![European Wine) Vacation](https://cdn.magzter.com/1461950688/1675176259/articles/rdC_zybGc1675315404936/EUROPEAN-WINE-VACATION.jpg)
There's a short list of comments I hear when I tell people I am a wine critic for Wine Spectator.
At No. 1 is probably, "How do I get that job?" delivered with an eyes-widened look of enthusiasm as the speaker imagines themselves surrounded by bottles of wine all day long. But not far behind that, another favorite question is: "I'm going to [insert country or wine region] on vacation this summer. Can you recommend a winery for me to visit?" That one always makes me laugh, as I consider the tens of thousands of wineries scattered across the different wine regions in each of the countries in Europe whose wines I cover for the magazine (France, Italy, Portugal and Spain).
But even if a serious wine lover plans to base part of their vacation in an European wine region in order to explore its wines and vineyards, it's not always enough. Many Americans expect that once in the region, they'll be able to winery hop from place to place, sidling up to a tasting bar or sitting at a table to taste while they enjoy a scenic view over the vineyards. That's the California tasting experience that American wine fans are familiar with, but it's not the prevailing model in Europe.
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 31, 2023-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![New Zealand's Success Story](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/fhF2R9kE21725454233158/NEW-ZEALANDS-SUCCESS-STORY.jpg)
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
![Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/bNgAfgoAD1725454072713/WINE-IS-HEALTHIEST-CHOICE-FOR-DRINKERS.jpg)
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
![In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/jj6M57hNe1725453580139/IN-PURSUIT-OF-THE-PERFECT-CRUST.jpg)
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
![SEAVEY VINEYARD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/bGoO4sdEM1725453374573/SEAVEY-VINEYARD.jpg)
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
![CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/W1voV3Nji1725453151377/CALIFORNIA-RHONES-SHOW-THEIR-RANGE.jpg)
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
![Tuscany Comes of Age](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/y_LzD2lfQ1725452659318/TUSCANY-COMES-OF-AGE.jpg)
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
![The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1814904/Aw63FoIv61725450436666/THE-ABSOLUTE-BEST-PLACES-TO-EAT-AND-DRINK-IN-AMERICA.jpg)
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
![Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1744787/mK92qb18o1720683188524/crp_wine-wine-spectator-cabernet-wine-tasting-New-Orleans-New-Orleans-Marriott-Jon-Batiste-New-Orleans-Jazz-Las-Vegas-wine-industry.jpg)
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
![Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1744787/bnZk3qduE1720682575283/crp_Williams-Selyem-Pinot-Noir-Daou-Gallo-Family-wine-wine-sells-US-wineWine-Spectator-winelabels-Constellation-brands-Meiomi-winery-Robert-Mondavi-winery-Sea-Smoke-Winerie-Chardonnay-vineyard-Santa-Barbara-County-Bob-Davids-California-wineries-California.jpg)
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
![Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13242/1744787/30JZIYK5-1720681622927/crp_Barzelay-California-Lazy-Bear-restaurants-restaurants-awards-foodie-California-wines-best-restastaurants-San-Francisco-Mission-District-restaurant-San-Francisco-restaurants-David-Barzelay.jpg)
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.