My Idea of wine tourism
The visit to the cellar in recent years has been enjoying enormous success. The merit cannot be only of the wine. Wine tourism becomes a way to get to know and experience the world of wine up close.
Why do we go to the cellar? Perhaps to taste a new wine and buy bottles at the place of production. But it’s not just about this. Today there are faster ways to get a specific bottle on your table, even a different one every night.
So then the real question becomes, but is wine the end or the means? I lean towards the second hypothesis. Wine is the tool that unites nature with people.
It is the means that allows you to combine traditions, the work of the land, the testimonies of history with the beauty of being together and sharing the moment. And in some people, it tickles the desire to know more.
MY EXPERIENCE FOR WINE TOURISM ON FOOT
My idea of wine tourism is not a visit to a winery but the desire to get to know a place of wine on foot. This place is the foundation of the designation of origin. And we will talk about this along the way.
With this premise, I propose wine tourism activities in these areas:
Franciacorta
Franciacorta has a very ancient history that connects to monasteries, convents, and medieval castles. Finally, it is the way to reach Lake Iseo from Brescia and Milan, the least known of northern Italy’s lake destinations but no less enjoyable to experience. A curiosity? Lake Iseo is home to the largest inhabited lake island in Europe: Monte Isola.
Franciacorta, located in the center of Lombardy, is one of Italy’s most renowned areas for producing Traditional Method sparkling wines —excellent bubbles whose aromas range from toasted notes to hints of cream and creams. The grape varieties allowed are Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay. Still, recently, a native grape variety has been added that I invite you to discover.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella is the perfect region for hiking. On foot, we get to know a landscape as far as the eye can see between Verona and Lake Garda. Small villages and hidden hermitages coexist on our itineraries with frescoed villas that belonged to noble families, amid views and legends of other times. And among the cracks of ancient walls, it is not difficult to find examples of spontaneous vegetation, typical of Mediterranean territories.
Valpolicella is located in the western area of Veneto. Its famous red wines are known and sold worldwide. The blend of Corvina and Rondinella grapes and more local varieties is the origin of the iconic Amarone, which has become a real ambassador of its birthplace. Visiting the area offers the chance to discover the less famous styles of Valpolicella wines. Do not miss the opportunity to taste Recioto, the dessert version, which represents the start of this story.
Lugana
Lugana coincides with the southern shore of Lake Garda. The soft hills around are often ignored because of the presence of famous tourist destinations such as the town of Sirmione. These hills are perfect for hiking and allow visitors to discover secluded places that were key players in Italy’s unification process and the origin of organizations such as the International Red Cross.
Lugana is an emerging denomination located in the southern area of Lake Garda between Lombardy and Veneto. It produces white wines from Turbiana grapes in several styles, such as Sparkling and Riserva – all worth trying. But among the wines in the Lugana area, there is also a “hidden gem” unknown to most, which is worth discovering.
Valtenesi
Valtenesi is not easy to identify. We are on the southwestern shore of Lake Garda, more precisely in the strip between the Gulf of Salò, the southern coast, and the profile of the first hills to the west. It is a perfect territory for hiking, where you can discover ancient areas, now UNESCO territories, such as the Pile-dwelling Sites in the Alps, and brand-new installations, such as the Big Benches.
Valtenesi is the appellation for rosé wine lovers. It originally started with still wines, but recently, sparkling versions have been added increasingly. The blend is composed of red grapes and consists of Groppello in the leading role, flanked by Marzemino, Sangiovese, and Barbera in varying percentages. It is not to be missed, either in the winery or on a terrace at the lake during the sunset!
