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Destinations like Napa Valley, Bordeaux and Tuscany have long been sought after by travelers interested in wine, but for oenophiles looking to go off the beaten path in search of their next great pour, these lesser-known destinations offer innovative vineyards—as well as history, photogenic landscapes and unique local cuisine—that are worth exploring too.Contact your Trip Designer or Indagare, if you are not yet a member, to start planning a trip to one of these up-and-coming wine regions and beyond. Our team can match you with the accommodations, reservations and activities that are right for you. Plus, explore our food-and-wine-focused Indagare small-group trips.
xtended oenophilic adventures can continue even further from here to include the nearby Clare and Eden Valleys, which produce wonderful Rieslings.
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Like its neighbors Georgia, Greece and Lebanon, Turkey has been a center of wine production for millennia; however, political policies like a 2013 ban on alcohol advertising have kept Turkish wines from achieving global acclaim. In recent years, several wine routes have begun to attract international travelers, weaving through historic villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and young, boutique wineries—including many that are female-led or organic—that cultivate such grapes as the native Öküzgözü, Kalecik Karasi and Boğazkere, alongside Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (those whose tastes skew full-bodied will be happy here). A great place to begin exploring Turkish wine is the Aegean region, which has a Mediterranean climate (thanks to its proximity to the sea) and is home to Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the walls of Troy and southern seaside resort Bodrum.
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Published onOctober 11, 2023
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