Did you know that humans have been making wine as long ago as 6,000 BC? Back then, the wine varieties available in the world were limited as were the ways of distributing wine. Today, however, we have the technology to create and enjoy wine just about anywhere in the world.
Wine tasting weekend getaways and tours are the perfect opportunities to see the origins of all your favorite wines up close. You’ll be able to see where the grapes grow, learn a little about how wine manufacturers are able to turn grapes into wine, and, of course, you’ll have the chance to taste a large variety of different wines. This may sound like paradise to any wine lover, but there is one problem: how can you plan the perfect wine tasting weekend?
Keep reading and learn more about the factors you should consider before you book your weekend.
Choose the Right Time of Year for Your Wine Tasting Weekend
When planning a weekend trip and various winery tours, many people tend to forget one of the most important aspects: the time of year. The time of year is important because it can determine what kind of grapes are growing at the vineyard at the type. It will also determine how ripe the grapes are.
This, of course, might create some changes that you might not have accounted for on your wine tasting weekend. For example, maybe the winery doesn’t have particular grape or wine variations at a certain time of year. Winter, unsurprisingly, is a relatively dead season for wineries.
Grapes aren’t able to grow in winter so the production of wine more or less slows to a halt. This is especially true if the region often gets blanketed with snow in the winter. But this might not be the case if you live in a warmer region where even the winters are still warm and sunny.
In this case, the harvesting season might be a little different and wineries might still be booming. The time of year you choose for your wine getaway is also important depending on what side of the hemisphere you are on. For example, in the northern hemisphere, the grape harvesting season is around October.
This is true for various wineries and tours, including Nova Scotia Wine Tours. On the other hand, the grape harvesting season in the southern hemisphere takes place in April or March. If you are traveling across hemispheres for your wine adventure, it’s a good idea to keep this in mind.
Otherwise, you might end up accidentally showing up in the middle of winter and your adventure might not be as fun as you wanted it to be. But the factors to consider don’t stop there.
Chose the Right Wine Region
Choosing the right wine region for your weekend trip is just as important, if not more so, as choosing the best time of year for your trip. Every wine region is unique and grows a certain variety of grapes. Because each variety of grapes is so different, many types of the same wine such as pinot noir or pinot grigio can taste significantly different.
If you have a love of a particular type of wine or if you want to explore a large variety of many different wines, you will want to map out all of your favorite wine regions. For example, if you are interested in California wines, you will want to know about all the wine varieties and regions in that area. Some wine regions are very small and grow a limited supply of grapes while others are huge and filled with a variety of different grapes.
Some countries are also known for growing certain types of grape varieties. For example, Riesling is one of the most popular wines in Germany and many of the grapes for that wine come from the shores of the Rhone River. On the other hand, Spanish rioja wine only comes from the region of rioja.
Of course, other countries like to experiment with growing grapes that are often grown in other countries. For example, you might find Riesling from France or other countries, but the real question is how does it compare to traditional German Riesling? On the other hand, how do different wine varieties from the same wine region taste?
Are there noticeable similarities or are they surprisingly different? By doing a bit of research on certain wine regions, you will be able to answer these questions yourself.
Plan Transportation Ahead of Time
Wineries are often out in the country, far away from the hustle and bustle (and easy transportation) of the city. For that reason, you will want to think ahead about how you plan to get to the winery and how to leave. If you plan on traveling to a different country, make sure you note where the nearest airports and train stations are.
You may or may not have to call for a taxi or rent a car to get to the winery. You may be able to drive your own car there, depending on how far you plan on going. You will also want to think about how your transportation plans will affect your timing.
If you don’t plan every detail of transportation, you could end up late and your wine tasting adventure could be ruined.
Everything You Need to Know About Wine Tasting Weekend Getaways
When it comes to planning wine tasting weekend getaways, there are many things to consider. As long as you plan for transportation, the time of year, and wine regions, you should have a great time.
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