New World Wine Regions:
United States
There are two histories of wines in the USA. On the 1500s on the east coast and others on the 1600s in some northeast settlements. Most of the wine industry started flourish on the mid 1850 with a Hungarian guy named Agoston Haraszthy, that is consider the pioneer of the California wine industry. The famous blind test called: “Judgement of Paris” in 1976 was the breaking point that turned Napa Valley into a well-recognized international wine producer of fine wines. Today United States is the fourth producer of wine in the world. Main Regions are California (Redwoods, North Coast, Sierra Foothills, Inland Valleys, Central Coast, South Coast). Oregon (Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, and Columbia Valley). Washington State (Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley). New York State (Hudson River, Long Island, Finger Lakes, and Lake Erie). The famous Napa Valley is located in the North Coast, north of San Francisco.
Australia
Australia is a continent located between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean in the Southern hemisphere, it is the largest Country on earth and almost the size of the United States. Because of lack of available labor Australia has develop several techniques and equipment’s to be effective on wine producing. In the late 18s Century Wineyards were planted in South Wales and multiples areas across the southern portion of the country. Famous for Shiraz (Syrah) wines that are very popular and recognizable around the world. Main Regions are: Southeastern Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
South Africa
South Africa long history of wine production dates back to the seventeen century, the Cape became a refueling and trade station for ships on the way to India and beyond. The first Wines were planted in 1655 but did not really begin until 1688 when the French start coming to the Cape with the skill for wine producing and boost the wine industry. Chenin Blanc is famous here with Constancia being the center of it, Stellenbosh with a wine university is considered the most important center for wine producing in South Africa. Main regions are: Swartland, Paarl, Constantia, Stellenbosch and Walker Bay.
Argentina
Argentina is the eight largest wine producers in the world and the largest in South America. Italian and Spanish immigration to the country at the 19th century contributed to the wine industry here. The Malbec wines are becoming very well known around the world and some people consider that Argentina should be part of the old world when discussion is around wine. Mendoza is the main region and the main producer of Malbec. Beautiful landscape at some high-altitude Wineyards that brings around 75% of all wine production in Argentina. Main regions are: Salta, Tucuman, Catamarca, La rioja, San Juan, Mendoza and Patagonia. In 2023 Argentina finished 9 in the world exporter with approx. $652 millions.
Chile
During the mid sixteen century viticulture arrived in Chile from Spain. The French were excited about the growing prospective and terroir, some Bordeaux varieties were import like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the 1990s it was found that Carmeniere was wrongly mistaken for Merlot and the Chilean industry started getting recognition around the international market. Main Regions are Aconcagua Valley, Casablanca Valley, Sant Antonio, Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley and Maule Valley.
New Zealand
The North Island and the South Island that are located approx. 3000 miles east of Australia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The first Wines were planted early on the nineteenth century by a British immigrant. The famous area of Marlborough gained popularity by the late 1990s with the very flavorful Sauvignon Blanc and today New Zealand continues to gain share in the international market. Pinot Noir is also popular in the Central Otago region. Main Regions are: North Island (Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa), South Island (Marlborough, Canterbury, Central Otago).
Old World Wine Regions:
France
French wines trace its history to the 6th Century BC, France basically have a wine for every region and a region for every wine, most of the grapes planted around the world are originated in France, specially the most popular like: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and others. All the regions have their own terroir with different climates that contribute to the varieties of fine wines that have been sold around the world for centuries and still do today. French wine labels reference to where the grapes are grown. A specific place makes a specific type and quality of wine. Traditional ways of wine making are originated in France. The main wine regions in France are Bordeaux (The most famous and influential region), Burgundy (The home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Rhone Valley, Alsace (One of the most famous for sparkling wines), Loire Valley (The Home of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc), Champagne (The most famous for same name sparkling), Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon.
Italy:
Italy produces wine in almost all the boot peninsula from the north to the south and the islands. The Etruscan and Greek settlers produced wine in Italy before the Romans, some evidence reveals that Wines were planted in the boot peninsula since the 3rd Century, mostly concentrated around Roma. The Roman Empire played a big roll on spreading Italian wines throughout Europe. In fact, Italy was the biggest wine producer in the world for many years until last year(2023) that France became the first, followed by Italy. Italian wines are very popular around the world due to its varieties, quality, and affordability. Main regions are: Northern Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Acosta Valley, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia Romana), Central Regions (Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, Lazio), Southern regions (Campania, Molise, Sardinia, Cicily, Calabria, Puglia, Basilicata).
Spain:
The Country of VINO. Spain is the largest planted acreage of any wine producing country in the world, but the third in global production after Fance and Italy. Some evidence of Wines planted in Spain date back even before the Phoenicians, about 3000 years BC. Then under Roman rules, Spanish wines were exported all over the Roman Empire. Spain is the Home of the very well-known grape Tempranillo that is very popular around the world and Wines of it are planted in many regions outside Spanish territory. Main Regions are Galicia (Rias Baixas), Castilla y Leon (Ribera del Duero), La Rioja, Catalonia (Penedes, Priorat), Castilla La-Mancha, Andalucia (Sherry Country).
Portugal
The wine production and plantation of Wines was introduced in Portugal during the Roman Empire and other people trading in the south area through Spain. Very rich country in unique and native varieties that produce very high-quality wines. Recently Portugal has invested in equipment and innovation that propelled the wine production and started getting recognition around the international wine marketing. Port fortified wine is very well recognized around the world. Main Regions are: Vinho Verde, Douro Valley, Bairrada, Dao, Alentejo.
Germany
The Home of the highest Wineyards in the northern hemisphere and the most famous country for Riesling wines that can be from driest to succulent sweets. Germany is leading the world in organic wines producing. Main Regions are: Rheingau (the most famous for Riesling Wines planting and wines production), Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen, Pfals, Baden, Wurtemberg, Franken, Hessische Bergstrasse.
Greece
Greece is the oldest wine producing country in the world. There are evidence of wine production and Greek wines from 6000 yrs ago. The Greek civilization spread through the mediterranean with the wine cultured, the ancients Greek introduced Wines as the Vitis vinifera and made wines in France, Italy and Spain. Main Regions are: Macedonia, Central Greece, Southern Greece and Aegean Islands (The most famous white wine from Greece is the Assyrtiko from the Island of Santorini).
Austria
Some archeological studies found grape growing about 4000 yrs ago in Austria, a small country that produced around 1% of the wines of the world, a lot for such a small Country, but Austrians love wine. Very impressive to see Wineyards around the capitol Vienna that had been there for thousands of years. The Gruner Veltliner is a very well recognized grape responsible for most of the very high-quality wines. Most important regions are: Niederösterreich, Vienna, Burgenland, Styria.
Hungary:
Home of the famous Tokaji Aszu sweet wine around the world. Tokaj is the region that have the most planted grapes that make this wine famous, this region is a UNESCO site Heritage. Furmint is the most important grape in Tokaj Wineyards. Most important Regions are: Tokaj, Eger, Villany, Somlo.