Wine Travel Stories

In-depth Tales of Winery Visits Around the World

What Are the Major Wine Grapes of the Czech Republic?

Portions of this post were originally published in WineBusiness.com The Czech Republic has been making wine since the 13th century, yet most global consumers only know the country for Czech beer. So what are the major wine grapes that are grown and produced in the Czech Republic? Czech Village with Grapevines The answer is a little fuzzy because many of the ancient vineyards of the Czech Republic were torn out during the Soviet Era and replanted with wheat. It has only been about 30 years now that Czechs have been reclaiming their wine-making heritage. Now with more than [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T21:55:15-08:00August 18, 2019|

Four Wineries to Visit in the Czech Republic Wine Region of Moravia

If you’re planning a trip to Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, then consider adding a couple of extra days to your trip so you can visit Moravia- the major wine region of the Czech Republic. Only a short 2 hour drive south of Prague, this region delights with its landscape of rolling hills, tiny flower-bedecked villages, and delicious fresh wines paired with regional Czech cuisine. Wine Village in the Czech Republic Region of Moravia I was fortunate enough to be able to visit this region in September of 2018 with my mother, right at [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T21:55:36-08:00August 11, 2019|

Maury Magic – Wineries to Visit on Your Next Trip to Roussillon, France

If you are lucky enough to be headed to the Roussillon wine region in the South of France, and decide to visit the historic Maury wine region, consider some of these innovative wine brands. While visiting there in May of 2019, I was treated to a tasting of Maury wines with ten producers, each presenting three wines. The tasting, followed by a delicious lunch was held at Department 66 (D66) Winery in Maury. This domaine was started by Dave Phinney from Napa Valley who visited the Maury region and fell in love with the terroir. Therefore, he started the winery, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:21:35-08:00August 2, 2019|

Ten Fun Facts About Roussillon Wine

(Originally published in Winebusiness.com ) For most wine lovers the region of Roussillon brings to mind fortified sweet wines. Located in the far south of France, snuggled next to the Spanish border, Roussillon is often referred to as the “Other French Rivera,” and has a similar sunny Mediterranean climate as Provence. This allows the more than 420 wineries and 29 cooperatives that operate in the region to produce a wide variety of wines. However, over the last decade they have begun to focus more on dry wines with a fresh fruit-forward style, while still maintaining the heritage of the ancient fortified [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:21:56-08:00July 30, 2019|

Five Famous Wineries to Visit in Roussillon

In May of 2019, I was fortunate enough to tour the Roussillon wine region for five days and taste more than 100 different wine brands. Though Roussillon is most famous for its Grenache grapes (see below), it is also well-known for Muscat, Syrah, Carignan, and produces at least 20 other varietals. Altogether Roussillon has over 420 wineries and 29 cooperatives. Beautiful Hillside Vineyards by the Sea in Roussillon The Four Colors of Roussillon Grenache It is worth taking a minute to describe the four different colors/flavors of Grenache in Roussillon, because this is their signature grape. These descriptions [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:22:18-08:00July 25, 2019|

Seven Small Family Wineries to Visit in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon

The small family winery is alive and well in the fairytale Umpqua Valley. Often overlooked with the mad rush to the Willamette Valley just one hour north, or the warmer Rogue and Applegate Valleys of Southern Oregon, the Umpqua wine region is located in the center of Oregon where two rivers converge into one of the most picturesque mountain valleys in the West. The word “Umpqua” is based on the Native Americans who lived in the area, and is thought to mean “thundering waters." The Umpqua Valley of Oregon - View from Cooper's Ridge Winery The main town [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:23:01-08:00July 19, 2019|

Which Famous Global Wine Region Prohibits Swearing in the Vineyard?

(June 2019) Though vineyards can be very beautiful with their lush green foliage and jewel-like clusters of grapes, anyone who has worked amongst the vines knows that it can be back-breaking work with long hours of suckering, thinning, and sculpturing the vines. Obviously on certain occasions, this could result in some exhausted workers letting loose a few swear words. However, there is one famous wine region of the world where the vineyards were considered to be so sacred and a gift from God that anyone caught cussing could be fined. Sacred Vineyards of Tokaj, Hungary “The fine was [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:23:23-08:00July 16, 2019|

The “Terroir Whisperer” at Domaine de Villaine in Bouzeron, Burgundy

(May 27, 2019) It was only a 45 minute drive from my hotel in Vougeot to the small village of Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise where I had a 10am appointment at Domaine de Villaine. I was greeted by winemaker, Pierre de Villaine, a slim man with a goatee and calm grey eyes. Even since tasting his Aligote several years ago in Beaune, I have been wanting to meet him, because he has an intriguing reputation of being a “terroir whisperer,” with strong beliefs in the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, as well as the use of numerology to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:24:00-08:00June 1, 2019|

Wine on Safari in South Africa – What is Available?

(January 2019) Going on safari to witness the majesty of the big five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) is a dream held by many people, but for wine lovers there is also the question of “how is the wine on safari?” Fortunately in South Africa, the answer is “great,” because with more than 700 wineries in the country, South African safari lodges can afford to be generous with wine, and they are rightly proud to show off the delicious and well-balanced wines of their country. Elephant Sighting on Safari in South Africa I am lucky to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:24:23-08:00January 21, 2019|

Luiz Argenta – A Must Visit Winery for Design, Architecture and Wine Cuisine in Brazil

Have you ever seen a wine bottle that takes your breath away? That is what happened to me when I was visiting a wine shop in Bento Gonçalves, Brazil and saw two wine bottles snuggled together with curving necks in an elegant embrace. “Which winery produces these wines?” I asked. “You will visit there at the end of the week,” responded our host, Diego. “The name of the winery is Luiz Argenta, and they are known for their artistic wine bottles and unique architecture.” Diego was correct, because when we finally arrived at the entrance to Luiz Argenta [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-05T20:19:57-08:00October 15, 2018|

Wines of the Czech Republic: Searching for a Signature Product

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:31:50-08:00October 8, 2018|

Aurora Winery – A Disneyland of Sparkling Wine in Southern Brazil

(June 2018) It was raining lightly when we arrived at Aurora Winery in the town of Bento Gonçalves in southern Brazil. However, this did not matter because as soon as we entered the wide double doors we were transported into one of the top wine tourism experiences of the country. Beautiful women dressed in long red gowns from the glory days of 1800’s Brazil welcomed us with gentle smiles and gestured for us to enter the massive wine cellars. Golden Bacchus Statue at Aurora Winery in Brazil About Aurora Vinicola – Largest Winery Cooperative in Brazil Established in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:25:46-08:00October 1, 2018|

Casa Perini – Like Finding a Perfect Italian Wine Region in Brazil with 50 Shades of Muscato

(June 2018) Nestled deep in the rolling hills of Southern Brazil is a sleepy little valley filled with vineyards, Araucarias pine trees, wildflowers, and an old Italian styled winery called Casa Perini. Not only does the landscape look like Italy, but the home-made food spread out on the lunch table speaks loudly of the Italian heritage of father and son team, Benildo and Pablo Perini. Entrance to Casa Perini Winery “My great great grandparents arrived here from northern Italy in 1876,” explains Pablo. “At first they planted a small vineyard and produced wine at a local coop, but in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:26:10-08:00September 30, 2018|

Salton Winery – Started by Seven Brothers in Brazil with a Link to Scotland

(June 2018) Salton Winery is considered to be the oldest wineries in Brazil, and is also one of the largest. Established by seven brothers in 1910 in the city of Bento Gonçalves, Salton specializes in Brazilian sparkling wine production, but also produces still wines as well as tea. After my visit here at the end of June, where I met with Gregorio Salton, a member of the 4th generation of the family, I left truly impressed with all of the investments they have made in quality control, including ISO9000 and 14000 certifications for the winery. Entrance to Salton Winery [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:26:42-08:00August 25, 2018|

Lidio Carraro Winery – Boutique Producer of Pure Natural Wines from Brazil

(June 2018) If you enjoy visiting small boutique wineries where you are invited to taste wine in the family home, then Lidio Carraro Winery in the Serra Gaucha wine region of Brazil is for you. Even better is the fact that Lidio Carraro is the Brazilian leader in producing natural wines, based on their purist philosophy of winemaking with no additives, no filtration and not even any wood on red wines! The result is fresh and delicious wines with distinctive personality. A Visit to Lidio Carraro WInery in Southern Brazil Background of Lidio Carraro The Carraro family emigrated [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:27:07-08:00August 23, 2018|

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