Fine Wine, Fabulous Vacations
Where does the lover of fine wines go in 2018?
Besides the ubiquitous Napa Valley, Bordeaux region, and the Loire Valley, several other spots here and abroad are worth touring this year.
How about upstate New York, Oregon, or Washington?
Wineries in the Hudson Valley have earned national acclaim, as have some in the Finger Lakes region. More and more oenophiles are discovering Oregon’s Yamhill County, known for its outstanding pinot noir. The Walla Walla Valley contains dozens of wineries, including two of The Daily Meal’s top 10 in America.[1]
Outside of the U.S., how about these destinations?
A spring trip to New Zealand’s Central Otago region could acquaint you with a plethora of enchanting, aromatic riesling, gewürztraminer, and pinot gris, all during harvest time in the Southern Hemisphere. In Spain’s laidback La Rioja province, more than 500 wineries offer a vast array of robust reds. Or, you could tour the Stellenbosch Wine Route in South Africa’s Western Cape, home of great pinotage and chenin blanc.[2]
Whenever and wherever you go, make sure to follow some basics.
Take a designated driver, go early in the day if you can, and bring a foam shipping container or sturdy box to store wines you want to send home.