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
It is not a walk in the vineyard. Instead, go back for a few hours to perform the gestures that belonged to generations of people before us. On foot, we walk along the paths designed over time by people who reached the various villages on foot or with their animals for commercial or social reasons. And as we walk, we talk about wines and people. And we combine physical activity with the exploration of the place.
The world of wine is intriguing and versatile. It can be exclusive or inclusive, depending on our feelings, the walking experience integrates several aspects of entertainment we usually undertake separately, namely:
- well-being through the slow physical activity of walking in nature
- food and wine culture and more, in the cellar, we know the production techniques and the characteristics of wine and food, while in the walking routes we always pass between monuments and churches that have played a role in our history
- sensorial both as regards wine and food tasting, but not only: walking in a place is, in fact, a sensory discovery with all the tools available silences, bells, hums, scents of nature, heat, coolness, wind. Every element gives a sensation when we put ourselves in observation
I take travelers by the hand and accompany them to discover the destination and the denomination, which overlap with different objectives. With the walking tours, we immerse ourselves in the territory of vineyards, slopes, evidence of history, and breathtaking views until arriving at the winery for the visit and tasting.
Here the story meets the present and its wines. The exploration continues between the aromas and flavors and our ability to grasp the nuances of tasting.
The food habit of consuming wine with meals belongs to the people of southern Europe. Consequently, the propensity to combine courses with certain wines is a continuous search for the best combination. Therefore, the meal paired with local wines is the ideal complement to the wine tourism experience.
My places of 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:
located in the center of Lombardy, is one of the most renowned areas in Italy for the production of Classic 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, but recently a native grape variety has been added that I invite you to discover.
is located in the western area of Veneto in the province of Verona and is famous for great Italian red wines exported worldwide. But Verona is not just about wine. The native vines of Valpolicella have original and curious names that we will discover together and a world of wine types to know, taste, give and enjoy together.
Lugana –
is an emerging denomination located in the southern area of Lake Garda between Lombardy and Veneto. It produces still white wines from Turbiana grapes of different types, some not well known. All to try. But in the Lugana area, there is also a “hidden gem” unknown to most, which is worth discovering.
is the hidden denomination for those who love rosé wines. It lies in the eastern part of Lombardy, bordered by Lake Garda. Among the well-known grape varieties of the blend, Groppello is the only native grape present only in this area and in Trentino, in limited quantities. You cannot miss it!
THE TOURS
The sparkling tour
An endless chain of bubbles, from bottom to top, enchants and seduces the guest during the tasting in Franciacorta. Fragrances of pastries and creams of the most famous Italian Classic Method reveal themselves to the nose of the guest. Franciacorta lies in the heart of Lombardy, the most dynamic region of the country, where the obsession with quality is a lifestyle at every level. Franciacorta also offers its guests unexpected landscapes and moments of history that tell how much the bond of wine with the territory comes from very far in time.
The minerality of subsoil
Lugana is the area south of Lake Garda. It takes its name from a small village near Sirmione. It presents still white wines in five types, gradually becoming one of the leading denominations on the Italian scene, already renowned abroad. The territory was the scene of an important battle of the Italian Risorgimento, a clash of the great European powers at that time, and fundamental in the unification of the country. The excursion is an excellent excuse to reflect on the consequences of those events in the world of wine and to discover an enological “hidden gem” available only on-site.
The vine in pink
Rosé wine is the vocation of Valtènesi, the southwestern area of Lake Garda. Its wines are not well known; however, they have an ancient history and are extraordinarily consistent with the territory that hosts them, always far from extremes. The temperate climate of the lake, the softness of the hills, and the constant breeze are also the ideal place for the experience on foot. Beyond the beaches of the tourist crowds, the Valtenesi offers incredible panoramic views, reserved for the few who decide to “dare” beyond the traditional lakeside experience.
Infinite shades of red
Valpolicella’s reputation is linked to wine. Its name has appeared for decades on wine lists all over the world. Amarone Della Valpolicella is the undisputed prince of the styles. Still, the rest of the range is second to none and deserves several tastings. But red in this area of the world is not limited to wine. In the valleys adjacent to Valpolicella the red marble is extracted. It is considered one of the finest ornamental stones. I have designed this walking tour to appreciate these peculiarities in an intense experience that combines knowledge and enjoyment.
WINE TOURISM À LA CARTE
Tailor-made walking tour
As you may have guessed, I suggest that you approach wine tourism the same way you would choose wine at the restaurant. In the end, my offer is a mini wine list where the wine tourist “chooses” which wine and “origin” to discover on foot or by traditional means.
At this point, you can choose between two options: pick the one that intrigues you most from my tours or get inspired by my choices to create the “tailor-made walking tour” for your wishes! Contact me using the form!
See you on the trail. Cheers!
