| Being that summer is finally here, it is time | | | | where the wine is stored before |
| to put away our gloves, hats and long | | | | transportation or for maturation (if it's a |
| underwear and embrace the sun shining on our | | | | red wine). Whether the winery has a tour |
| faces! And what better way to spend a lazy | | | | like this or not, all wineries will provide |
| summer day than by touring your local winery | | | | some form of wine tasting of their more |
| or vineyard? Many people assume that if you | | | | popular wines, whether they are red or white, |
| want to visit a winery you have to travel far | | | | sparkling or not. One of the staff from the |
| distances to the larger vineyards of the Napa | | | | winery will conduct the tasting and provide a |
| Valley, the Loire or the Hunter Valley. | | | | description of the wines grapes and history |
| Truth is, you don't have to travel very far | | | | before everyone takes a taste. There are of |
| at all to experience the wonder that is the | | | | course bowls to spit out the taste so as not |
| winery, all the while at the same time | | | | to destroy the palette for future tastings, |
| supporting and giving back to your local | | | | but half the fun of a tasting is actually |
| community! | | | | drinking the wine and not just "tasting" it! |
| | | | So not only is it fun, but also educational! |
| In saying that, sometimes people don't even | | | | |
| realize that there are wineries right around | | | | Once you've finished with your wine tasting |
| the corner from their own homes. If you live | | | | and are hopefully still standing on your two |
| in Florida, did you know that you have 10 | | | | feet, then you can wander round the shop at |
| wineries spread out all over the state? New | | | | the winery to maybe pick up a bottle or two |
| Yorkers looking to visit a winery can find 53 | | | | of a wine that you enjoyed during the |
| of them in the Seneca Lake area alone. There | | | | tasting, or maybe find something new to |
| are even wineries in places such as Ohio, | | | | experience. Whether you are a serious wine |
| Colorado and Hawaii. A quick search online | | | | collector or you simply enjoy a nice glass of |
| for the winery closest to you is the first | | | | wine with dinner occasionally, there is no |
| step in planning your perfect day trip or | | | | reason that you should not buy the best and |
| weekend away to a fantastic relaxing and fun | | | | enjoy the pleasures as if you had a winery in |
| winery trip! | | | | your very own home. |
| | | | |
| For those who have never been to a winery, it | | | | So support your local community and instead |
| is an experience unlike any you have ever had | | | | of only going to a winery when on vacation, |
| before. Walking on the grounds and seeing | | | | one day just pop down the road to your local |
| the rows of grapes on their vines is a truly | | | | winery and enjoy the splendour that they have |
| picturesque experience. Most wineries will | | | | on offer. You might be surprised at the |
| offer a tour upon your arrival that could | | | | quality of wine that can be found on your own |
| involve anything from seeing the wine | | | | doorstep! |
| production process to viewing the barrels | | | | |