Introduction

This booklet chronicles visits to international wine regions between 2014 and 2019. Touring wine regions appeals to me for several reasons. Usually, the landscape is beautiful, the hospitality is great, I learn a lot about wine from the 'coalface', and - perhaps most importantly - when I later drink a wine from the region, there is a story connected to the bottle. This really enriches the experience.

The regions covered are Mendoza (2 reports), Ribera del Duero, Burgundy, Rhône, Douro Valley, Uruguay, and Rioja. The second Mendoza report, Uruguay, Rhône and the Rioja report are taken from my wine blog. The others are articles written for Gourmet Traveller Wine. There is a difference in style. The GTW articles are a bit more general and include touring advice, whereas the wine blog articles focus on tasting only.

There are some inconsistencies in format, as the reports come from different sources, and blogger has only limited manipulation options. I hope this will not be too distracting.

I hope this booklet inspires you to travel to these and other beautiful wine regions when travel is allowed again.

Thomas Girgensohn, Sydney, October 2020. 

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