Famous wine regions of Europe

With its diverse landscapes and climates, Europe has much to offer wine lovers. A pleasure trip in pictures from the Moselle to Bordeaux, from Tuscany to Tokaj.

Romance on the Moselle

The Romans planted vines on the steep slopes of the Moselle 2000 years ago. It is the oldest wine growing region in Germany. More than 100 winegrowers invite you to stop, as well as the Moselle town of Cochem (picture). The top wines of the region achieve record prices at international auctions.

Riesling from the Palatinate

The 18-meter high Weintor is the landmark of the German Wine Route, which has been leading through the Palatinate for 80 years. Here is the largest Riesling area in the world. The "King of German wines" enjoys a good reputation worldwide. Already at the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 was initiated with a Palatine Riesling.

Bordeaux - city, countryside, wine

Bordeaux - that's the name of the western French city, the famous wine growing region around it and the dry, long-lived red wines that thrive here in the mild Atlantic climate. And above all, the cock, the symbolic animal of France, watches proudly.

Burgundy - Who offers more?

Every year in November, the wine world meets in the French region of Burgundy for the world famous wine auction in the Hospices de Beaune. The Burgundy wines themselves are constantly making exorbitant awards: for one barrel of "Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru", 220,000 euros were paid last year.

Tuscany - home of Chianti and co

Italy is the largest wine producer in the world. And the heart beats in Tuscany. The hilly landscape and the mild climate make great wines mature: Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. They are made from the grapes of Sangiovese, a grape variety that only exists in Italy.

Douro - Portugal's most famous wine region

On the slopes of the Douro Valley grow sweet, full-bodied grapes, which form the basis for the port, a high-proof dessert wine. In oak barrels, he is brought to the port of Porto, where he is at least two years stored. The Douro river valley became the world's first protected wine-growing region in 1756 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

Rioja - Barrique wines from Spain

The winery "Bodega Ysios" is a prominent figurehead of the Rioja region. Architect Santiago Calatrava designed it in the form of juxtaposed wine barrels. Already in the 19th century, the winemakers matured their red wines in so-called "barricas", ie in oak barrels, which give the wine its unmistakable character.

Tokajer - what a long fermentation, will be fine

The Hungarian city of Tokaj is named after this precious wine, which is made from white wine grapes. Mandatory is ten-year maturation in barrel and then five years in the bottle. Typical for the region are the labyrinthine underground tunnel systems, in which the Tokaj wines can calmly develop their taste.

Greece - cradle of European wine culture

Dionysus, the god of wine, is a Greek. No wonder, because as early as the 16th century BC, the ancient Greeks grew wine. He encamped in amphorae sealed with tree resin, Retsina. It gave the wine a special flavor. Even today small pieces of resin are added to the wine fermentation to produce the typical Retsina wine.