Latest news with #wineries
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Red or white? Sweet or dry? Best wineries in the Springfield area, according to readers
When you think of a winery, does central Illinois come to mind? Readers voted for their favorite wineries in the area, and the results have been announced. Here are the top three wineries in the Springfield area as voted by readers in the 2024 Official Community Choice Awards. Location: 12341 Irish Road, New Berlin Phone: 217-488-6321 More: More: Illinois' newest winery opens in New Berlin Location: 23753 Lounsberry Road, Oakford Phone: 217-635-9900 More: Location: 14096 IL-97, Petersburg Phone: 217-632-6003 More: More: Looking for a taste of fall? Check out one of these Springfield-area breweries and wineries The Springfield Community's Choice Awards celebrates the best businesses and organizations in the Springfield area each year. The State Journal-Register readers vote at in more than 140 categories for their favorites from bakeries and barbecue joints to banks and barbershops. Nominations for the 2025 Community Choice Awards began June 2 and run through June 23. Readers will be able to vote for their Springfield favorites in August. Winners will be announced in November. Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@ This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Readers vote for best wineries around the Springfield area
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
14 Delicious Bourgogne (Burgundy) Wines From Five Different Regions
After recently visiting multiple producers and tasting 130 wines from the Bourgogne region in France, I selected the following 14 bottles from five of its wine producing sub-regions based on their overall quality and value. This renowned French wine region is now pressing to be called Bourgogne rather than its English translation of Burgundy (or Italian translation of Borgogna). The reasons are varied, including that most names of other French wine regions are not translated, and—intriguingly—that the color referred to as 'Burgundy' in English is called 'Bordeaux' in France and Italy. Bourgogne includes 84 distinct appellations, divided into Régional, Village (including Premier Cru) and Grand Cru distinctions, as well as over 1,800 climats—delineated vine plots with unique geological, exposure and hydrological characteristics that produce their own signature aromas/flavors. Prices for wines range widely within Bourgogne, and the region's overall cachet results in a small percentage of its wines commanding notably high prices (although Bourgogne produces 0.4% of the world's volume of wine, that accounts for 4% of global wine trade value). The selected wines below are listed from north to south, within the distinct sub-regions of Chablis & Grand Auxerrois, Côte de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Côte Chalonnais and Couchois, and Mâconnais. All wines listed below are made either from white Chardonnay or red Pinot Noir grapes (although a smaller quantity of often excellent wines are made in the Bourgogne using Aligoté, César, Gamay and other grapes). 'Value' is determined by my proprietary Vino Value algorithm that normalizes and combines subjective tasting scores with objective bottle prices (retail, at cellar door) to identify wines of good (♫), excellent (♫♫) and superlative (♫♫♫) value—providing optimal 'bang for the buck.' Note that prices are local in France, and will be higher in the U.S. due to various factors. Note also that these selected wines represent only a very small sample of many high quality wines of desirable value from Bourgogne. Porte Noël in the city of Chablis, Bourgogne, France Domaine des Malandes. Fourchaume. AOC Chablis 1er Cru. 2023. 93-94 points. €40.00/$45.60. Excellent Value ♫♫. From Amandine Marchive and Richard Rottiers, whose grandmother began making wines in the region 50 years ago. The family ages most wines in a 70/30 blend of steel tanks and 500 liter Burgundian medium toasted barrels with oak from the Vosges forest. This Chardonnay includes complex aromas of honey and layered tropicals from one of the warmest climats in Chablis. Slightly nutty flavors in a crunchy, enticing mouthful of caramel and slight green apples in this Chardonnay. 'Our goal is to harvest quickly,' Amandine explained. 'Otherwise if it is hot in August you can lose acidity; if it is rainy there is a threat of mildew. We harvest 30 hectares [75 acres] in eight days, hand picking for Premier and Grand Cru plots.' Amandine Marchive of Domaine des Malandes, Chablis, Bourgogne, France Domaine Verret. Chardonnay. AOC Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxuerre. 2023. 91-92 points. €12.00/$13.70. Good Value ♫. From an estate with 148 acres (60 hectares), this 12.5% Chardonnay is vinified 50/50 in steel and used oak barrels and includes aromas of herbs, green apples, myrtle and slight salinity. Chewy, oily mouth feel in this semi-complex wine with a finish that includes slight caramel and lemon/line flavors. Domaine Gabin et Félix Richoux. Veaupessiot. AOC Irancy. 2021. 92-93 points. €25/$28.50. Excellent Value ♫♫. Irancy is an outlier—a village and appellation producing only red wines within Chablis, which is renowned for its dominant white wines. The village includes 250 residents, of which 10 are winemakers. With vines located above the River Yonne, these second generation winemaker brothers grow Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and César—a rare grape with big clustered bunches. Most of their visitors come from Paris, which is only two hours away by train. This Pinot Noir from a cool year vintage aged two years in oak and includes classic Burgundian aromas, including black currants and black cherries as well as some flint and black pepper. Soft and silky tannins. Gabin Richoux of Domaine Richoux, Irancy, Chablis, Bourgogne, France Domaine Le Guellec-Ducouet. Clos Champ. AOC Gevrey-Chambertin. 2023. 96-97 points. €44.00/$50.20. Superlative Value ♫♫♫. This domaine is owned by two business partners—one a winemaker and the other with roots in banking. Michaël Le Guellec took control over vines controlled by his family since 1920, although previously leased out. They use no chemicals. 'We try to make wines fresh and fruity, which people like to drink soon,' Michaël explained. Wines are exported to Asia, Europe and the U.S. Vines that produced grapes for this 13.5% alcohol Pinot Noir wine were planted between 1933 and 1985. Classic Burgundian aromas, including black pepper and volatiles. Suave tannins in this powerful, hefty, structured beauty of a wine with spice rack and elegance on the finish. Compelling, classic and a bargain. Winemaker Michaël Le Guellec of Domaine Le Guellec-Ducouet in Brochon, Côte-de-Nuits, Bourgogne, France, Domaine des Beaumont. AOC Morey-Saint-Denis. 2022. 92-93 points. €43.00/$49.00. Excellent Value ♫♫. Brothers Tanguy and Exupèry, both in their 20's, are 8th generation producers for a family that owns a 13.5 acre (5.5 hectare) estate. The wine is produced from grapes from five different plots and includes edgy aromas of bacon, petrol and wild fennel. This is a dark and hardy Pinot Noir, reminiscent partially of a Colorino, with flavors that include black licorice and star anise. Firm tannic backbone. Pair with grilled beef. Keep going brothers— the results are well worth it! Brothers Tanguy (right) and Exupéry Beaumont, Domaine des Beaumont, Morey-Saint-Denis, Côte-de-Nuits, Bourgogne, France Domaine de Montmain. Les Jiromées Grande Tradition. AOC Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits. 2022. 92-93 points. €36.00/$41.10. Excellent Value ♫♫. This wine estate is located up a beautiful valley west of, and perpendicular to, the axis of the hills that form the Côte d'Or. All wines are aged in oak, usually 30% new. Thirty-five year old Mathieu Piedcourt, originally from Cahors, has turned the valley and winery into a popular destination for visitors and sells wines via a thousand member club as well as by direct sales and export. The story of Mathieu is too fantastic to share in this brief space. This Chardonnay spent two years aging in new oak barrels. Aromas are bright, powerful and succulent and include grapefruit, limes and white flowers. The juice is not filtered. 4,000 bottles produced. 'We love what we do and we love to share it with others. Last year we had 8,000 visitors. We receive you whether you buy wine or not. I love wines that are powerful but with finesse.' Mathieu Piedcourt of Domaine de Montmain, Villars-Fontaine, Haut-Côte-de-Nuits, Bourgogne, France Maison Louis Latour. Pinot Noir. AOC Bourgogne. 2022. 91-92 points. €20.70/$23.60. Good Value ♫. Louis Latour, a venerable estate that has been in business since 1797, produces not only wines from 119 acres (48 hectares), but owns a cooperage that produces some 3,000 barrels a year—and has done so for centuries. Except for those barrels used in house, all are exported internationally to countries that include Australia and Canada. This 13% alcohol Pinot Noir of solid value includes firm tension between acidity and fruit and is an easy drinking wine to start of a summer gathering. Consider pairing with a dish that includes fat to match its tannic backbone. Cellars with old bottles within Domaine Louis Latour, Beaune, Bourgogne, France Maison Shaps. Les Vaumuriens. AOC Pommard. 2022. 95+ points. €48.00/$54.70. Superlative Value ♫♫♫. Hanna Shaps has been managing this winery for her American father Michael who also produces wine in Virginia in the U.S. 'It's important to be a French-American producer and not an American-French producer,' Hanna explained. The maison is a negociant, and produce some 15 different cuveés and 20,000 bottles per year from four hectares (10 acres) the family owns. This Pinot Noir wine aged 15 months in 50% new oak. Includes sunny, bright, striking and elegant aromas that include sage and black pepper. A wine with heft and structure, shouldered tannins and flavors that include black peppers. A dark, edgy and textured Pinot Noir with sesame and soy on the finish. Hotel de Ville, Beaune, France Bernard et Florian Regnaudot. Clos des Loyéres. AOC Maranges 1er Cru. 2020. €18.00/$20.50. 95+ points. Superlative Value ♫♫♫. This domaine is named after the father/son, 3rd/4th generation winemakers. Florian spent time making wine in Winona, Minnesota in the U.S. The Maranges appellation will be the site for the January, 2026 Saint-Vincent Tournante weekend long festival of music, wine and food. From vines planted in 1931, this Pinot Noir wines includes aromas of blackcurrants, black pepper, tobacco and tar. This is a deep, dark, peppery and elegant wine at astonishing value. Gentle fruit and light, slick tannins. Florian Regnaudot of Domaine Bernard and Florian Regnaudot, Santenay, Côte de Beaune, Bourgogne, France Domaine de l'Evêché. Édition Limitée. Pinot Noir. AOC Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise. 2022. 92-93 points. €25.00/$28.50. Excellent Value ♫♫. Quentin Joussier, fourth generation winemaker, works with his father Vincent, who bought the winery in 1985. The name of the winery translates to 'the bishop.' This Pinot Noir ages in new barrels and is only produced on years when conditions are optimal. Deep, rich aromas of red cherries, raspberries and some Dutch dorp licorice as well as wild fennel. Well integrated and elegant tannins and easy drinking. Quentin Joussier of Domaine de l'Evêché, Saint-Denis-de-Vaux, Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgogne, France, Domaine Michel Juillot. Clos du Roi. AOP Mercurey Premier Cru. 2024. 93-94 points. €35.00/$40.00. Excellent Value ♫♫. Beautiful cheery, light, floral aromas in this Pinot Noir. Precise and focused flavors include red cherries. Winemaker Maxime Rolant said that, 'For me, Mercurey is cherries.' No disagreement with that. Maxime Rolant of Domaine Michel Juillot, Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgogne, France Domaine Montbarbon. En Pommetin. AOC Viré-Clessé. 2023. 92-93 points. €21.00/$24.00. Excellent Value ♫♫. From this estate, on a clear day you can look east and see Mont Blanc, tallest peak in continental Europe. They have 32 acres [13 hectares] of vines, exclusively Chardonnay. Jean-Jacques Féral was a journalist before becoming a winemaker, and won an award for his winemaking in the Mâconnais region in 2022. He works with Martin Froppier. The estate provides vine cuttings to a nursery in the Savoie, which creates massal (rather than clonal) replacement vines for them. This Chardonnay ages eight months in 500 liter oak barrels as well as six months in steel. Aromas of mandarins and menthol and slight salinity. A rich, creamy, delicious wine that includes precise flavors of tropical fruits and slight honey. Pair with chicken, or a caramelized apple tart (tarte tatin). Jean-Jacques Féral of Domaine Montbarbon, Virè, Mâconnais, Bourgogne, France Domaine Auvigue. Au Vignerais. AOP Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru. 2021. 94+ points. €34.00/$38.90. Superlative Value ♫♫♫. The winery is located in a beautifully renovated centuries old church. Sylvain Brenas explained their thinking. 'The idea is to show a different style of Chardonnay. We are in the extreme south of Mâconnais, only a few kilometers from where the Beaujolais appellation begins.' This Chardonnay aged 16 months in a 50/50 combination of steel and oak. Aromas of salinity, pineapple, mangos. Crisp and creamy mouthful with slight menthol and guavas on the finish. Pair with scallops and shallots. Sylvain Brenas of Domaines Auvigue, Fuissé, Máconnais, Bourgogne, France Domaine Corsin. L'Exception. AOP Pouilly-Fuissé. 94-95 points. €39.80/$45.50. Superlative Value ♫♫♫. This winery, founded in 1864, gathers grapes from 40 separate plots. The hosts, including Pauline Mussy and Tiphanie Fortune, are casual, down to earth, warm and unpretentious. Their welcoming tasting room inadvertently resembles an Alpine ski lodge. This Chardonnay is made by winemaker Jérémy Corsin using grapes from three different plots and 70 year old vines. It is barrel vinified and barrel aged. Flinty, slightly salty and classic Burgundian Chardonnay aromas. Rich and creamy mid palate with crisp acidity and rich tropical fruits. Winemaker Jérémy Corsin with a bottle of 1997 Domaine Corsin, Mâconnais, Bourgogne, France
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Texas enclave is rivalling Napa with beautiful remote homes and the best kept secret wineries in the country
A sleepy Hill Country town with more than 75 wineries has caught the attention of Americans from all over the country. Fredericksburg, Texas, has transformed into one of the state's most buzzed-about travel destinations for its wine production and stunning views of nature — and it's quickly become a rival to California's Napa Valley. The town, which has also been compared to Aspen due to its wealthy clientele and beautiful mountain views, was founded in 1846 by German immigrants as part of the German settlement of Texas. The town became known for its distinctive blend of Texas and German culture, with settlers maintaining their German traditions, language, and architecture while adapting to American culture. 'It's a quaint little town. You go there and you don't expect to get so much,' local realtor Cesar Amezcua told the Daily Mail. 'You have a Main Street that is full of high-end shops and great restaurants and wine tasting rooms. And now you're seeing five-star hotels being built. Full-on high-end luxury.' Fredericksburg began as a modest winemaking region, but is now a paradise filled with local attractions like Enchanted Rock and spas that source their organic products locally. 'We used to go to the same two wineries — now I don't even know how many there are,' said Amezcua. He says the wineries started popping up when land buyers realized the clay-like soil was ripe for growing grapes. 'The soil is fantastic. Beautiful reddish color. Very rich,' he added. The Hill Country's year-round hot climate also helps. The many wineries don't just offer tastings and events, they're also full experiences. 'They throw parties with live music,' Amezcua told the Daily Mail. 'Many are kid friendly. Some have full kitchens you can rent out. Now we have distilleries. We have breweries. You can just show up at noon and by 5pm you've done some real damage.' There's even an urban wine trail visitors can follow for a day of tastings. Many of the vineyards paired their own chef-prepared bites (like locally grown peaches) with the wines they produce. Getting around the area to winery hop is easy and fun. 'There's little limos that take you around. You see the pink limos for the bachelorette parties,' Amezcua said. 'Then there's bus tours that take you from winery to winery.' But Fredericksburg isn't just for wine lovers. There's something for every kind of visitor. For families, there's a small waterpark and there are kid friendly games at many of the wineries. 'Mommy and daddy can go in and have some wine while the kids are splashing around,' he added. The area is peppered with plenty of AirBnbs, tiny homes, and cabins for rent. 'There's places that have treehouses, beautiful, beautiful architecture out in the middle of nowhere,' he said. Amezcua says investors and even celebrities are taking notice of the area and all it has to offer. Peach Haus, which offers unique jams and jellies made from locally grown fresh fruits 'There's some high-powered families. A couple celebrities,' he said, hinting that Fredericksburg's proximity to Austin's star-studded scene is a draw. Sandra Bullock and Willie Nelson have been spotted in the area, he added, but the A-listers can go unnoticed in its 'laid-back atmosphere.' Beyond the wine and luxury, nature lovers will also find plenty to do, like climbing Enchanted Rock, a pink granite mountain located about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg. 'Enchanted Rock — if you're into that — it's incredible,' Amezcua said. 'We go once a year. My children love it. I go up there, I take a yoga mat and people make fun of me, but I just take a nap.' Downtown, there are endless adventures to be found. Fischer & Wieser's das Peach Haus, which offers unique jams and jellies made from fresh fruits picked in the region, is a popular spot for tourists. With a local spa, restaurant, and peaceful cottages to stay in, the Hill Country Herb Garden is a luxurious retreat for visitors. All 14 cottages have their own special themes and décor, along with a front porch with rocking chairs and a swing. For history buffs, Fredericksburg's National Museum of the Pacific War displays preserved documents and art from World War II in the Pacific. Visitors are invited to picnic in the town square, called Marktplatz, in celebration of the city's German history. In the middle of the town square is Vereins Kirche, a replica of a 19th-century German church that is brightly lit with holiday lights from November through December. Antique shops and stores with locally made goods line Main Street. Local Texans love to make daytrips for the town's Oktoberfest. Fredericksburg is only an hour-long drive from Austin and San Antonio and a four-hour drive from Dallas and Houston. 'It's a very nice weekend getaway,' said Amezcua. Pleasant temperatures and wildflower season make March, April and May a prime time to visit. Fredericksburg's well-known fall festivals, including the popular Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, make fall the perfect season to visit. 'There's a lot of tourism — that's their number one product,' Amezcua. 'That's where they thrive.'
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Forbes
Best Winery, Distillery, And Brewery Trips For Father's Day
This Father's Day, take Dad to breweries, distilleries, and wineries with unique tasting and touring experiences. Americans love their drinks and their drinking experiences, and while we have our pick of establishments across the U.S., there are some true standouts. This Father's Day, take Dad on a trip that features the best winery, brewery, and distillery experiences, all just a short drive or flight away. These are distinctive local experiences where tastings, tours, classes, and atmosphere go beyond the traditional and where Dad is sure to feel loved. Toast to Father's Day at Berryessa Gap's winery located in Winters, California. You only live once, so it's fitting to take dad to Yolo, California, where he'll see every step of the wine process, from root stock to pour. Berryessa Gap Vineyards began as a root stock company and grew into an award-winning winery. Then owner Corinne Martinez pursued and earned AVA designation for Winters Highland, where Berryessa grows its grapes. Dad will love the Root Stock Tour with co-owner Dan Martinez, followed by a tasting of five wines. Then stop at L'Apero Le Trois Aperitif, just across the street from the winery in downtown Winters, where Berryessa Gap wines are infused with seasonal fruit to create aperitifs for every taste. In Prosser, Washington, you'll find a cool concept known as Vintner's Village, a beautiful, walkable hamlet with about a dozen wineries, all just steps from one another. Wit Cellars, Bunnell Family Cellars at Wine O' Clock, and Coyote Canyon are just three, and each winery has something different to offer. Within the village, you'll also find shopping and dining, and it's easy to find shuttles and limos for the drive back to your hotel. For the dad who likes something a little unusual, consider a sake tasting at Sake One in Forest Grove, Oregon, just 30 minutes from Portland. Between the easy-to-understand tour and the highly knowledgeable servers, Dad will fully appreciate the nuances of sake versus grape-based wine. And Sake One's hand crafted product is delicious – it's made with Willamette Valley water and Sacramento Valley rice to create five unique brands: Naginata, Momokawa, g, Moonstone, and Yomi. You'll taste them all and likely buy a few bottles to enjoy at home. Barrel tasting is luxurious but unpretentious at Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is legendary, with 46 distillers spread across beautiful bluegrass countryside. Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville is a standout – their whiskey is made from 100% estate-grown corn, including their own Bloody Butcher corn that carries a deep, earthy flavor. Sign up for their barrel tasting experience – you'll be taken by bus to tobacco-style barns and taste bourbon from woodfired, charred oak barrels. Just 18 minutes away, Dad can have an entirely different tasting experience at a perennial favorite, Bulleit Distilling Company. Go all in for the private sensory tasting experience where you'll learn about the 'warm Kentucky hug' of their various bourbons, including their bottled in bond 2025 edition. Meet master distiller Jeff Arnett, well-known as Jack Daniels' former distiller, at Company Distilling in Townsend, Tennessee, just down the road from the Cades Cove entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Arnett will share generous pours with dad and personally educate him on all things whiskey. Choose your poison from six whiskeys, ryes, bourbons, gin, moonshine, and beer. And don't forget—you're in the Smokies, so hiking or at least a scenic drive (before drinking commences, of course) is a must. If Dad prefers a more tropical vibe, head to Outer Banks Distilling in Manteo, North Carolina, on the Outer Banks. Their home-crafted Kill Devil Rum made them famous, but they give Dad many reasons to check them out. Aside from the distillery tour, you'll be entertained at the bar, where artisanal cocktails showcase the liquors distilled on property. There's a good chance you'll cross paths with one of the four owners, former brewers and mixologists who love their jobs and encourage you to stay for hours, Jimmy Buffet style. Cycling through Houston as part of Tour de Brewery brings history, sightseeing, and excellent local craft beers. Is Dad active and a little adventurous? Then get him moving on a cycling brewery tour in Houston. Tour de Brewery offers two small group biking tours: the Suds and Stadiums route, which winds through downtown's sports arenas, and History and Hops, which visits greenspaces, murals, and some of the oldest buildings in Houston. Both offer quaffing stops at popular Texas breweries like Gristworkz, Equal Parts Brewing Company, and 8th Wonder Brewing. In an historical church in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, you'll find Topsy Turvy Brewery, where Dad can learn all about this neck of the woods. All the beers are named after Wisconsin inventions, tourist attractions, or historical places, and if Dad is traveling with a non-beer drinker, there's a wine and cocktail list as well. The interior of this brewery is stunning and eclectic—picture a tear-shaped, multi-colored stained-glass window flanked by stainless steel barrels and fronted by a stacked wood, Jenga-looking bar. More stained-glass windows fill the brewery, and the outdoor beer garden is the perfect place to people watch. Topsy Turvy is in the center of downtown Lake Geneva, so the entire family can make a vacation out of the visit. As Asheville, North Carolina, continues to rebuild after Hurricane Helene, it's a great time to visit and spend some tourist dollars to help with recovery. Mills River Brewing Company offers five custom tours, depending on your interests. Beer Geek is 3 hours of in-depth exploration into the brewing process. Trip in the Woods takes a different approach with a 1.5 mile hike around the farm property—where sustainability is the focus—and into the brewhouse. The simple Brewhouse Tour is just 25 mins and covers the basics. Whichever you choose, don't miss the chance to grab your favorite brewski and sit by the French Broad River, enjoying life and being thankful for Father's Day. MORE FROM FORBES
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Spain's quiet and uncrowded hidden gems that still want tourists
Spain might be one of the UK's favourite summer holiday destinations, but protests against tourists in leading hotspots such as Barcelona and Majorca have left some Brits put off. But while more than 18 million British tourists visited Spain in 2024, there are a few regions that fall outside the limelight. So, where are Brits unlikely to run into other tourists in 2025? La Rioja According to Spain's National Institute of Statistics (INE), La Rioja was the country's least visited region in 2024. The gorgeous destination, known for its wine production, welcomed just 123,123 visitors last year. La Rioja is an inland region in northern Spain and deserves far more attention than it tends to get. Lonely Planet reveals: 'Wine goes well with the region's ochre earth and vast blue skies, which seem far more Mediterranean than the Basque greens further north. 'This diverse region offers more than just the pleasures of the grape, though, and a few days here can see you mixing it up in lively towns and quiet pilgrim churches, and even hunting for the remains of giant reptiles.' Head to the Museo de la Rioja, a history museum located in an 18th-century baroque building, to find out more about the region's past. And of course, make sure to visit one of the region's more than 500 wineries to sample one of it's world-renowned reds. El Hierro and La Gomera While the Canary Islands are one of Spain's busiest destinations, a couple of the islands get much less attention. According to Statista, both La Gomera and El Hierro received just 69,000 visitors in 2022. And Marek Bron, travel expert at the Indie Traveller, told MailOnline Travel that La Gomera is the most underrated of the Canary Islands. He said: 'It has these very lush forests that feel like rainforests and they're amazing for hiking.' Meanwhile El Hierro is the smallest Canary Island with far fewer crowds than popular spots like Tenerife and Lanzarote. Tourists can visit the pretty hidden gem by taking a ferry or plane from Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Marina Lucense According to statistics from the INE and Turespana, Mariña Lucense is the Spanish stretch of coast that's the least visited. The breathtaking region is located on Spain's northern Galician coast where some of the country's least well-known beaches are. While the weather can't be guaranteed to be sunny, the beaches in Marina Lucense are much quieter than in the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. Visit Spain explains: 'The Marina Lucense has around 100km of coastline where you'll find old whaling ports and a variety of landscapes.' One of the region's most spectacular beaches is As Catedrais, or the Cathedrals. The 1.5km long beach earned its name from the Gothic-looking rock towers and arches on its sands. Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park Of Spain's 16 national parks, the Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park is the country's least visited according to INE statistics. Just an hour's boat ride from Majorca, the archipelago will 'definitely surprise you', says Spain's tourism board. It says: 'This oasis has one of the best-preserved examples of marine life in the whole of the Mediterranean Sea. 'Its almost untouched sea shore hosts a wealth of species native to the Balearic Islands.' The national park can be enjoyed on a boat trip and is home to more than 400 botanical species and 200 fish species.
