After a couple of years of heavy travel restrictions, you may be looking forward to a trip abroad this summer. As well as the thrill of visiting somewhere new and getting away from the daily grind, you can look forward to discovering the local flavours.
No matter where you go there's probably going to be the popular styles like Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec or Shiraz available, but what if you want to enjoy the native wines?
We've put together a little guide to what to look out for in several popular European destinations. So grab a glass and prepare to board.
Beach Holiday - Mallorca
Mallorca is a popular destination amongst my friends this year, who've been tempted to this island off the south east coast of Spain by the promise of gorgeous sandy beaches, catamaran trips around the coast and visits to Palma Cathedral and Hams' Caves.
Mallorca has a climate that is ideal for grape growing and has a long history of wine production. Most of the wine produced is enjoyed on the island, with very little exported. The grapes used include native varieties including Callet which creates light and fruity wine low in alcohol and is often used in rosé wines. Another is Manto Negro which can show flavours of cherry and caramel in light, spicy reds.
What to drink before you go?
Macia Batle, Tinto '1856' 2018
Macia Batle were founded in 1856, so have had many years to hone their skills to produce archetypal Mallorcan wines such as this blend using Manto Negra, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.
It's a smooth and supple red with inviting aromas of dark fruit mingling with mocha and toasty oak from 12 months in barrel and a further 2 years in bottle. The palate is complex and savoury with layers of tobacco, coffee and bitter chocolate, combined with dried fruit and mellow tannins.
Beach Holiday - Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is on the west coast of Italy towards the south, just over an hour's drive from Naples. It is a very popular destination for honeymooning couples and has a picturesque landscape of traditional pastel coloured buildings set against lush green hills, steeply rising above the clear blue waters of the Tyrrhenian sea.
The Amalfi coast is set within the wider wine producing area Campania, best known for its full bodied red wines made from the Aglianico grape and fresh, fruity whites made from Falanghina and Greco. These are the wines you want to be sipping as you gaze out at the sunset while enjoying the famously good pizza.
What to drink before you go?
La Guardiense, Calvese Falanghina Sannio 2020
Made by a co-operative of farmers in the Sannio region of Campania, to the north of Naples. Falanghina is characteristically fruity with citrus blossom, cut kumquats and crystallised orange peel on the palate. This wine is fresh and fruity along with a pleasant, mineral finish.
Beach Holiday - Provence Alps Cote D'Azur
One of Europe's most popular destinations for glamour and sunshine, the French Riviera is known for the deep blues of the Mediterranean sea and this famous stretch of coastline takes in the cities of Cannes, Nice and St Tropez.
The local wine in Provence is rosé - which makes up 89% of production. Made from a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah, the wine is effortlessly cool with a serious structure, giving it the elegance of a good white wine with flavours of white peach, strawberry and lemon zest. It's pale salmon pink colour has helped it become such a fashionable choice that celebrities have bought up vineyards in the region and created their own brands.
This style of rosé is ideal with the various seafood of the region. However if you're enjoying a bowl of Mediterranean bouillabaisse fish stew, you might be better off with glass of the region's other notable rosé from Bandol which is a little more full-bodied and savoury.
What to drink before you go?
A beautiful pale rose made on the Mediterranean coast, which is also famous for the beautiful Rollier bird. With its aromas of white peach, citrus and a hint of red summer fruits, this is an elegant wine best served chilled and enjoyed with friends!
City Break - Lisbon
Lisbon is a city rich with culture and has an excellently varied food scene, so of course it has a wine offering to match. After a day exploring the Alfama - the oldest part of the city with beautiful narrow streets - and visiting the many galleries, you can drop into one of the numerous independent wine bars and enjoy some of the country's finest food and drink. The rolling hills that stretch along the Atlantic coast north of Lisbon are home to some of the most productive areas of wine-making in Portugal. There are 9 sub regions to the Lisbon wine area. Look out for wines from the Bucelas region, very close to Lisbon, which has a distinctive style of its white wines, where the Arinto grape variety dominates, offering freshness and longevity.
Other grape varieties used are: Fernão Pires, Malvasia for whites and Aragonez, Castelão, Tinta Miúda, Touriga Franca for reds. These are often blended for simple yet deliciously flavoured wines made by local cooperatives. Traditionally, these wines are sold in 1.5 or 3-litre flagons known by the locals as ‘Garrafoes’.
What to drink before you go:
Most of Casa Santos Lima’s estates are located in Alenquer, 45km north of Lisbon, in a region where wine production is centuries old and the typical rural landscapes are gifted with enormous beauty.
Quinta Vista is a blend of local varieties and Syrah. It is full of jammy red fruits and sweet spices, velvety and well structured with a soft elegant finish. A really approachable, easy drinking red that's fantastic with pork dishes.
City Break - Barcelona
A much-loved city break destination offering sightseeing delights like the unique architectural design of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, alongside a chance to visit the beach. All before enjoying the city's food, drink and nightlife.
Barcelona is within the wine region Catalunya, which contains 12 wine regions. To the west of the city is Penedes, where the sparkling wine Cava is produced. Further west inland are the notable D.O. (Denomination Origien) of Priorat, where you'll find powerful Grenache and Carignan-dominated red blends. These have gained serious acclaim and are worth trying if you like big wines like Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
There are often great value gems to be found from the other, less well known regions too - like Montsant where you'll also find powerful reds made from Grenache and Carignan, and Terra Alta where juicy white wines made from Garnacha Blanca are worth a try.
What to drink before you go?
A blend of Garnacha Blanca and Macabeu from Catalunya. Full of ripe peaches, pears and tropical mango. This is a richer, creamier style of white wine which is a great alternative for anyone who usually enjoys White Rioja or Chardonnay.
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