I keep seeing all of these wine trip contests going around Twitter and Facebook. In the last week I have seen contests for prizes in Italy, Austria, and Argentina. I also saw that fellow wine blogger @Sonadora left for Portugal this week, and @Makerstable had a great post on Palate Press about her honeymoon in the Rhone (Part 1 & Part 2). All of these trips have gotten me thinking about where I would go if I could choose one place for a wine trip.
There are so many great locations that a person could go for a wine vacation. You can go to Napa, or to Tuscany. There's Mendoza, Burgandy, or Rioja. Right now I would have to say that I would choose Tuscany. I have been totally crushing on Italian wines here recently, and the combination of food and wine there just seems like something that would be incredible to experience.
So, if you could only choose one wine region to go on vacation, where would it be? I would also love to hear cool stories about places that you have been. Please share.
As a pretty hardcore francophile, I must opt for France, but have been drinking Spanish wines lately and wouldn’t mind buzzing over there if I’m in the area.
You know – I’ve been to France twice and lived there for two long periods. It’s a wonder I never got more involved in wine tourism! I did get to go to VinExpo in BDX in 2007, which was amazing. Spain and Italy are both top notch as far as regions are concerned too. You’re right though – there’s just so much. I would really love to visit Germany or Australia/New Zealand, but would never ever turn down a trip to one of the old world “big 3!” Cheers!
I would have to say Greece. Mostly because I want to go to Greece. The wine there would be secondary, so I suppose if the total focus was WINE, then I would have to say Bordeaux. The history, the atmosphere and the wine – cest la vie!
Josh @nectarwine on twitter
For the wine, Argentina. For the trip, New Zealand. For novelty, Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state).
Megan, where in France would you be most interested in visiting? I would really love to visit the Rhone region.
Food played an important role in my choice of Italy, so wine doesn’t have to be the only motivating factor.
Ryan, I would love to spend some significant time in Europe like that. I would love to go to any of the “big 3″ as well. France has always been my top choice in the past. I’ve only recently moved Italy up on my list.
Yeah, Greece would be awesome too Josh. I think that is an acceptable choice here. They do have wine, after all.
I have had the opportunity to do a few vino-cations, with my favorites being Australia, Rhone (that’s a frequent stop now), Champagne and South Africa, though all of them are amazing experiences and I have had no “bad” vino-cations. Top of the list for next visit is New Zealand, as I also want to see the country beyond wine. For just wine, the Loire and Rioja top the list of ideal “next stops.” Though like Josh, I want to visit Greece, as well!
Italy. (For you, dear.)
Nice choice with Georgia. Going back to the cradle, I like it.
Hands down the Loire Valley!
I would go with Tuscany! After that I want to go to Australia, New Zealand, and then Loire!
There’s just too many places I want to visit… now the question is, how can I make it happen?
Any ideas?
In an ideal world, I would traverse the entire country for a month visiting the Loire Valley, Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux, even the little tucked away vineyards and hole-in-the-wall wine bars in Paris.
Randy, I’m working on that question myself. So far I just keep entering contests on Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks for picking Italy, my lovely Elizabeth. You are the best wife. Now I’m pricing plane tickets.
I guess I’m lucky to live here in the Loire! Not too far from St. Nicholas de Bourgueil. Please don’t hate me!
Too late.
Just kidding, I am envious, but no hatred. It must be awesome to live in the Loire. Is there some other wine destination that you haven’t been to that you would like to visit?
My next trip will be to the Willamette Valley of Oregon, then hopefully to Napa. Oversees dream trips are Tuscany, Rhone Valley, and Portugal.
An interesting trip we did that we added some winery visits was Israel. The Galilee is fascinating for many reasons and some of the wines there are very nice.
If I had to pick a region, I would probably pick the Piedmont region of Italy but I would really love to see all of Italy.
Yeah, I would love to see the Piedmont region too. I’ve really enjoyed the wines from that area.
Chris, I bet Israel was really interesting for a number of reasons. I need to try some wines from Israel. I’ve heard about them from quite a few people. Thanks for the comment.
Great topic but a tough question to answer – But, if I could only choose one place… it’s gotta be Spain. France, Italy, NZ and Chile would have no problems swaying me there way either though.