Wine is and always will be the ultimate accompaniment to the sophisticated diner. Available all year round, whether you are happy or sad, there is a complimenting bouquet for the moment.

As Ernest Hemingway once said “Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.”

There are many variations on taste and smell in the wine community, depending on how mature the wine is, where it originates from and from what class of grape the wine hails from. Different vineyards can be categorized into their general region of production around the globe.

In France the most well-known areas for wine are Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace, Loire, Champagne and Rhone. Each area produces a specific flavor and blend of wine. Well-known names from these areas include Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Muscadet. Each area produces both red and white wine, although there is a preference depending on the area of choice, for example Alsace produce some red but predominantly white. The French produce between 7 and 8 billion bottles of wine per year. Their vineyard area is the second largest in the world. Italy is almost one huge vineyard! Although this is a slight overstatement, it is no secret that wine is grown all over Italy. Tuscany and Piedmont are the areas that are immediately linked to wine production by most people as these two areas are the most well-known wine producing areas.

Spain is another country which is well known for being great at producing fine wine. The following areas are known as wine regions, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Penedas and Priorat. Spain also produces both red and white wines. Germany and Austria are well known for their white wine. America produces wine in all 51 states. Washington is known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Oregon is well known for Pinot Noir. California is known to produce a good Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. California produces 89% of the total American production each year. The USA is the fourth largest wine producing country in the world. Portugal is known for their red wines, specifically Port from Duero and Madeira from Madeira. Madeira use to be used as ballast in the ships holds as they sailed the world as it is the only wine which benefits from heat. Chile and Argentina have produced a wide variety of wines as winemakers planted different varieties of grapes, these countries are known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Syrah, Sangiovese and Pinot Noir to name a few.

Australia is the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world. There is approximately 160,000 hectares of vineyards in Australia. Wines are often labeled with the name of their grape variety, which must constitute at least 85 percent of the wine. The wine industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy through production, employment, export and tourism. Australia is known for their Shiraz, they also produce large amounts of Cabernet, Sauvignons, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Browse through the rest of our site to find your suitable gift or club to join and learn more about the various types of wines and the differences between country and blend.