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Wine Regions

Europe - As was mentioned in the section on the History of Wine, the evolution of wine started in Europe with the spread of the Greek influence. Such expansion first occured in regions that we now know as France, Germany, Belgium and Austria - the Primary Regions of Europe. The spread of grape growing and wine production has been extensive throughout Europe since the Renaissance Period. It is possible now to find wines and often amazingly pleasing wines from Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and United Kingdom However, irrespective of the massive expansion of the wine industry in Europe, certain regions will always be considered top of the list - France's Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Cõtes du Rhone and Provence regions and French and German shared Rhine Valley.

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Mediterranea - This primary region for wine production also overlaps with the primary region of Europe in that certain areas such as Cõtes du Rhone and Provence in the south of France are also adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. However, this primary region goes way beyond them and includes such bastians of wine antiquety as Italy and Greece. There is little disputing the fact that we owe the entire growth and expansion of the worldwide wine industry to the ancestors of these two countries and their conquests. However, this primary region also includes several other well known areas in countries such as Corsica, Sicily and Turkey


The Rhine Valley in Europe




Napa Valley origins (©Georges Souche)

 
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North America - Many aspects of American culture find their roots in France and the United States enduring ties to that country. This is definitely the case with the wine industry. It was indeed the French in search of new horizons with which to expand their wine industry around the world, that opened up this primary region and such great wine producing areas as the Napa Valley and Sonoma in California. While many other areas have evolved over the last 150 years, particularly in the states of Washington, Oregon and New York in the US and British Columbia, Canada, the primary region for North America remains and almost certainly will continue to be in California where the climate and soil are far more compatible with the needs of the industry. However, we should not ignore the fact that their are now wineries and vineyards to be found in almost every state and territory of the United States. Our U.S. State Wineries Directory showcases this fact.

South America - Some would argue whether South America deserves a place in a list of primary regions for wine production. It is all in how you choose to look at it. We believe that any region that is turning out award winning wines has indded a rightful claim. There is no doubt that this primary region's wine producing countries - Chile, Argentina and Uruguay - are making their presence felt in the wine halls and on the wine tables of the most discerning of palates. Chile is the leading wine producing country of this primary region but the other are knocking seriously at their door. Many varietals will be found planted and flourishing in this primary region including Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Chardonnay and even Carmenère, a rarely planted and rarely identified grape variety from Bordeaux that is often confused with Merlot.

Australia - It is not possible to enter into a discussion of wine evolution in this primary region without finding one in the middle of a debate as to whether the Barossa Valley or the Hunter Valley should wear the crown as being the foundation. No matter what leaning you may have, there is no disputing that these two primary regions have guided the country's wine production industry and also arguably in recent times the world's. Wines from the Hunter and Barossa Valleys have graced the tables of the most distinguished people, the halls of the most famous auction houses and the podiums of the greatest wine competitions. But the story does not end there. Today you will find wines from an ever-growing list of new regions including Margaret River in Western Australia, Clare Valley and Coonawarra in South Australia, Gippsland and Yarra Valley in Victoria, Cowra and Mudgee in New South Wales, Mt. Tamborine and Stanthorpe in Queensland, just to name a few.

New Zealand - This tiny country always amazes with its ability to encompass almost all of the best that the world has to offer. From the very beginning with the diaryies of Captain James Cook, we have learned to expect this country to provide a sampling of the best, fjords, glaciers, mountains, plains and now also wine. This entry in the list of primary regions was a late starter when compared to many of the others but it most definitely warrants its place. Perhaps best known for its variety and quality of whites, especially Sauvignon-Blanc, you will find a very diverse range of exceptional quality wines in this primary region's dossier. New Zealand, although small in size and broken into 2 separate islands, is home to many fine wine producing areas. This primary regions better known area is Hawkes Bay.


Australia's Barossa Valley


Vineyard in the Lake Wanaka region of New Zealand

Vineyard in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa
 South Africa - Like, South America, some would also argue whether South Africa deserves a place in a list of primary regions for wine production. Once again, it is all in how you choose to look at it. Realistically, it should come as no surprise to most of us that South Africa would be producing wine and good wines at that. After all, the country was settled (and some would say exploited) by Europeans, especially the British and the Dutch - both of whom have been entrenched in the wine industry for centuries. Today we find outstanding wines being produced and distributed worldwide by this primary region's vineyards which are mainly in the south-west corner surrounding Cape Town. It is worth noting that some of the world's largest producing have now expanded their operations into this primary region.