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Culinary Journeys
Travel
Up-and-coming Wine Regions to Watch
Published 4:20 AM EDT, Tue August 25, 2015
Michigan wine country is largely undeveloped, comprising just 100 or so small- to medium-sized wineries and just more than 3,000 acres of wine-producing vineyards. Yet the new wines coming out of the region are terrific.Moravia (Czech Republic) — Though the Czech Republic is better known for beer, its easternmost province of Moravia, just north of the Austrian border, is producing some of the world’s best white wines.Like Champagne, Italy’s Franciacorta is both a geographical region and a wine. The wine is made using methode champenoise — a special way of getting it to sparkle — and with the same grape varietals as chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot blanc.Thanks to the Bekaa Valley’s fertile climate and location on an inland plateau, you’ll find everything from plush red blends to light, floral muscats and viogniers.Though Italy’s beautiful southernmost island has been making wine for more than five millennia, only in the past two decades has the region shifted away from the mass production of lackluster wine.Though winemaking in Moldova dates back more than 5,000 years — the massive Cricova wine cellar complex is just one example of the mature industry here — Moldovan wine has flown almost completely under the radar.
In conclusion, the exploration of emerging wine regions offers a tantalizing glimpse of the future of viticulture. Regions such as Michigan, Moravia, and Franciacorta are redefining quality and inviting oenophiles to explore new taste profiles. Therefore, staying informed about these up-and-coming wine regions can greatly enhance your appreciation for wine and expand your palate.
