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Raise your glasses!
Which wine regions have you most enjoyed visiting? It is amazing how many wine-producing regions also happen to be very beautiful places, which makes it hard to narrow the list down. One of my real favourites, though, is Piedmont in north-west Italy. Piedmont is very much 'Tuscany without the crowds' and with even better wines! The Barolos are the most renowned, of course, but in recent years there have been wonderful improvements in 'lesser' wines produced here such as Dolcetto and Nebbiolo. And any tips for good producers in Piedmont? My top producer in Piedmont is Marcarini in the modest little village of La Morra close to Barolo, producing quite wonderful Dolcetto and Barbera. The 'Boschi di Berri' is made from ungrafted Dolcetto vines over 100 years old that survived, somehow, the destructive phylloxera beetle that wiped out most European vines in the 19th century.
To enhance the customer experience, I helped produce special notes for customers who visit our wine regions – whether walking, cycling, or just relaxing – explaining the different wines available, making suggestions for good producers to visit, the best years, and also tips about hotel wine lists. You don't always have to go to the expensive end of the list to find a wonderful wine, and so the advice is for all pockets! Which are the up and coming regions of Europe? I am very excited about some of the wines emerging from southern Italy, especially Basilicata, where we have a walking holiday. I have tasted some Aglianico del Vulture – a robust, earthy red with great structure from northern Basilicata. Spain, too, is producing increasingly good wines, and not just Rioja. More and more producers are moving away from bland, large yield wines to more interesting, carefully made wines that truly express the character of the region. Regions such as Ribera del Douro and Catalonia are making some exceptional wines right now. Plus, of course, they're fascinating regions to visit on holiday. What about Lambrusco? I can't say that I'm a huge fan, but my colleague Kay d'Souza, who knows Italy very well, claims that the 'real' Lambrusco produced in Emilia-Romagna, and which you can find on our walk in the Apennines, is the perfect accompaniment to Parmiggiano cheese. I'm hoping to visit the region soon, so will put her theory to the test. It's important to have an open mind with wine, and to remember that the stuff we usually buy in the UK might not be representative of the best of the region. Finally, if we can't wait until we go on holiday, can you recommend any UK retailers? I have bought many of my favourite wines over the years from Raeburn Fine Wines in Edinburgh. The owner, Zubair Mohammed, is a good friend of mine and he seems to be able to find wines of great personality, and good value, too. You can buy mail order, and his website is at: www.raeburnfinewines.com |
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Inntravel's former Finance Director, Michael Backhouse, is a keen traveller
who has visited many Inntravel hotels and regions over the years, and
is passionate about wine. We spoke to him about his favourite places,
his favourite wines, and his general thoughts about wine and holidays.
How did you bring your love of wine to benefit Inntravel customers?