, though production in the country as a whole has flagged a little in recent decades. This is down to an increasing level of urbanisation, and many of the younger people living in rural areas are leaving in favour of the larger towns and cities. To combat this, more investment in the Italian wine industry has led to better interest and higher profits for growers, helping to ensure the future of winemaking in Italy.France
Considered by many to be the spiritual home of wine, France has some of the most famous and most well respected wine regions in the world. If you are even mildly interested in wine, the chances are you have tried something from France at some point. While Italy may make more wine by volume, French wine has a reputation for being extremely high quality, diverse and delicious.Some French wines are reminiscent of other European wines. For example, Champagne has a similar mouthfeel and effervescence to a good Italian prosecco but the flavour profile is completely different. The unique qualities of the French landscape and climate impart a character to the wines that simply cannot be replicated by any other region.Spain
Spanish wines invoke the climate they are made in, giving us abundant, fragrant aromas and a kaleidoscope of flavours and colours. One of the most popular Spanish wines among drinkers in the UK is rioja, known for its richness and robust flavours. Perhaps surprisingly, Spain has more vineyard acreage than any other in the world, though yields per acre are relatively low compared to other regions. Despite the lower volumes of wine made in Spain, some of the grapes grown here are used to make some top selling wines including tempranillo, garnacha and bobal.The USA
The most prolific wine region in the USA is California which exports a lot of wine to the UK. The world’s largest wine producer, Gallo, is based here and is a name familiar to most people who drink wine. White wines are big business in California, and chardonnay is probably the most notable variety grown here, though sauvignon blanc is also incredibly popular. Despite the prevalence of white wines in the USA, the country also offers some extremely promising reds such as merlot, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon.Other noteworthy wine-producing countries
Though the winemaking regions mentioned above are some of the most popular and productive in the world, there are lots more to discover. Up and coming wine regions are found all over the world, but one of the most significant today is China. Wine has been made in China historically, and some of the oldest evidence of winemaking is found here. Over time, wine production in China ground to a near halt, though recent interest in the wine industry has attracted investors and people looking to make a name for their Chinese wine brands. South American regions are also making waves in the wine industry, such as Chile, Argentina and Brazil.Resources:
- Champage - Notist
- Sparkling Wine - Renku
- Dessert Wine - Hope