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A FIELD GUIDE TO WINE

Discover wine.
Explore the land behind it.

Even with the same variety, what changes with the terroir and production?
Learn about world wine regions, from overview to differences in vineyards and winemaking.

CHOOSE A COUNTRY

Choose a country to explore.

ITALIA

Italy

Mountains and sea, indigenous varieties, sun-drying, and the differences between regions and producers.

Learn about Italy →
ITALIA20 REGIONI · 5 AREE
MAR TIRRENOMAR ADRIATICOMAR IONIOValle d'Aosta — As you go from upstream to downstream in the valley, elevation and main grape varieties change.01Piedmont — From Langhe Nebbiolo to other hillsides within the region.02Liguria — A region of both coastal terraced vineyards and inland reds, shaped by seas and mountains.03Lombardy — The mountain reds of Valtellina, and sparkling wines south of the lakes.04Trentino-Alto Adige — Vineyards spread from the valley floor up to the higher slopes across two areas.05Veneto — Appassimento reds, Soave whites, and the hill-grown Prosecco.06Friuli-Venezia Giulia — Learn about white grape varieties and winemaking differences on borderland hills and plains.07Emilia-Romagna — Lambrusco in the west, Sangiovese and Albana in the east.08Tuscany — Known for the inland hills of Sangiovese and the coast, also noted for international varieties.09Umbria — The reds of Montefalco and the whites of Orvieto, which cross the border of the region.10Marche — Comparing Verdicchio-producing areas: Jesi and Matelica.11Lazio — Whites around Rome and Cesanese reds inland.12Abruzzo — From the Adriatic Sea to the high mountains: Red and rosé from Montepulciano.13Molise — Among the varieties shared with neighboring regions is the name Tintilia.14Campania — On the hillsides of Irpinia, Aglianico reds and Fiano whites.15Puglia — From the north to Salento: tracking the distribution of black grape varieties and the elevation of the plateaus.16Basilicata — The Aglianico of Vulture and vineyards extending beyond the area.17Calabria — From Cirò on the Ionian Sea side to inland vineyard areas.18Sicily — Winemaking differs among Etna’s slopes, Vittoria, and Marsala.19Sardinia — Gallura and the entire island. Even with the same variety, the appellation coverage differs.20N
From the number, learn about the state.↗

ESPAÑA

Spain

The Atlantic, high inland plateaus, Tempranillo, and the methods for Cava and Sherry.

Learn about Spain →
Map of Major Winegrowing Regions in Spain
This is a simplified diagram indicating the peninsula area. Outlines of the Canary and Balearic Islands are omitted. Numbers represent representative locations and do not indicate appellation boundaries or area. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Portugal

Portugal

From indigenous varieties to the Atlantic, Douro vineyards, and the maturation of Port and Madeira.

Learn about Portugal →
Map of Portugal's Major Wine Regions
This is the location map of the mainland. Madeira and the Azores are outside the scope of this map. Madeira can be studied in a detailed article. Outline: Natural Earth 1:110m. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not show the exact area of appellations. Numbers for adjoining locations are shifted and connected with lines.

Germany

Germany

13 production regions, Riesling, then move to distinctions of origin and sugar content/sweet-dry styles.

Learn about Germany →
Location map of key German wine regions
Representative locations of 7 principal production areas are shown. The overall picture of all 13 regions can be studied in the first article. Outline: Natural Earth 1:110m. Numbers show representative locations and do not indicate appellation areas. For nearby sites, numbers are shifted and connected with lines.

Austria

Austria

The Danube and eastern regions, DAC, field blends, cofermentation, and Sekt production.

Learn about Austria →
Location map of Austria’s key regions
This map indicates the locations of five representative sites. These are not DAC boundaries. Contours: Natural Earth 1:110m. The numbers show representative points; they do not indicate the area or zone of the appellation. Numbers for nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Hungary

Hungary

From Tokaj to red wine regions, Furmint, botrytis and blend differences.

Learn about Hungary →
Map of Hungary’s principal wine regions
This is a location map of 6 principal sites. The point for Balaton indicates the northern shore and does not represent the entire region or the location of Somló. Outline: Natural Earth 1:110m. Numbers show representative locations and do not indicate appellation areas. For nearby sites, numbers are shifted and connected with lines.

Greece

Greece

From islands and the mainland to Assyrtiko and Xinomavro, and differences in region and winemaking.

Study Greece →
Map showing the locations of Greece’s representative wine regions
This is a location map of 7 principal sites, not appellation boundaries. The outline of the islands from Natural Earth 1:10m has been simplified for display. Numbers show representative locations and do not indicate appellation areas. For nearby sites, numbers are shifted and connected with lines.

Switzerland

Switzerland

Lakes and the Alps, Chasselas, and regional and origin indications by canton.

Learn about Switzerland →
Location map of Switzerland’s key wine regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

United States

United States

From the Pacific coast to the inland and east. Learn the differences by AVA, varieties, vineyard, and winemaking.

Explore US wine →
Map of key wine regions in the United States
This map shows the location of the contiguous 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. The dots mark representative locations of major wine regions, not AVA boundaries. This is a simplified version of Natural Earth 1:10m. The numbers represent representative locations and do not indicate the area or boundaries of appellations. For nearby points, the numbers have been shifted and connected by lines.

Australia

Australia

Region, GI, Shiraz, differences created by sea and elevation, and production styles by region.

Learn about Australia →
Location map of key Australian regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

New Zealand

New Zealand

Northern and southern islands: from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to vineyard differences.

Learn about New Zealand →
Map showing the leading wine regions of New Zealand
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Chile

Chile

To the differences shaped by the Pacific, Andes, Carménère, valleys and vineyard locations.

Learn about Chile →
Map of Representative Chilean Wine Regions
This is the main map of continental Chile. Islands are omitted. Boundaries do not indicate appellation borders. The Natural Earth 1:10m outline is simplified for display purposes. Numbers mark representative locations and do not indicate the area or zone of each appellation. Closely spaced sites are offset and connected with lines.

Argentina

Argentina

High elevations of the Andes, Malbec and Torrontés, moving on to differences in altitude and winemaking.

Learn about Argentina →
Major regions of Argentina
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

South Africa

South Africa

From the sea and mountains, to Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, to the role of WOs and producers.

Study South Africa →
Map of Key Wine Regions in South Africa
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Canada

Canada

From lakes and cool-climate regions, move to VQA and icewine harvest and winemaking.

Study Canada →
Map of Canada's representative regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Romania

Romania

From mountain and plains, to Feteasca, appellations and the winemaking styles of each region.

Learn about Romania →
Location map of Romania’s major wine regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria

Inland and Black Sea side, Mavrud, and how to read regions and designation of origin.

Study Bulgaria →
Map of Major Bulgarian Wine Regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Moldova

Moldova

From Codru to the south. Study indigenous varieties, origins labeling, and blending.

Study Moldova →
Map of Moldova's Principal Regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Georgia

Georgia

From the east and west regions to Saperavi and Rkatsiteli, qvevri, and differences in appellations.

Study Georgia →
Map of major wine regions in Georgia
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Slovenia

Slovenia

Three regions, nine districts, 'lebra', and co-fermentation and winemaking involving skins.

Study Slovenia →
Location map of Slovenia’s principal regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Croatia

Croatia

Inland and the Adriatic, Graševina and Plavac Mali, focus on vineyards and maturation.

Learn about Croatia →
Map of Croatia’s representative regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

From vineyards along the Moselle River to white varieties, Crémant, and the production of sweet wines.

Learn about Luxembourg →
Map of representative regions of Luxembourg
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

England and Wales: cool-climate vineyards, PDO and traditional method sparkling.

Learn about the UK →
Location map of representative UK regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Uruguay

Uruguay

Compare the South and the Atlantic regions, Tannat and Albariño, differences in fermentation vessels and maturation.

Learn about Uruguay →
Map showing the main wine regions of Uruguay
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

Japan

Japan

From major regions and GIs to Koshu and Muscat Bailey A, lees aging, and viticultural responses to rain.

Study Japan →
Map of major Japanese wine regions
This is a location map showing representative points for major regions. It does not indicate appellation boundaries. The Natural Earth 1:10m outlines are simplified for display. The numbers indicate representative positions and do not reflect the area or boundaries of appellations. Nearby points are offset and connected by lines.

LEARN BY GRAPE

Reasons why different wines are made from the same variety.

From the characteristics of grape varieties, progress to comparing vineyard, barrel, lees, and sparkling wine-making. Read articles focused on the varieties, and confirm your understanding through practical exercises using reference materials.

Learn from grape varieties →

LEARN BY PRODUCER

Read the different choices of the same producer.

Annual blend, vineyard plots, barrel usage, harvest decisions. Compare official materials from producers to connect regional and grape knowledge to specific wines.

Learn from producers →

THEMATIC COURSES

Compare vineyards, blending, and maturation across countries.

Compare the same variety in different regions or align steps of maturation. Read the articles and materials, and explain in your own words the reasons behind the differences.

To thematic courses →
COMPARE WHAT CHANGES

Unify varieties, then compare the land.
Align the methods to compare winemaking.

ACROSS BORDERS

Look for similarities and differences across countries.

Compare across countries →
Portugal × Spain

Port × Dry Sherry

Even with the same fortification, the timing and purpose of the addition differ.

Open the comparison table and questions
Germany × Canada

Germany × Canada: Naturally frozen sweet wines

Even if the concentration method is the same, regional criteria must be considered individually.

Open the comparison table and questions
New Zealand × Chile

Central Otago × Leyda

Inland New Zealand and coastal Chile: comparing the causes of coolness.

Open the comparison table and questions
Georgia × Slovenia

Qvevri × Skin contact of Rebula

Read about traditional Georgian methods and an example from a Slovenian producer.

Open the comparison table and questions
Japan × Uruguay

Koshu × Albariño: Time with the Lees

Japanese and Uruguayan whites. Read the winemaking procedures across grape varieties.

Open the comparison table and questions
Australia × South Africa

Rutherglen × Vin de Constance

Australia and South Africa: separate the processes that retain sweetness and the maturation stage.

Open the comparison table and questions

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Continue from the article you wish to read.

You can search articles by country, and record Completed and Read later in the same Study notebook.

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