Ask a casual wine drinker to rattle off some wine regions and they will probably name either Napa or Bordeaux. However, with the ever-evolving landscape of vineyards, changing weather, an increase in demand and a new generation of oenophiles, or wine connoisseurs, the go-to provinces have new competition. While these emerging regions may not be too popular yet, they certainly have a bright future — and less popularity means fewer crowds.
A great way to explore some of these regions is during a cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean International, for example, visits many of ports of call that are just a day trip away from up-and-coming vineyards that are starting to make a splash.
Canterbury Region of New Zealand. Traveling to New Zealand? In between bird watching (the elusive kiwi is one of New Zealand’s treasured flightless birds) and exploring the beautiful countryside, you can get your red or white fix in Canterbury, the oldest grape-growing region in the South Island of New Zealand. This vineyard is known for its award-winning Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Several wineries, such as Point Bush Estates Vineyard & Winery, are also open for tours and tastings.
Serra Gaúcha Region of Brazil.The climate and soil in the Serra Gaúcharegion of Brazil allows for the growing of both red and white grapes, and in the last 10 years, there has been a considerable investment placed in research and development of the area’s vineyards. Besides enjoying the wine in this southern mountainous region, take in natural attractions such as the Cascata do Caracol waterfall and the Nova Prata hot springs. Stop by on your way to or from a 3, 4, or 5-night Brazilian cruise.
Ontario and British Columbia Regions of Canada. While much of Canada is too cold for the production of grapes, the popular regions of Southern Ontario and Southern British Columbia have become notable for their wines — especially Canada’s signature Ice Wine. There are several pioneering vineyards popping up around the country too, including The Niagra Peninsula, well known for their crisp whites. Be sure to taste some of these Northern spirits before setting off an Alaska cruise from Vancouver, BC. Hockey and wine make a great Canadian combo.
Greece. While Greece has been producing wines for thousands of years, the area has never been thought of as a “wine region”…until recently. Areas such as Peloponesos and Thessaly have sparked a resurgence of interest from wine lovers across the globe. These areas use a native Greek variety of grapes such as Assyrtiko (white) and Mavrodafni (red), which are producing wines to rival some of the world’s best. During your next trip to Greece, get a taste of the local flavor and pair the wines with some of the Mediterranean nation’s fresh, heart-healthy cuisine.
Interested in enjoying wine in an even less traditional setting? Royal Caribbean’s Vintages Wine Bar, available on Freedom and Oasis-class ships, as well as Mariner of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, offers wine tastings led by a Royal Caribbean cellar master. You will learn wine details, history and suggested food pairings and have the opportunity to sample blends from premier world wineries such as Penfolds in Australia and Caymus in California. Royal Caribbean’s partnership with these wineries is so exclusive that their ships are the only places you can taste and buy certain wines other than at the wineries themselves. The range of wine at Vintages spans the familiar to the high-end and exclusive, with many options in the middle as well.
So go beyond the go-to vineyards and explore some of the hidden wine gems at home and abroad. The world is your oyster, or in this case, your grape!