WASHINGTON 鈥� Wine lovers, pack your bags: It鈥檚 time for a trip to Bulgaria.
The Balkan nation that hugs Greece, Turkey and the Black Sea is one of Wine Enthusiast鈥檚 top-10 wine destinations for 2017, not to mention one of the hottest emerging wine regions.
Wine making is not new to Bulgaria聽— the country has been producing wine for thousands of years. But now, thanks to a growing infrastructure, others around the world are starting to enjoy it.
鈥淣ow you have better hotels, better restaurants — just more access to the region,鈥� said Susan Kostrzewa, executive editor of Wine Enthusiast. 聽
The exotic location is also ideal for adventure-seekers, food lovers and those traveling on a budget.
鈥淵ou can have dinner in a former Orthodox monastery, drink the wine and be in this incredible historic setting in a very affordable way,鈥� Kostrzewa said.
Wine tourism has exploded in recent years. In California alone, tourists spend more than 鈥� and that鈥檚 a number Kostrzewa expects will keep growing in the state and around the world.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something that has become more popular as wine has become more popular in America. People are starting to want to go to the places in which wine is made,鈥� she said.
Another unexpected pick for Wine Enthusiast鈥檚 top-10 list is London. Don鈥檛 expect to see vineyards mixed in with skyscrapers and royal residences: Kostrzewa says the city鈥檚 rich wine culture 鈥� from modern wine bars to old wine shops 鈥� is what earned it a spot on the list.
鈥淵ou can get everything in London; you can get American wines, all the great European wines of the world; you can get Australian, New Zealand — they鈥檙e just very sophisticated in their wine demands and choices,鈥� Kostrzewa said.
For those interested in Italian wines, the magazine鈥檚 editors recommend Sicily. The wineries are top-quality and the scenery is 鈥渄ramatic,鈥� with beaches and Europe鈥檚 tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, nearby.
鈥淚t鈥檚 become less remote in a way as people are spending more time in Italy and these wineries have become more sophisticated in hosting guests,鈥� Kostrzewa said.
Two U.S. locations are highlighted in the feature, including Calistoga, which Kostrzewa says has an 鈥渙ld West鈥� feel to it, and the welcoming town of Hood River, Oregon.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 know a lot about wine and you鈥檙e intimidated about going to a wine region and learning, this is a great place to go,鈥� Kostrzewa said about Hood River.
鈥淓verybody in these tasting rooms is very open and friendly and easy to talk to about wine.鈥�
Other picks for 2017 include Cafayate, Argentina; Canary Islands, Spain; Marlborough, New Zealand; Provence, France; and Rheingau, Germany. You can find the full list and tips on where to dine and sleep in these destinations on .
