U.S. Wine Trails - The Perfect Weekend Getaway

Wine tours have long been popular excursions for wine lovers and those who enjoy beautiful, lush scenery. But no longer will you need to travel to France or Napa Valley for a wine tour getaway, as specialty wine trails in just about every state are catering to wine travel fans. The United States has over 6000 wineries, with at least one in every state. Many states boast specialty wine regions, with clusters of wineries grouped together in close proximity for an ideal weekend getaway.

Many small independent wineries have found grape growing conditions ideal in select geographic areas around the country. More and more of these wineries are being recognized for prestigious wine awards at national tastings and competitions. It's a fun and fascinating experience to see these wineries up close and personal, perhaps even rubbing shoulders and sharing a glass with the wine makers.

A wine trail is usually designated by a state's tourism commission, with signs and routes marked for easy navigation. Since wine making is both art and science, you'll experience different offerings and tastes at each winery. The spirit of entrepreneurship and passion for excellence is evident when you visit, and the experience of tasting new wine is an enjoyable experience to share with friends.

Most domestically produced wine available to U.S. consumers comes from California, but other states are narrowing the gap. Just as California's Napa Valley and other prolific wine growing areas are wine tourism magnets, so too are other wine areas in the country. To cite just one example, our recent research trip to Arkansas acquainted us with their beautiful wine country and wine trail in the western part of the state.

Visiting a wine trail is the very best way to experience regional wine specialties. Many locales produce wines according to the grapes and fruits most suited to their area, with palate pleasing results. Since wine shipping laws are still evolving (thankfully for the better), some wineries can't ship their wine to certain states. Even still, getting acquainted with wines from small independent wineries is akin to trying local food specialties ... it's fun, interesting, and educational.

You'll find that a wine trail wine tour is easy to navigate, as most wineries on the trail are in close proximity. Usually, it's a 10 or 15 minute drive between wineries, at most. Also, you'll encounter some charming small towns with local restaurants, attractions, friendly inns, and bed and breakfasts. With most wineries open year around, any season is the perfect time for your wine travel experience.

The best quality to bring along on a wine trail excursion is an open mind. As there are thousands of grape varieties being grown, there are equally as many wines. Leave any preconceptions about wine at home, and relish the chance to try new things. The experience of trying new wines from a new region is not only educational, but liberating and fun!

Whenever we travel a wine trail, we always add in an overnight stay. This allows us to relax and enjoy wine as it was meant to be enjoyed. It's particularly enjoyable to try local restaurants and their regional specialties. You'll even be able to break up the wineries into two seperate days, which will help keep you and your palate sharp.

Wineries along any U.S. wine trail are happy and proud to share their offerings, no matter what season you visit. You'll be able to experience new wines and explore charming small towns. Best of all, no matter where home is, there's a wine trail within a half days drive, making local wine travel a highly enjoyable and educational weekend getaway.

Article Source: http://www.thedrinkingplace.com/articles2

Jim Hofman is a free lance author specializing in beverages, and has developed several websites devoted to wine enjoyment. Jim and his wife produce a free bi-weekly newsletter, dedicated to exploring U.S. wine trails and the joy of wine travel.

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