6 Must-visit Vineyards from a Wine Expert’s Bucket List
Sipping under the sun, surrounded by the world’s best wines is the only kind of vacation we’re looking forward to this year.
We had a chat with wine aficionado Aishwarya Nair Mathew, a professional sommelier and wine director who gave us an insight into the world of wine and an expert’s point of view on must-visit vineyards around the world.
Currently based in Singapore, Aishwarya consults with private acquisition of wine for connoisseurs, world over. She also happens to be the only woman in India to have been felicitated with a Diploma d’honneur (an honorary diploma ) by the region of Champagne and is a a Chevalier du Tastevin, an exclusive bacchanalian fraternity of Burgundy.
Before jumping into Aishwarya’s bucket list, she breaks down New World and Old World Wines for us:
New World Wine
Wines that come from previously colonized countries that borrowed winemaking traditions and techniques from other countries to kickstart their own.
Country of Origin: United States of America, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Australia and South Africa.
Old World Wine
Where winemaking traditions first originated and places where wines, grapes, and winemakers, were exported into other countries. Essentially the birthplaces of wine.
Country of Origin: Europe and the Middle East, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Croatia, Georgia, Romania, Hungary and Switzerland.
Here are her recommendations:
Old World Wine
Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Burgundy, France
An estate in Burgundy, France that produces red and white wine – this estate takes its name from a famous vineyard Romanée-Contee, a vineyard known for its red wine, with Pinot Noir as the primary grape variety.
Best Time to Visit: May
Bottle to Take Home: La Tâche
Chateaux Margaux, Bourdeaux, France
Located in the Médoc region, Château Margaux is a wine-growing estate of Bordeaux Wine. Chateau Margaux is one of the few vineyards to have remained relatively unchanged for centuries.
Best Time to Visit: May
Bottle to Take Home: Château Margaux (Premier Grand Cru Classé) white and red.
Gaja, Piemonte, Italy
From the Piemonte region in northwestern Italy, Gaja is a winery that has transformed winemaking in Italy with their radical innovations. Producing some of the most collectible labels worldwide, Gaja aims to produce wines that reflect tradition and culture.
Best Time to Visit: September
Bottle to Take Home: Gaja Barbaresco DOCG
New World Wine
Opus one vineyard, California, United States
A Winery located in Oakville, California, United States, Opus One is a joint venture between owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, and the famous Napa Valley wine producer Robert Mondavi to combine both families’ winemaking traditions and innovations to create the perfect blend. A fusion between Napa Valley and Bordeaux, the Opus One Wine is one of the most prestigious worldwide.
Best Time to Visit: Late August
Bottle to Take Home: Opus one wine
Torbreck, Barossa Valley, Australia
A winery in the Barossa Valley, Australia, Torbreck is known for its wines made by emulating the styles of those in the Rhone Valley using various white and red grapes. Their vision is to pay homage to the vineyards of the Barossa valley, home to some of the oldest vines.
Best Time to Visit: January
Bottle to Take Home: The Steading Blanc
Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina
Located in Mendoza, Argentina, Catena Zapata is a family owned winery known for its full-bodied red wines. It is also recognized for its pyramid-like design based on Mayan architecture.
Best Time to Visit: April
Bottle to Take Home: Catena Zapata Adrianna White Bones Chardonnay
