• Home
  • Interviews
  • News & Views
  • Wine in India
  • Wine Society
  • Food and Wine
  • Winery Visits
  • Guest Column
  • Contact
    • Home
    • Interviews
    • News & Views
    • Wine in India
    • Spirits
    • Food & Wine
    • Winery Visits
    • Guest Column
    • Contact

    Wine regions to visit in 2024

    February 29, 2024
    Optimized Etna DOC vineyards

    Make 2024 the year of wine tourism… with a difference.

    Away from the most popular wine regions that are on everyone’s list are some not-so-hidden gems, which are which top the list of every sommelier in the world but somehow evade the spotlight despite their fabulous wines. They also make for great destinations for wine travelers who are seeking something not-so-famous, but very unique.

    Here are some recommendations based on my own wine travels:

    Portugal

    Famous for: Port, the Douro Valley
    But don’t miss: Alentejo

    Visit Portugal for the history, the friendly folk, or the amazing food, but do not leave without travelling to some of its stunning wine regions.

    Portugal has always been known for its diversity of wine production, its dozens of native grapes, and of course, the majestic Douro Valley, which is a treat for every traveller and among the world’s most beautiful wine regions.

    But Portugal is also home to many other diverse, unique wine regions – Alentejo among them, is especially on the ascendancy. Historically famous for its cork production, Alentejo is seeing a revival of interest for its rich, robust red wines and fresh,fruit-driven whites.

    Vineyards of Alicante Bouschet in Alentejo

    The climate is warm and dry, allowing for healthy grapes to be produced. Its capital city, Evora is a mere 1.5 hour drive from Lisbon, making it very easy to get to. It is known for its white native grapes Roupeiro, Antão Vaz, and Arinto. But it is especially noted for its reds, made from Trincadeira, Aragonez, Castelão, and the French variety Alicante Bouschet.

    Wineries to visit: Adega do Mouchão, Adega Cartuxa,  Heredad do Esporao, Herdad dos Grous

    More details: https://www.visitalentejo.pt/en/

    England

    Famous for: London and its buzz
    But don’t miss: English wine regions, especially Sussex and Kent

    Tear yourself away from the shops and restaurants in London and head to the countryside. Here, a mere two hours or less from the capital, are vineyards famous for making excellent sparkling wine on soils similar to Champagne, and with identical grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir). The wine tourism industry is fast developing, with wine hotels, gastropubs, and fine dining restaurants coming up next to wineries. All this can be done in a day trip or a relaxed overnight stay. Very worth it for a break from the hustle and bustle of London.

    Wineries to visit: Balfour, Gusbourne, Chapel Down, Ridgeview

    More details: https://www.winegardenofengland.co.uk/, https://www.sussexwinetours.co.uk/

    Sicily

    Famous for: Mount Etna the volcano
    But don’t miss: wineries around Mount Etna

    Sicily and its wines have been in the news for all the right reasons over the last few years. Beloved of sommeliers and critics, the spotlight has shone anew on the wines of Mount Etna, located on the volcanic slopes of Sicily’s iconic volcano. These wines embody a distinct sense of terroir and centuries-old winemaking tradition. They combine mineral-rich volcanic soil, with high altitudes and cool climates. This combination produces grapes of complexity particularly the indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, among the reds and Carricante, Insolia, and Cataratto. Etna’s wines often exhibit elegant acidity, vibrant fruit flavours, and a pronounced sense of place, making them highly sought after.

    Wineries to visit: Benanti, Tenuta delle Terre Nerre, Vini Franchetti.

    More details: https://www.visitsicily.info/en/sapore/wine-in-sicily

    Hungary

    Famous for: Thermal baths and spas, historic architecture
    But don’t miss: its historic wine regions including the famous Tokaj region.

    Hungary’s most famous wine product for centuries was its lusciously sweet Tokaji wine, known as the wine of kings, the king of wines. But its native grape Furmint is also used to make crisp dry wine that is all the rage in wine bars these days. Besides the must-visit Tokaj,(the winemaking process for the historic sweet wine is extraordinary) there are other noteworthy regions Lake Balaton (known for its  Olaszrizling aka Welschriesling), the historic Eger known for Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) wines dominated by Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch). Combine history with wine and it will be a memorable trip.

    Wineries to visit: Tóth Ferenc Pincészet, Gál Tibor winery,(Eger) Patricius winery (Tokaj), Barta (Lake Balaton)

    More details: https://hungarianwines.eu/

    Images by Ruma and AI

    Share
    Bulls bloodCarricanteEnglandEnglish sparkling wineEtnaHungaryKentNerello MascaleseportugalSicilySussextokajVineyards
    Share

    Interviews  / Winery Visits

    You might also like

    Women in Wine Portugal: “The wine business is alll about relationships”
    October 31, 2024
    English wine is on song
    March 21, 2022
    The rise and rise of the volcanic wines of Etna
    June 17, 2021
    • About Ruma

      Ruma Singh

      After over a decade as a journalist with one of India’s top newspaper groups in New Delhi and then Bangalore.. Read More

    • Ruma's articles from other media

      Reading News Paper

      A selection of articles by Ruma which have appeared in other publications.. Read More

    • Free Subscription



    • Follow Ruma Singh on Instagram


      Follow Ruma on Instagram

    • Facebook
    • Follow RumaSi on Twitter

      Ruma Singh Follow

      #Wine writer and columnist, #DipWSET. In love with good #food, great wine, memorable #travel. https://t.co/RnBcANXNYo

      RumaSi
      Retweet on Twitter Ruma Singh Retweeted
      janeansonwine jane anson @janeansonwine ·
      6 Feb

      Even back in 1970 Petrus had dispensed of the word Château on the label.

      Reply on Twitter 1887484305980428326 Retweet on Twitter 1887484305980428326 15 Like on Twitter 1887484305980428326 98 Twitter 1887484305980428326
      rumasi Ruma Singh @rumasi ·
      5 Feb

      A taste of the best of Burgundy in quirky luxury @sommelierindia @LeCepBeaune

      3

      Reply on Twitter 1887187977799147931 Retweet on Twitter 1887187977799147931 Like on Twitter 1887187977799147931 Twitter 1887187977799147931
      rumasi Ruma Singh @rumasi ·
      30 Jan

      It was a great first competition, very well organised by the Sommelier Association of India @asisomms

      CircleofWineWriters @CircleofWine

      Absolutely delighted to share this lovely photo of @CircleofWine members Reva Singh and @RumaSi onstage at the finals of the Best Sommelier of India competition held in Mumbai. It was conducted by the Sommeliers Association of India. Photo credit: @SubhashArora8

      Reply on Twitter 1884927742413623626 Retweet on Twitter 1884927742413623626 Like on Twitter 1884927742413623626 Twitter 1884927742413623626
      rumasi Ruma Singh @rumasi ·
      3 Jan

      What’s going on @IndiGo6E ? Flight 6584 MOPA to Blr there was no zone wise boarding (asked staff he said it was because of ‘bus boarding’ pls explain? Surely zone boarding for that too?) also no queues at gate - free for all. Getting more chaotic and indisciplined every day.

      Reply on Twitter 1875059960247357537 Retweet on Twitter 1875059960247357537 Like on Twitter 1875059960247357537 Twitter 1875059960247357537
      Load More
    • Italian Wine Podcast

      Harshal Shah and Ruma Singh DipWSET

    • Wine Expo 2023
    • Activate Blog



    • Free Subscription



    • Latest Posts

      • Beyond the Barrel: Journey Through Burgundy’s Hidden Gems
      • Emotional journeys & sensory mastery: BTS at the Best Sommelier of India 2025
      • Best Sommelier of India: Meet the Final Five
      • ‘Portuguese native grapes give the country the tools needed against climate change’
      • Women in Wine Portugal: “The wine business is alll about relationships”
      • A Master Sommelier’s story: Beaucastel & beyond
      • Riesling Love: The passion of Dr Lippold
      • Rosé: no longer just a happy summer sip
    • Popular Posts

      Popular Posts

      • A Good Year at Château La...
      • Read, say, love WINE: win...
      • Rosé: A lighter shade of...
      • Fratelli’s SETTE: The mag...

    Copyright © rumasingh.com | Media | Sitemap | Login