Argentina
Argentina
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RegionsAs wines have sprouted up from regions all over the world, there are particular regions that are more apt to produce certain wines. The French term terroir encapsulates the notion that the unique combination of climate, soil composition and location contributes to the quality and character of a wine. Wine is often said to reflect the terroir from which it came. |
The lush wine country of Argentina is invaluable to Latin American and to the world. From geography to consumption, this country enjoys wine, consuming more vino per capita than any other Latin American country. Sporting a huge winegrowing region, Argentinean vineyards extending north and south as well as vertically, capitalizing on air space with the Andes.
Australia
Australia
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In 2007, for the first time, Australia surpassed France in imports to the US. While many Australian brands are known for their colorful labels and animal extremity in the name, it's popularity in the wine world is more likely attributed to the combination of sunny climates, huge plantings of venerable varieties, like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and sheer talent and technical know-how that are driving demands. There are no indigenous vines to Australia, however, that's par for the course with an "adopt-and-perfect" philosophy such as this. It's really no surprise these likeable mates are making a move from down under to topping wine export lists.
California
California
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It hasn't always been domestic bliss; these West Coast wines have a history as complex as their impeccable flavor; plagued with pretense, politics and national and natural tragedies, California has proved it is definitely an enduring state. After missionaries benevolently planted vinifera grapes in California around 1780, these vines spent the next few eternities doing the kind of penance that certainly earned them their righteous flavor.
Canada
Canada
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Oh Canada, I was making a mental list of great wine-producing regions and you were not on it: France, Italy, Spain, California. Canada? It is exactly this perception and a tricky climate that presents the challenges our northern neighbors have worked hard to overcome and produce a great product.
France
France
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Very little needs to be said to defend the reputability and popularity of French wine. France produces more fine wine than any other country, and has been one of the most influential wine producers for centuries. Furthermore, most of the industry’s international terminology originated in France, including the First Growth classification structure and the notion of terroir - the belief that the synergy between soil, exposure and slope shapes a wine's character and influences its quality. Their terroir philosophy even systemically influenced the industry with the creation of Appellation Controlée - a system certifying geographical locations to guarantee products from the area are characteristically up to par; thereby, ensuring quality. Wine is a fundamental part of French culture, which can be expected of a country so enthralled with gastronomy. Winemaking in France is truly an art as well as a science, and when it comes to wine, the French are the cream of the crop.
Greece
Greece
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The epic tale of Greek wine dates back as far as the 7th century BC and on through the Classical Greek and Roman eras. Like pretty much everything, expansion of viticulture to the rest of the Mediterranean is credited to Greece. While other cultures of the time were content with mere mortal beverages like beer or "wine" made from dates or the lotus plant, Greeks worshipped and found their cultural identity in wine in the form of Dionysus, god of wine. Medicine, religious ceremonies, social occasions, meals - most everything in Greece involved or revolved around the fruit of the vine.
Italy
Italy
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Wine has always played an essential part in the daily life in Italy. In fact, until as recently as the late ‘80s, it was inconceivable to serve a meal without it. So while Greece might boast the birthplace of civilization, Italy is the vintage mother of winemaking as Roman legions spread the art throughout Italy and the whole of Western Europe- arguably the birthplace of viticulture is the true birthplace of culture. Second only to Spain in land under the vine, Italy differs from Spain and France in that grapes are grown in virtually every region of the country. From the cool Alpine hillsides of the North, to the southern island of Sicily, to the shady, umbrellaed central region of Umbria- Italy has it covered.
JapanSake is a fermented beverage made primarily from rice and brewed using koji, yeast and water (but not just any water). Home to various kinds of natural water, the quality of water used in brewing sake is incredibly important to Japan. The producers of the well-acclaimed shizu-no-mai are proud to create their artisan sake with what is considered to be the purest water since the time of the Samurai. Sake’s alcohol content ranges from 13% to 16%. Sake is a trademark of Japan and represents many of the ideals the Japanese embrace. From its earliest beginnings, sake has been a drink of reverence, family and friendship, consumed to mark important occasions. With this revered drink comes a series of traditions. One tradition holds that a person must never pour their own sake; instead another person (a friend or family member) ours for you, and you do the same for them. While this rice wine is a mainstay in Japan, sake has become an international player that is here to stay. |
New Zealand
New Zealand
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New Zealand winemaking has existed since the early 1800s. In fact, the modern wine industry owes much to the efforts of eastern European immigrants who settled in New Zealand around the beginning of the 20th century. These stalwart settlers from Croatia and Lebanon thumbed their noses at native naysayers and planted new varieties, introducing the skeptical populace to a brand new spin on bottled bliss.
OregonActivists such as Richard Sommer of Hillcrest Vineyards, Susan and Bill Sokol Blosser (eponymous winery) and David Lett of Eyrie vineyard recognized the similarities in latitude and soils with France’s Burgundy region, and they proved skeptics wrong. Once again, one of America’s very own pleasantly surprised the world when Oregon Pinot Noirs dominated their French counterparts are the Paris tasting in 1979. So impressed was famous Burgundian negociant, Robert Druhin, that in 1987 he purchased vineyards neighboring the Sokol Blosser estate in Oregon’s famous Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley. |
South Africa
South Africa
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A victim of Old World colonization this New World wine producer actually has some vintage roots. The first grapes were pressed for wine at the Cape in 1659 under the command of Jan van Riebeeck. He had come to the Cape in 1652 with the always noble and selfless task of establishing a settlement on behalf of the Dutch East India Company- gifting the people with more than just the sheer benevolence of Dutch influence, but Dutch intoxication as well. While laws and languages in the region changed depending on who had a better poker hand, vineyards stayed planted, not developing until more extensive investment over a generation later.
Spain
Spain
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Historically, Spain has been known for cellaring some amazing conquistadors- the kind of fortified wines that conquer the palate. But like a true adventurer, it has spent the last 25 years bringing something new to the table and becoming an international leader in several renowned white and red table varietals. Not to be outdone, Spain ranks first in area covered by winegrowing regions, claiming 15.5% of the world's vineyards, and lives in a boast-worthy bronze age as the third largest producer of wine behind Italy and France.
SwitzerlandLeave it to an innovative country like Switzerland whose chocolate and watches set the standard for the rest of the world, to produce a vodka from grain. Prior to 1999, it was illegal to distill grains grown in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the tenacious Swiss ingenuity along with the inspiration from the family owned DIWISA (Distillery Willisau, SA), the law was changed, and DIWISA created the one and only Swiss vodka, Xellent. A jack of all trades, Switzerland also produces some remarkable wines, although only about one percent of it is exported. Their wine would not be truly Swiss if it were not one of a kind; Switzerland has a variety of distinctive white wines, defined by unusual grape varieties that are adapted to the country’s climates and terroirs. The most widely known Swiss white comes from the Chasselas (Fendant) grape – Switzerland being the only country to have success with this grape. Switzerland also grows Petite Arvine, Cornalin and the Riesling crossbreed variety, Muller-Thurgau; however, during the last five years, these uncommon varietals have made room for more popular global varietals, including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. |
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