There are even vacation packages that center entirely around wine tasting! Just imagine spending the day in a luxouroius suite, enjoying the local scenery and tasting the wine. Could be as simple as tasting a few wines to having a full dinner with matched wines for each course.

The first destination most people think of is France. Of course they do have some of the finest wines in the world. The conditions are excellent for vineyards.

Another very popular destination is Spain. Spain is gaining popularity at a very fast rate.

And then there is Italy. And of course you will be enjoying some Italian food while you are there. You do not have to be Italian to enjoy their food or wine.

Africa is another. You may be surprised but actually Africa has produced some very fine wine. And you can go on a safari tour while you are there.

Australia is one of my favorites. They have a very wide variety of wines. For a small country Australia also has a variety of climates and terrain.

And let us not forget about the United States. Wineries are popping up everywhere as the popularity of wine continues. It has become quite a hobby to grow your own grapes and make your own wine! Sometimes theses small operations grow into very large wineries!

I think  that wines and wineries are like people. No two are alike. And everyone’s taste is different. So whether you plan your whole vacation around wine or just look ahead to see which wineries are at the area you will be visiting, there is always an adventure waiting!

Favorite Wine Tasting Destinations is a post from: Grow Grapes and Make Wine

Many of your senses are involved and excited in the tasting of wine. There are many different kinds that have different effects. As you become more familiar with the wines you will be able to distinguish the different types by their color, fragrance, and taste. Let’s take a look at how wines affect your senses and what you should be looking for when tasting.

Check for the Wine Clarity and Color

The first thing to look at when your wine is poured is the color and clarity. Tilt the glass away from yourself and look at the color. It is better if you have a white bacground. This could be something as simple as a paper napkin. Wines come in many different colors. Red wines can be ruby, maroon, brown, purple or red. White wines are thought to be colorless, although there are different colors. They may range from amber to light green or even a golden yellow.

Smell the Wine

This is one of the most important steps in wine tasting. Before the smelling you will want to swirl the wine in the glass. This will allow the aroma of the wine to escape. Put your nose slightly in the glass. You will want to take a deep breath and take it all in. Some people close their eyes as they enjoy the fragrance and get their taste buds ready for the experience. There are as many combinations of smells as there are types of wine. They are affected by many different things such as ingredients, weather during the growing of the grapes, amount of fermentation and aging, and the type of storage container. Through the aroma you can you can identify the wine’s uniqueness and quality.

Taste and Savor the Wine

This is the most enjoyable and most anticipated part. Take a good portion of wine in your mouth and let it lie on your tongue. Move it around a little as you want to hit all areas of your tongue. There are several things that you will be looking for. The levels of tannin, amount of alcohol, sugar levels, and the acidity. After the wine is swallowed you will enjoy the after taste. Make note of how long it stays with you.

Wine tasting is to be enjoyed whether you are at a tasting event, or just opening a fresh bottle with friends. Take your time and enjoy!

Taste the Wine and Appreciate It is a post from: Grow Grapes and Make Wine