Travel tips for sundry wine regions around the world:
Argentina: The Cafayate region has gorgeous scenery, good wines (beyond malbec) and a “true South American indigenous vibe.”
Burgundy: Walking through Beaune, driving through the world’s most coveted pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards and soaking in a surprising amount of history. Plus some logistics.
Loire Valley: Mindy Matthews on a mecca for those of us who love castles, goat cheese at every meal, majestic gardens, tapestries and firm, focused wines.
New Zealand: Brian Tockman on a land of unsurpassed beauty, friendly folks, seriously fresh seafood and a swath of worthy sub-regions. Oh, and some pretty tasty juice, too.
Oregon: Here’s my account from my day job.
Paso Robles: Reid Plumbo explores one of California’s most underappreciated destinations, featuring hearty wines of all colors, down-home hospitality and tons of diversions. Plus an update from moi.
Washington: Walla Walla winemaker Chad Johnson (Dusted Valley) shares some swell tips from his neck of the wine world.
Just found your blog and am interested in your reviews and tastings that you are doing. My passion is french wine, I love the N. Rhone and Burgundy but am interested in exploring different wines from new producers like Arnot-Roberts and Donkey and Goat but I tend to prefer classic style wines.
Chris: Those two wineries and Broc Cellars and few others in Calif. are very classic-style-oriented. They are more Old World than some Southern Rhone wines in particular. You cited probably my two favorite wine regions. But I love exploring wiers from all over and especially what California vintners are doing with unusual grapes, or whether New Zealand and Germany are on the road to making really good pinot (non-Burgundian, as there’s only one Burgundy). I’ll continue exploring and hope you not only stay for the ride but pass along some of your old favorites and new discoveries.
Sounds good, I agree there is alot to be excited about with the New World (NZ Pinot), but I still love exploring the classic regions of France first. Let me know if there are any tastings of these wines in the future. I live nearby.