10 Wine Tours You Can Take On A Budget
The U.S. is the second biggest consumer of wine, behind - you guessed it! - France. But enotourism, travel centered on wine, is an American invention that started in the 1970s with the Napa Valley marketing itself as a wine connoisseurs' dream destination.
As other wine-producing nations caught on, enotourism has boomed: As many as 27 million U.S. travelers partake in wine-related travel each year.
As with any trendy destination or activity, the "money is no object" mindset is common in enotourism. But who says you can't drink great wine in a fantastic vacation spot at a reasonable cost?
With that in mind, we found 10 amazing trips that will thrill any budget-conscious oenophile.
1. Taste All of France Without Leaving Paris
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But here's an idea for oenophiles on a budget: Head to Paris and take a "virtual" tasting trip across the major wine regions of France. Just minutes from the Louvre, you can take the two-hour "tour de French wines" for under $100.
A private sommelier will take you through a tasting tour of seven regional French wines, explaining how the differences in climate, grape varieties and winemaking produce unique qualities in each. You'll master the art of wine tasting - and may even impress your friends with your fluency using terms like terroir and appellation, as you learn how to read a French wine label.
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2. Become A Champagne Expert In Reims
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While in Reims tour the Champagne House of G.H.Mumm - with over 25 million bottles on the racks of its vast cellars that span 15 miles - for about half the cost of a bottle of their Champagne. Tour ranges from $20 to $35, depending on your choice of wines to taste.
You will learn how Mumm Champagne is made, and also to fully appreciate the qualities of Champagne and the fascinating rituals involved. You will also see one of the finest museums on Champagne making in the world.
3. Porto, The World HQ Of Port Wine
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The Douro Valley is the oldest defined, regulated and protected wine region in the world - predating even France. At under $50, this wonderful tour acquaints you with the city's iconic sites, like the Bolhão Market and Clérigos church, then on to the caves at the House of Croft - the world's oldest extant port winery - for a superb tasting.
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4. Buenos Aires
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And then there are the wonderful wines of Argentina! Hosted by the sommelier of the famous El Querandi restaurant, you will experience the specialized wines of Argentina's Patagonia, Cuyo and Northeast regions. At $51, this 90-minute tour of their wine cellar is unique for its special pairings of wine and foods - a specialty of the chefs of El Querandi. A five-hour version of the tour also includes dinner and a tango performance.
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5. The Wineries of Sonoma
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But that doesn't mean you have to break the bank to taste wine in Sonoma. This half-day adventure, costing under $50, is a one-and-only. Embarking from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco at noon, it thrills both the palate and the eye, with tastings at multiple vineyards amid the splendor of the beautiful vineyards and hillsides of Carneros. You'll tour both boutique and mass production vineyards - all in all, an unforgettable celebration of the joys of California wine country.
6. Assisi
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Try a three-hour tour of the Mencarelli vineyards, at the wallet-friendly price of less than $30 per person. The highlight is a picnic lunch or dinner, under a breathtaking panorama of the Basilica and Umbrian landscape. Your basket includes a bottle of SIAO wine (and olive oil as well), Perugia bread, pecorino cheese, a variety of cold cuts and more. Tour also includes information about viticulture and the wine-making process, with a focus on Umbrian wines.
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7. Barcelona
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We recommend this half-day small group tour, which at under $70 per person features wine tasting in Oller del Mas, a 10th century castle located outside of Barcelona, along with visits to its vineyard and cellar. Go in the afternoon for the wine tasting experience, or in the morning to experience a visit to Montserrat and a Spanish brunch. See the rave reviews from customers!
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8. The Nuanced Wines Of The Little Carpathians
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The town of Modra, located just minutes outside of Bratislava, also offers one of the best values in wine-tasting, with 10 wines to sample at a price of roughly $20 per person. This "amazing" three-hour tour is hosted by the vineyard's world-recognized winemaker, who regularly serves as a judge in prestigious wine competitions.
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9. Budapest Tour
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Start in the historic Jewish Quarter of Pest, and then visit the largest functioning synagogue in Europe. Other stops include the Jewish Museum, the Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Park to the Jewish Martyrs, and the labyrinth of courtyards and alleys that linked the buildings of the ghetto. End your tour in one of the most atmospheric wine bars in Budapest, sampling wines from across Hungary, all in the company of a skilled sommelier.
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10. The Charm Of Italy's Adriatic Coast
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And just outside Trani you will find the magnificent vineyards and wine cellars of charming Apulia. A great value at roughly $20 per person, we recommend this 2.5-hour winery tour that includes a wonderful tasting session of local wines, featuring the "Moscato di Trani" sweet dessert wine.
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