European Wine Exploration Map (Source Summary)
Legend
An article by Madeline Puckette of Wine Folly presenting 35 classic wines of Western Europe. The 35 wines "represent just a tiny fraction of the diversity in European wine, but they also serve to give you a great overview of the major regions" — mixing the greats (such as Champagne and Tokaji) with Europe's everyday drinking wines (from Montepulciano to Muscadet) (source: European Wine Exploration Map _ Wine Folly.pdf).
For this trip, the directly relevant entries are Champagne, Alsatian Pinot Gris (see Alsace Grape Varieties), German Riesling (the Mosel Valley), Burgundy (Bourgogne) and Beaujolais. The rest are a reference shelf for future European wine travel.
Sparkling wine
1. English Sparkling Wine — England's award-winning take on one of the most challenging wines to make. 2. Cava — Spain's answer to Champagne, from Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel·lo. 3. Champagne — "lithe, startlingly acidic, and somewhat earthy on the nose (think mushrooms and Parmesan cheese)." 4. Prosecco — fine-wine bubbles still easily found under $20.
White wine
1. Vinho Verde — Northern Portugal's zesty, melony whites and tart, lean rosé. 2. Albariño — crisp apple, lime zest and pineapple at the end of the Camino de Santiago. 3. Muscadet — lean, dry and salty; "the anti-fruit wine, and proudly so." 4. Loire Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé) — Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, the world's benchmark Sauvignon Blanc. 5. Moscato d'Asti — delicately sparkly, perfectly sweet; "drinking perfume." 6. Pinot Grigio (Italy) — the Italian benchmark, from Alto Adige or Friuli-Venezia Giulia. 7. Alsatian Pinot Gris — the peachy, off-dry French style "in a league of its own" (see Alsace Grape Varieties). 8. German Riesling — Mosel lime-and-slate vs. lusher Rheingau/Rheinhessen stone fruit. 9. Grüner Veltliner — Austria's top variety; the Wachau is world-renowned. 10. Tokaji / Furmint — Furmint from Tokaj, Hungary; historic sweet wines, now also fine dry whites. 11. Assyrtiko — Santorini's basket-trained vines; "Greece's most important fine wine in coming years."
Rosé wine
1. Rosé, Rosado & Rosato — Rosé, Rosado and Rosato: three countries (France, Spain, Italy), three takes on pink wine.
Red wine
1. Monastrell — Spain's deep, dark Mourvèdre from Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas. 2. Ribera del Duero — dense, tannic Tempranillo from "10 months of winter and 2 months of hell." 3. Rioja — Spain's most famous Tempranillo region; elegant, with a strict aging classification. 4. Bordeaux — the homeland of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 5. Rhône Valley (Rhône Blends) — the Rhône blend; the place to start tasting French reds. 6. Beaujolais — Gamay; "the classic everyday wine of France." 7. Burgundy (Bourgogne) — the most expensive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world. 8. Nebbiolo & Barbera (Piedmont) — Piedmont's two stories: juicy Barbera and tannic, perfumed Nebbiolo. 9. Valpolicella — Verona's cherries-chocolate-herbs reds, home of Amarone. 10. Chianti — the most iconic wine of Sangiovese, Italy's most important grape. 11. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo — "perhaps Italy's most underrated red wine." 12. Primitivo — Italy's Zinfandel, grown in Puglia. 13. Cannonau — Sardinia's leathery, strawberry-tinged Grenache; "the perfect pizza wine." 14. Nero d'Avola — Sicily's major red grape, with a likeness to fine Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dessert wine
1. Port — the world's first demarcated fortified wine, from Portugal's Douro Valley. 2. Sherry — mostly dry at the high end, "more akin to fine whiskey." 3. Marsala — great Marsala is more smoky than sweet, and affordable.