Bin Vivant!

Next harvest, expand your wine horizons by hitting the global road. You’ll find a few regions that are seriously stealing the wine limelight

By Karen Loftus

Morocco – This Muslim country is mum about their big business

When you think of Muslim countries you don’t think of wine. Think again. Morocco produced over 40 million bottles of wine in 2008 alone, employing 10,000 Moroccans in this booming business. Locals claim the business is geared for tourists, but they’re consuming an average of one liter per year. Hit a seaside café in Casablanca and you’ll see locals indulging in the wine and the lifestyle.

The exorbitant import tax on wines is cost prohibitive for stocking international wines. You’re hard pressed to see foreign wines anywhere in Morocco. It makes good business sense to sell and produce locally.

Traditionally the bulk of the wine business has been produced in the region around Fez and Meknès, which remains the hub today. The cool climate from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean breezes keep the grapes’ acidity viable. Celliers de Meknès owned by one of the wealthiest men in the country, is by far, the largest wine producer in Morocco, producing 85% of the country’s wine. Neighbouring Castel de Meknes is another big producer.

Romans planted vines as early as the 2nd century for Castel. By early 90’s production decreased to 5% of its previous volume. With the King’s blessing Castel and other wineries intention was to bring the once vibrant business back to its splendor. Success!

Look for red Moroccan varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Ksar, Guerrouane, and Siraoua and popular whites, Gris de Boulaoune, Chardonnay and Syrah. Guerrouane Gris wine is a wonderful alternative or cousin to rosé.

When in Morocco…

Stay: Hotel Sofitel Palais Jamais in nearby Fes is U2’s favorite spot in Morocco. You can see why. Park it in this central spot, as day trips to wineries are easily accessible from Fez. Bring a bottle back to enjoy on your private terrace overlooking The Medina. www.mnto-usa.org , http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-2141-sofitel-fes-palais-jamai/index.shtml 

Fly: Royal Air Maroc is Moroco’s national airline. There are quick direct flights from JFK to Marrakech, the perfect start to any Moroccan trip. RAM serves excellent Moroccan cuisine and the service was seamless. 

For more information regarding flights & schedules contact: Royal Air Maroc – www.royalairmaroc.com

Israel – It’s about more than keeping Kosher

The modern state of Israel is relatively young, but the art of winemaking dates back to ancient times. In Israel wine has long been in and out of fashion and favor. In Biblical times it was referred to as the fruit of the vine, enjoyed by Jesus and a few followers. It was ruled out during the Islamic conquest, brought back with Christian crusaders, out again, in again, yada, yada.

Indigenous grape varieties were wiped out under Islamic rule, but leave it to the French to bring it back in fashion. French Baron Edmond de Rothschild of the Bordeaux estate, Château Lafite-Rothschild Rothschild brought over French varietals in the late 19th century and planted them in the Carmel Mountains.

The ancient art was resurrected, but it was years before it was refined.  Kosher wines were known for quantity not quality. One did not sip for the love of it. It was all about keeping Kosher. That has since changed.

One modern accomplishment, Tishbi winery in Carmel’s Mountains is producing French style Kosher wines under Golan Tishbi, fifth generation winemaker. Golan learned a thing or two about wine in New Zealand at Hawkes Bay University. He mixed the French influence with the Kiwi sensibility, which makes his wines refined, but it keeps him from being too precious about the process. www.tishbi.com

There are several wine regions; Galilee, which is most suitable due to its high elevation, The Judean Hills, which surround Jerusalem, Samson, Negev and Sharon plain, near the Mediterranean coast.

When in Israel…

Stay – Mizpe Hayamim. Grab Tishbi’s award winning Sde Boker, Reserve Chardonnay, Late Harvest Reilsling, Cabernet, Merlot or Muscat. Sit on your balcony at this Relias & Chateaux property with panoramic view of The Hermon Mountains, Golan Heights and The Sea of Galilee. www.visitisrael.com http://www.mizpe-hayamim.com/

Fly: EL AL is Israel’s airline. Grab a direct flights from JFK to Tel Aviv. Security is tight getting on the flight, but once in the air you’ll be sampling some of Israel’s fine wine & you’ll be  on the Tel Aviv beach in no time.

For more information regarding flights & schedules, contact EL AL Airlines: www.ElAl.co.il

Canada’s Okanagan Valley – The other west coast wine region

If you’re heading west, there’s more than Napa on the map The Canadians have been producing wines for over 200 years, but it wasn’t until the early 90’s that they saw a boom in production. Canadian vintners successfully demonstrated that fine grape varietials in cooler growing conditions could possess complex flavours. Currently they still hold less than a 50 % share of their domestic market, but with award winning wines holding their own on the global stage, that soon will change.

Vino explorers, head to Kelowna, an easy one-hour flight north of Vancouver for a wine weekend in The Okanagan. The two largest wine-producing regions in  Canada are the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario and the Okannagan Valley in British Columbia, with over 300 wineries.

The other valley has its share of eno stars basking in on the global limelight. Cable Bay, Quails Gate and Mission Hill are three of the biggest contenders in town. You and your designated driver can easily hit them and a few others in a day with a final swirl at Mission Hill, the crème de la crème of Canadian wineries. 

Missions Hill’s sommelier gives private or group tours and tastings rich in detail about Canadian wines, The Okanagan, their culinary program and their portfolio of wines.

Continue your tasting with Mission Hill’s award winning wines while dining on The Terrace. Pair chef Matt Batey’s meats and cheeses with Mission Hill’s Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, or a wine from the Legacy series, a Quatrain with Merlot, Syrah, Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon or a Perpetua, with three chardonnay clones.

The landscape and vistas alone are breathtaking and worth a trip in. The winery is an architectural wonder, very Romanesque, complete with amphitheater, a bell tower that rings and a barrel cellar that will have you clicking your wine soaked heels saying, “There’s no place like Mission Hill.” It’s Disneyland for vino savvy adults.

When in Canada…

Stay – Predator Ridge Resort is a one-hour drive from the heart of the wineries. It’s a perfect spot to bookend a day of tastings with a round of golf and a late night slip in to the spa with a Mission Hill bottle the perfect nightcap on your romantic terrace. www.tourismkelowna.com, www.predatorridge.com

Fly: Air Canada is Canada’s airline. You can fly direct to Vancouver. After a few days playing the role of city slicker, grab a quick commuter flight from Vancouver to Kelowna, the Okanagan’s airport. It’s such an intimate spot, you’ll feel like you are flying in to a private hangar. The best part is that it’s only an hour away. You’ll be tipping back in no time.

For booking and more information on Air Canada: www.aircanada.com

Croatia – The old is new again as these old vines take on new meaning

Croatia is an old world wine region that dates back to Greek times. We’re told that Croatian vines were on the Titanic en route to California. They didn’t make that trip, but apparently their vines have made their mark and have been planted in South Africa, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and in several prominent wine regions around the world.

Well known Napa vintner Miljenko Grgich is a Croatian native and has long argued that Zinfandel descended from Croatia’s Plavac Mali grape, the foundation for many Dalmation reds. DNA testing has since proved him right.

There are two distinct wine-producing regions in Croatia, continental and coastal. Within the regions are several subregions making up a total of 300 geographically defined regions of wine.

The Dingac region in the southern part of the Peljesac region is one of the smallest and most unique regions in Croatia producing some of the best reds in Europe. The dark full-bodied red has been made close to 500 years from Plavac Mali grapes on steep slopes overlooking The Adriatic Sea. Dingac is a definitive part of the Croatian viniculture and is widely recognized by oenophiles.

There is a string of small wineries along the road in the region, a perfect spot for tastings and tours. It’s an ambient ride, a great way to take in the coast and the culture.

Croatians take their vino seriously. They’ve seen a major boom in the past ten years with plans for the next ten to give them the global recognition and the credit they deserve. I’ll drink to that.

When in Croatia…

Stay – The Excelsior in Dubrovnik, a regal retreat for political and cinema stars, close to Dingac region is a quick inspired drive along the coast. Sipping on a bottle of Dingac while overlooking the impassioned Adriatic will blow your wine mind. You’ll be sweet dreaming in no time. www.croatia.hr www.hotel-excelsior.hr

Fly: SWISS International Airlines. There’s no better way to break up a European flight than with a full one day jaunt in Zurich. The airport, like the country is so well run. lt  is easy to store your luggage in between flights, then hop on a train that will take you to city center in less than 40 minutes. You can shop, indulge in their award winning cuisine and sample the great SWISS wines, poured in local restaurants. They only export 1% of their wines. So, sip locally while you can. After a day of indulging, grab a direct flight from Zurich to Zagreb. What you missed on the ground you can catch in flight with SWISS airline’s Michelin starred chef’s cuisine and many Swiss and global wines to choose from. Let the adventure begin.

For more information and booking SWISS International airline:  www.SWISS.com

New Zealand’s Wine Island – Waiheke Island

Locals know Waiheke, once an artist colony, as New Zealand’s wine island. It’s a mere 40-minute ferry ride, yet a world away from Auckland’s busy city center.

In the 80’s Waiheke became the spot for high quality reds based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc. Stephen White of Stonyridge Wineries, a maverick in the industry, one of Waiheke’s first, said the soil was similar to that in the Bordeaux. And so a region was born.

There are so many exceptional wineries on Waiheke. No matter what direction you head in, you can’t go wrong. Many have award winning chefs and restaurants with a cuisine that rivals the wines and world-class accommodations perfect for romance or reflection.

Kennedy Point’s winemaker and proprietor is an American woman who’s won many awards with her Syrah/Viognier and Merlot wines. Cable Bay is a creative spot complete with restaurant and a gallery style space. They’re having great success with their Pinot Gris, Viogniers and Syrahs.

Stonyridge is a can’t miss with their Bordeaux style ultra premium and New Zealand’s first Rhone Ranger wine, made with the classic varieties of the southern France – Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache.
If you’re looking to wine and dine Te Whau is an evocative spot with their 360-degree view. Scotland’s Bond Connery claims their salmon is the best on the planet. It’s hard to argue.

For evening eats Mudbrick is a great place to reflect on the days tasting and your good fortune. Many do the big I Do on site. With or without a marriage, it’s easy to commit to coming back to Waiheke.

When in Waiheke…

Stay – Matiatia is the closest spot to the ferry and waterfront on Waiheke. Their chic French styled suites are a slice of the idyllic island life. If you’re day tripping, slip back in to Mollies, an urban oasis, with original art in the room and opera in the hallway.  www.newzealand.com, www.matiatiabay.com www.Mollies.co.nz  

Fly: Air New Zealand is New Zealand’s airline. Aside from a sumptuous cuisine, an excellent cinema selcetion and a turn down service that could rival any hotel, they too have an stellar wine selection of NewZealand wines by the glass and a gorgeuos selection of global wines. The flight from LA to Auckland is one long haul flight that you are sorry to see cme to an end.

For more infrmation and booking on Air New Zealand: www.airnewzealand.com

Argentina – Southern Comfort in Mendoza
The first thing you see as you drive away from Francisco Gabrielli’s International airport in Mendoza is the vines on their lot. If you didn’t know you were in wine country when you landed, it is crystal clear as you exit and kick start your vine inspired adventure.

Mendoza is all about the vines. The Napa of South America, the fifth largest wine region in the world is producing 70% of Argentina’s wines. There are other regions; Mendoza’s just the mightiest at the moment and Malbec is its super star. 

You’ll find many family-run wineries with 4th and 5th generation winemakers at the helm. Zuccardi Winery dates back ot the mid 19th century. Today winemaker Jose Zuccardi and his ex-wife amicably run the winery with their two sons and daughter actively involved, one of which found his passion at the olive oil presses. Take in the vines via balloon or bike or get to work picking or pruning depending upon the season. Whether its pain or pleasure, you’ll be wildly rewarded with their traditional asada paired with The Zeta, Reserva Bonarda or Malbec.

The iconic Uco Valley is the highest of the four regions within Mendoza. It is at the foot of the Andes Mountains lying at 800 to 1400m above sea level.

Salentein Winery an architectural accomplishment perfectly offsets the pristine backdrop. The Dutch owned winery is also an art gallery for prestigious Mendoza and Argentinean artists and a restaurant, a showcase for their Chardonnay, Pinot, Merlots and their greatest work of art, their Premium Malbec. This region is very sophisticated. Check it out while it’s still rustic.

When in Mendoza…

Stay – The Sheraton Mendoza Hotel and Casino is city centric, walking distance to all of the shops and top restaurants. It’s one of the few five star restaurants in town with the best view of the city from the rooftop restaurant. www.argentina.travel http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1733

Fly: LAN is the go to airline for all of your South American travel jaunts, be it Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador or Colombia. The LAN staff is excellent and.incedibly attentive. When a passport went missing, they turned the cabin inside out until they found it. Fly in to Buneos Aires for a few days of Argentina’s rich culture and urban life before grabbing a quick commuter flight right in to Mendoza. 

For more information and booking a flight on LAN Airlines: www.LAN.com

Written and Photographed by Karen Loftus

Follow Karen Loftus on Twitter: @LAKarenLoftus