WINE AND CHEESE TOURISM

WINE TOURISM

v  Wine Tourism, Enotourism, Oenotourism, or Vinitourism refers to tourism whose purpose is or includes tasting, consumption or purchase of wine, often at or near the source. Wine tourism can consist of visit to wineries, vineyards and restaurants known to offer unique vintages, as well as organized wine tours or rather special events.

v  Many wine regions around the world have found it financially beneficial to promote such tourism; accordingly, growers associations and others in the hospitality industry in wine regions have spent significant amounts of money to promote such tourism.

v  This is true not only to “old world” producers (such as Australia, Argentina, Chile, United States or South Africa), where wine tourism plays an important role in advertising their products. In Argentina, for example, the Mendoza Province is becoming one of the tourist destinations in the country as Argentina wine strides to gain international recognition. Similarly, the National Wine Centre of Australia showcases the Australian Wine Industry, and visitors from around the world visit Northern California’s Wine Country.

v  Winery tasting room is no longer simply venues to taste and purchase wine. Many offer a complete tourism experience- including services as restaurants, accommodation, tours, picnic facilities and recreational facilities. Today’s tasting room is a place where visitors can interact with the product, the winemaker and experience firsthand, the rich diversity that the wine region has to offer.

CHEESE TOURISM

Cheese is relatively late entrant in field of Tourism, however, it is following the same steps of wine and it is not wrong to say “CHEESE is the New Wine”. A network of cheese trails is developing all over the world in Cheese producing areas. This represents the dawn of new tourism called Cheese Tourism. People are looking for new ideas to travel and cheese has all the complexity and sophistication to really take on people’s interest. People are excited not only to taste the best of the cheese of a specific region but also cover a trail which is built from a shop to cheese making factory. These trails have been captured the attention of many cheese producers and many tours have been launched.

Cheese Journeys provides behind the scenes access to cheese makers, wine producers and food experiences that few culinary travelers discover on their own. These tours feature villa stays with visits from local experts, food artisans, and guest educators.

 CHEESE DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Creamy or aged, orange or blue, artisan or not, cheese has been our silent companion for as long as history can recall.

Whether paired with a classy wine, a French baguette, an exquisite jamon, nuts and honey, or maybe grilled and unpretentiously topped on a sandwich, cheese remains one of the world’s most varied and versatile aliments, and an endless topic of fascination for enthusiasts from all over.

Here are some of World’s famous destinations to indulge in your passion for Cheese:

Normandy, France

Widely famous for its superior dairy products, lovely coastline, historical towns, and picturesque countryside dotted with apple orchards, Normandy is also an ideal destination for cheese lovers. From the renowned creamy and mild Camembert to the pungent Livarot and the slightly crumbly Neufchâtel, the beautiful region along the coast of the English Channel boasts one of the most exquisite cheese boards in France.

La Mancha, Spain

Highly appreciated for its full buttery texture and slightly piquant flavor, Queso Manchego, or the cheese of Don Quixote, is exclusively produced from the milk of Manchega sheep breed in designated areas within La Mancha region, including the provinces of Toledo, Cuenca, Ciudad Real, and Albacete.

Emilia Romagna, Italy

The northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna is the birthplace of Parmigiano Reggiano – the “King of all Cheeses”, which, together with Modena’s unparalleled balsamic vinegar, Parma’s famous ham, and Bologna’s patented delicacies, defines one of the finest gastronomic regions in Italy.

The distinguished Parmigiano Reggiano cheese has its roots almost 8 centuries ago, and nowadays is still made using the same genuine time-honored methods. A visit to the Museum of Parmigiano Reggiano in Soragna will certainly be the highlight of your trip.

Somerset, South West England

Somerset is increasingly gaining recognition for a great range of traditional, blue and new cheeses, but what really put it on the world map was, and will always be, the versatile Cheddar.

Take some time to explore the village of Cheddar, which gave birth to the most popular type of cheese in the UK, and pay a visit to the famous Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company to see the only cheese makers left in town practicing their skills..

Asturias, Spain

Often called “El Pais de los Quesos” (Land of Cheese), the wild and beautiful Asturias in northern Spain is a real paradise for the discerning cheese lover. The most famous Asturian cheese is Cabrales, known for its pungent, strong flavor, but the area features a pretty interesting selection of cheeses, including Afuega’l pitu – the oldest Spanish cheese with its headquarters in the municipality of Grado; Casin – made in southern Asturias; and Gamonéu – a delicious, lightly smoked cheese originating in the village with the same name.

The Netherlands’ Cheese Markets

The charming medieval cheese markets in The Netherlands are a feast for any cheese passionate out there. Whether you choose to visit the iconic Gouda Cheese Market in western Netherlands (South Holland) or those located in the northern part of the country – including the traditional Edam Cheese Market, the famous Alkmaar, or the one held in the appealing city of Hoorn – you’ll certainly have an excellent experience, filled with plenty of culture, entertaining, and, of course, cheese.

French Alps

In addition to the spectacular scenery and the excellent adventure opportunities, the mighty French Alps grant the world with a wonderful variety of cheeses. From the delicious washed-rind Reblochon to the sophisticated Beaufort, the renowned factories and artisan cheese producers scattered throughout the Savoie and Haute Savoie regions welcome guests with a multitude of cheese types, from soft to hard and from famed to peculiar – all of them produced according to ancient traditional techniques.