Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay – of course, these are your standard go-to wines. But what happens when you open a wine list at the little taverna on your dreamy, well-earned Mediterranean escape, and how awkward! You can’t make heads nor tails of it!
Look sharp when you dine out in Europe and try something new rather than the safe option. All of the suggested wines are easy drinking, widely available and won’t bruise your wallet.
Wine in Europe: A Traveller’s Guide
1. Spain
A country of stereotypes like flamenco and paella, Spain has much more to offer, including some excellent wines. For a local white ask for a Rueda or Verdejo. It’s very common for locals to order a wine by the region name, in this case, Rueda, but you can also ask for the grape type and still sound like you got the know-how.
Tempranillo is the dominant red grape in Spain, particularly well known for the wines of La Rioja, but Tempranillo wines are also worth trying from the regions of Ribera del Duero and La Mancha – the home of Don Quixote!
2. France
Some say Provence in Southern France is one of the most underrated wine regions in the country, surrounded by fields of lavender, endless sunshine and gentle sea breezes.
Here you have a wide choice of white and red wines, but rosé is popular particularly around the Côtes de Provence. Ask for a Sainte-Victoire, a region frequented by famous artists such as Van Gough and Matisse, or a Fréjus where the Tibouron grape is dominant.
If you’re enjoying a city break in Nice, keep an eye out for the local wines from Bellet where the rosé has distinct rose petal flavours and the whites are made predominantly from the Rolle grape (Vermentino).
3. Italy
If you have heard of Chianti and Pinot Grigio, you’re off to a great start. While there are many expensive Italian wines, but you don’t need to break the bank to look chic dining al fresco and enjoying a local drop.
Well worth trying are wines of the Nebbiolo grape from Barolo area of the Le Langhe region in Piedmont. Young Nebbiolo wines are fresh and light, yet not without character. However be warned, if you ask for a Barolo, you’ll likely be presented with a 5yr old bottle upwards of €70! Better to stick with the grape type here.
Northeast Italy is highly regarded for its whites, where you will find an abundance of the well-known local Pinot Grigio. For something new try a Souave from the Veneto region or a Vermentino, prominently grown in Sardinia, but widely available on the mainland and an excellent choice on a balmy summer afternoon.
4. Croatia
Croatia is a wonderful destination and if you haven’t been yet, you should be scanning your calendar for an opportunity. Although wine is not what comes to mind when one thinks about Croatia, there’s no better partner for a fresh seafood feast or a sail on Mediterranean waters than a cold glass of wine.
Although Zinfandel is perhaps more commonly associated today with Californian vineyards, it in fact originates from ancient Croatia. This type of wine is still cultivated today and known as Crljenak Kaštelanski. Locals claim their best reds come from Zinfandel’s cousin, the Plavac Mali grape. For a sip of white from the well-known Korcula island, look for the Posip variety.
So…are you thirsty yet? Comment below and shre your best tips for wine tasting across Europe.
