Wine regions Bordeax Bourgogne Rioja Barolo Mendoza California Vienna Loire La Mancha Stellenbosch Rheingau Barossa Wine regions can be found on many continents. However, we mainly import our wines from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Chile, South Africa, California, and Australia. Wine connoisseurs often speak of classical wine countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy. This is mainly because the other wine countries started making and trading wine much more recently. Wine regions can be found on many continents. However, we mainly import our wines from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Chile, South Africa, California, and Australia. Wine connoisseurs often speak of classical wine countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy. This is mainly because the other wine countries started making and trading wine much more recently.

france Red, white, or rosé; cheap or very expensive; France has it all! From the cool north with its calcareous soil in the Champagne region to the mild oceanic climate in Bordeaux and the sunny Provence. There is no other place in the world where natural conditions like soil, climate and diversity of grape varieties are as perfect for viticulture as in France. The French started perfecting viticulture long before the Gregorian calendar. They know exactly which grapes should be planted in which soil and climate. France equals wine: it is deeply rooted in the culture. We will take a further look at the differences between regions in our advanced E-learning program. Red, white, or rosé; cheap or very expensive; France has it all! From the cool north with its calcareous soil in the Champagne region to the mild oceanic climate in Bordeaux and the sunny Provence. There is no other place in the world where natural conditions like soil, climate and diversity of grape varieties are as perfect for viticulture as in France. The French started perfecting viticulture long before the Gregorian calendar. They know exactly which grapes should be planted in which soil and climate. France equals wine: it is deeply rooted in the culture. We will take a further look at the differences between regions in our advanced E-learning programme.

spain In terms of surface area Spain is the biggest of the ‘big three’, but it produces less liters of wine than France and Italy because of severe drought. Spain improved the quality of its wines enormously during the last few decades. The classic, small wine farmers made way for modern, professional wine companies. The country is ahead in terms of technology and innovation.. Wines are made from internationally known grape varieties as well as from typical Spanish ones In terms of surface area Spain is the biggest of the ‘big three’, but it produces less litres of wine than France and Italy because of severe drought. Spain improved the quality of its wines enormously during the last few decades. The classic, small wine farmers made way for modern, professional wine companies. The country is ahead in terms of technology and innovation. Wines are made from internationally known grape varieties as well as from typical Spanish ones.

italy Italy has a rich wine tradition, just like France and Spain. Almost all international grape varieties are cultivated between the northern Alps and the southernmost regions. The ancient Greeks called Italy Oenotria (literally ‘wine country’). It produces brilliant wines from indigenous grape varieties, examples of these are Nebbiolo from the Barolo region and Sangiovese from Tuscany. The very best Italian wines are classified Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. Those are really beautiful! Italy has a rich wine tradition, just like France and Spain. Almost all international grape varieties are cultivated between the northern Alps and the southernmost regions. The ancient Greeks called Italy Oenotria (literally ‘wine country’). It produces brilliant wines from indigenous grape varieties, examples of these are Nebbiolo from the Barolo region and Sangiovese from Tuscany. The very best Italian wines are classified Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. Those are really beautiful!

germany Germany does not use internationally acclaimed grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot. Remarkably, they only use their ‘own’ varieties, such as Riesling and Grauburgunder. These grapes are more resistant to frost and they get more sunlight because of the steep vineyards. You will not find any picking machines; nearly everything is done manually. The very best wines, for example marvellous Rieslings, can be found in the Rheingau region. Red wines are made mostly in Baden (near the French Alsace). In short, Germany caters for all tastes. Germany does not use internationally acclaimed grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot. Remarkably, they only use their ‘own’ varieties, such as Riesling and Grauburgunder. These grapes are more resistant to frost and they get more sunlight because of the steep vineyards. You will not find any picking machines; nearly everything is done manually. The very best wines, for example marvellous Rieslings, can be found in the Rheingau region. Red wines are made mostly in Baden (near the French Alsace). In short, Germany caters for all tastes.

Chile The longest wine country in the world, Chile, is stuck between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. This creates perfect conditions for viticulture; it is sunny during the day, it cools down quite a bit at night, and the Andes provides plenty of meltwater. In Europe, individual château owners like Rothschild (premier cru de Bordeaux) and large companies like the Spanish Torres have been convinced of the quality and abundance of the Chilean climate and soil. Unlike Europe however, Chile has no laws that decide which grapes can or cannot be planted. It is even suggested that a Cabernet Sauvignon from Central Valley offers protection against cancer. The longest wine country in the world, Chile, is stuck between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. This creates perfect conditions for viticulture; it is sunny during the day, it cools down quite a bit at night, and the Andes provides plenty of meltwater. In Europe, individual château owners like Rothschild (premier cru de Bordeaux) and large companies like the Spanish Torres have been convinced of the quality and abundance of the Chilean climate and soil. Unlike Europe however, Chile has no laws that decide which grapes can or cannot be planted. It is even suggested that a Cabernet Sauvignon from Central Valley offers protection against cancer.

South Africa The Chilean situation also somewhat applies to South Africa. It may be on a different continent, but South African wines can measure up to Europe’s finer wines. While European farmers have to comply to strict rules, South African winemakers can do whatever they want. If you want to make sure you are getting a good wine, choose one with a special seal on its neck, because these are certified by several authorities. Stellenbosch is by far the most famous wine region in South Africa. The Chilean situation also somewhat applies to South Africa. It may be on a different continent, but South African wines can measure up to Europe’s finer wines. While European farmers have to comply to strict rules, South African winemakers can do whatever they want. If you want to make sure you are getting a good wine, choose one with a special seal on its neck, because these are certified by several authorities. Stellenbosch is by far the most famous wine region in South Africa.

Australia Viticulture is only possible along the southern and eastern coasts of Australia because of the extreme heat. Winemakers fight drought with irrigation. Barossa Valley is the heart of Australian viticulture. Governor Arthur Phillip planted the first grapevines near Sydney in 1788. Almost 40 percent of Australian wines are white. Grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Sémillon are well-known grapes in Australian viticulture. Just over 60 percent of Australian wines are red; these mostly include Shiraz, but also Cabernet and Merlot. Viticulture is only possible along the southern and eastern coasts of Australia because of the extreme heat. Winemakers fight drought with irrigation. Barossa Valley is the heart of Australian viticulture. Governor Arthur Phillip planted the first grapevines near Sydney in 1788. Almost 40 percent of Australian wines are white. Grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Sémillon are well-known grapes in Australian viticulture. Just over 60 percent of Australian wines are red; these mostly include Shiraz, but also Cabernet and Merlot.

california Some excellent wines are produced in California; its circa 2,700 wine cellars produce 90 percent of all wine from the United States. Napa Valley has its own Wine Train which takes you along a 50 kilometer track, from which you can visit the famous vineyards and farms. An outstanding wine is the Napa Valley Chardonnay, but the wines from the Beringer Vineyards are also excellent. For wine enthusiasts September would be the best month for a visit; multiple wine festivals and events are organized during that month. Some excellent wines are produced in California; its circa 2,700 wine cellars produce 90 percent of all wine from the United States. Napa Valley has its own Wine Train which takes you along a 50 kilometre track, from which you can visit the famous vineyards and farms. An outstanding wine is the Napa Valley Chardonnay, but the wines from the Beringer Vineyards are also excellent. For wine enthusiasts September would be the best month for a visit; multiple wine festivals and events are organised during that month.

The end If you want to taste wines of the different countries follow one of our practical courses