Best Wine Regions to Visit this Fall

Your eyes scan the shelves. French, Italian, Spanish, Californian or perhaps Australian? The names of countries that are synonymous with wines have had countless articles composed upon them, have been touted by connoisseurs around the world, and have been paired with dishes until every mouth is salivating. The world is a vast place and the bounty of grapes has been kind to lands that are more off the beaten track. The fall air is crisp and with the majority of harvesting taking place this season, there is no better time to look further afield. The less trodden path is always packed with surprises.

THE NETHERLANDS

Think of the Netherlands and your mind will most likely lead you to the capital, Amsterdam. With it the associations of celebrations, windmills, stunning canals and a notorious night life, you may imagine it to be place where liquor is drunk fast instead of savoured. Yet hop on a train into the countryside and you will discover some unique and delightful wines, ranging from Pinot Noir, Riesling & Müller-Thürgau. A short distance from Amsterdam, you’ll find Amsteltuin vineyard in the residential village of Amstelveen where nature boutifully fills the hills with 1.5 hectares of grapes. Alternatively head a little further and delight in roman vineyards nearby the city of Maastricht. Although little is known on the wine scene, the Netherlands viticulture dates back to 968AC.

MEXICO

How about a visit to the oldest wine growing region in the Americas? With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, wine and its culture began to flourish in Mexico. While Mexico has a long history of wine making, a period of prohibition caused word of Mexico’s extraordinary wines to be diminished. With grape harvesting season in full swing, visit vineyards in Baja California. Surround yourself in a unique ecosystem of sea breeze, rather than desert climates or fulfil roadtrip dreams with the ‘Ruta del Vino’ connecting over fifty wineries across the country.   

JAPAN

Known for their Sake, Japan has a stunning beverage up their sleeves, all thanks to the koshu grape. Used in wine making for over 1,000 years the grape offers up a rich and silky texture. Visiting one of these vineyards in the surrounding vineyards of Mt Fuji, you will experience the deliverance of volcanic soil and the Japanese’ attention to detail; every bunch adorned with a rain cap to protect from typhoons. From the bars that are alive with the luminance of Tokyo’s nightly neon beams, through to your first breath of mountain air, Japan’s wines deliver atmosphere both where they are drunk and grown.

These markets are exclusively serviced by JRS Makelaars, Diamante Realtors, and Housing Japan.