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| The Course |
| Introduction to the course |
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1/2 The geography of wine
Countries
to visit and the wines they offer
Although viticulture began in
Asia, over the centuries Europe has been the region which can boast the strongest
vinegrowing and winemaking traditions. First in Greece and from there to Italy
and France, but also in Spain and Portugal, the vine has found its home and contributed
over the centuries to the history, culture and traditions of these countries.
Colonisation then took this tradition overseas and major new
winegrowing areas are developing in North America and Central
and South America, while Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
are all emerging as major wine producers. And now for a quick
trip round the winegrowing regions of the world. Statistics
are from 1995 (Source: O.IV., the International Bureau for Vines
and Wine or Office International de la Vigne et du Vin). As
a reference Italy's wine production for that year was 56 million
hectolitres.
Europe
France (55 million hectolitres)
Chief competitor to Italy, France has the largest number of
wines classified as being of guaranteed quality and origin.
Vines are grown throughout the country, with 'historic' areas
such as Champagne (home of the famous sparkling wine), Burgundy
(producer of the great reds based on the Pinot Noir grape)
and the Bordeaux (famous for reds produced from blends of
Cabernet and Merlot grapes) and Alsace (white wines renowned
for their spicy bouquet).
Spain (19.6 million hectolitres) Spain
has an extremely varied winegrowing scenario and quality is continually improving.
Alongside winemaking milestones such as Jerez (known as Sherry in English) the
Iberian peninsula is developing a deep-seated culture of wine. The leading areas
are Rioja (an area important for its red wines), Cataluña (which produces
Cava, the Spanish sparkling wine produced by the classic method, among other wines),
but also lesser-known areas such as 'cold' Galicia and the more temperate areas
around Valencia.
Germany (11 million hectolitres)
White
wines are predominant in Germany, chiefly from the Rhine Riesling and Müller-Thurgau,
but also the Sylvaner and Kerner grapes. Winegrowing is concentrated in the south-west
of the country. There are many wines produced from overripe and dried grapes.
Portugal (7.1 million hectolitres)
Tradition is the key word here.
Portugal has always concentrated on its own grape varieties, of which there are
over 500. The main wines are the famous dessert wines (especially port and madeira),
but also vinho verde, a light, slightly acid wine. There are many important reds,
especially those of the Alentejo region.
Greece (3.8 million
hectolitres)
Among the countries which first began to cultivate vines and
make wine, Greece has an extraordinary heritage of native vines. For years, however,
winemaking techniques have followed those of the distant past (such as the ancient
habit of 'resinating' the grape juice or must during fermentation) and the country
has only recently made decisive steps towards quality, especially in the north,
one of the emerging areas.
Austria (2.2 million hectolitres)
The Austrian winegrowing areas are on the east and towards
the borders of the country. The climate and terrain are ideal
for white wines with an particularly pronounced bouquet, especially
from Rhine Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. Mittelburgenland
produces some important red wines.
Switzerland (1.2 million
hectolitres)
Swiss wines are increasingly appreciated abroad. Among whites
the most important grape is the Chasselas, which is mainly
grown in western Switzerland. Among reds Pinot Noir dominates
and is grown everywhere, along with Merlot which has been
brought back by a number of growers in Canton Ticino.
Eastern Europe
From the point of view of quantity Eastern Europe is
of major importance. Romania leads, with a production of almost 7 million hectolitres
(a country with enormous potential, but a backward-looking attitude to winegrowing
and winemaking), followed by ex-Yugoslavia with 5.2 million hectolitres (Slovenia
is one of the most important areas), Hungary with 3.2 million hectolitres (one
of the most important areas is the Tokay region, which is internationally famous),
Bulgaria (2.2 million hectolitres, mostly 'honest' easy-drinking reds) and ex-Czechoslovakia
(1.1 million hectolitres produced in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with development
going ahead in the Moravia area of Slovakia).
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