TOP 5 DRINKING DESTINATIONS TO EXPLORE IN 2022

Rojita Tiwari February 26, 2022

Traveling is all about experiences. Most of which revolve around wining and dining in exotic locales while exploring exciting new destinations. If you take your tipple seriously, are curious about the country of origin of that Cabernet Sauvignon in your glass, if you find the historical ties between drinks to certain countries fascinating, and scouting for places to visit in 2022, then this can come in handy.  JAPAN Japan is so much more than cherry blossoms in April and the white mountains in January. The country, the culture, and its food supersede Japan’s influence as a producer of some of the finest beverages such as sake, shochu, awamori, beer, and Japanese whiskies.  Japanese food is an art form that can be discovered even in a roadside restaurant in Tokyo. The rich food and drink culture is experienced in Izakaya, Ryokan, and Ryotei. From beer museums to sake breweries, whisky distilleries to wineries, Japan has so much to offer to a thirsty traveler. While enjoying sushi or dining at a traditional Ryotei or having a regular meal at a Yatai food stall you can enjoy sake from a local brewery in Niigata or sip on some delicious shochu in Kagoshima. Or take a train ride to the Hakushu distillery in the outskirts of Tokyo to gain an insight into the world of one of the finest Japanese whiskies.

IRELAND  If your bucket list involves an adventurous whisky trail, then Ireland is the perfect place. The Irish whiskey industry might be smaller than its Scottish counterpart, but it’s nowhere less exciting. Some of the best whiskey trails and distillery tours organized here can offer you the experience of a lifetime. The island country has 60 distilleries, most of which are operational and fully open to curating bespoke itineraries involving guided tastings to authentic experiences suitable for regular travelers as well as whisky connoisseurs. 

MEXICO The magic and mystery of Mexico are beyond Aztec ruins and Frida Kahlo. It is also the country that produces some of the best artisanal spirits in the world. Drinks such as Tequila, Mezcal, Raicilla, Sotol, Bacanora, and Pulque are traditional drinks with a deep-rooted connection to the culture of Mexico.  The best way to discover Mexico is not just to add Cancun, Mayan Riviera, and Puerto Vallarta to the itinerary, but also to explore Oaxaca (for Mezcal) and Jalisco (for tequila). From vineyards in Northern Mexico to artisanal Mezcal distilleries in the South (Oaxaca), the country has so much to offer to satiate the curiosity of offbeat travelers.

   ITALY  Italy is a wine lover’s paradise. From the crisp and delightful white wines and Prosecco from the Northern region, the classic Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano in Tuscany at the center and volcanic wines from Sicily in the south, Italy as an old-world wine-producing region have a wine for every kind of wine lover.  Next time you think of visiting Italy keep the wine map ready to experience some of the best vino tourism experiences in Tuscany, Veneto region, Catania, or near Palermo city in Sicily that provides the most authentic, tailored, guided tastings, visits as well as stay options.

SOUTH KOREA   Did you know that the growing popularity of Korean culture through K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty is directly proportional to the sales of the world’s best-selling spirits brand Jinro soju? Well, that may not be the truth, but if every time you took a sip of soju when you saw a bottle of soju in any of the Korean dramas or saw someone eating kimchi, this might come true. Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, Jeju Island, Daegu, the breathtaking beauty of these South Korean cities are attracting many international tourists. However, more than just the locations, it’s the friendly culture of the country that offers the traveler to ‘imagine your Korea’ by allowing you to become a character in the kingdom during a palace tour or help you look for your favorite k-pop star during the Gangnam k-pop tour. You can also explore the world of soju through tours to traditional soju distilleries, learn the distillation process with a soju master, learn the history and culture of the drink, pair Korean food with soju, and learn how to make interesting soju cocktails. 

(Rojita Tiwari is an acclaimed beverage writer, educator & consultant. She is the Founder of Drinks & Destinations and a certified jury member of several international wine and spirits competitions. She can be reached at drinksanddestinations@gmail.com)

Rojita Tiwari

Founder & Director

Drinks & Destinations

Wines, Spirits & Cigars Committee

Mumbai Chapter

Rojita is an award-winning wine & spirits writer, educator, consultant, and a certified juror at International drinks competitions. She is the Founder of Drinks & Destinations, a company specializing in wine & spirits, travel & lifestyle content, consultancy & curated events. She hosts India’s 1st drinks and travel podcast called The Drinks & Destinations Podcast. She is the former Brand Ambassador of JXB Baijiu and has also been listed twice as the Top 10 Women in Wine in India. Rojita is a Senior Specialist on the panel of International Drinks Specialists, UK.

View Microsite

Want to connect ?

2022 culture drinks food travelling whiskey wines

TOP 5 DRINKING DESTINATIONS TO EXPLORE IN 2022

Rojita Tiwari

Founder & Director

Wines, Spirits & Cigars Committee

Mumbai Chapter

You May Also Like

Story Coach & Chief Community Builder | Bloggers Alliance | Delhi

Owner | Koncept Marketing Consultants | Mumbai

Consultant to FinTech Companies | HELM Group LLC | New York

Consultant Pulmonologist | Wockhardt Hospitals Ltd. | Mumbai

Founder & CEO | Crossing The Travel Company | London

Committee Member | American Society of Clinical Oncology | Indore

Founder & Chief Career Designer | lifeFest Enterprise Pvt.Ltd | Delhi

Ex-Chief Marketing Officer | OpenTap | Chennai

Director | Mudra Co-Op Credit Society Ltd. | Pune

Partner | Swapnanjali Jewellery Studio | Pune

Director | Ex. Governor Of Rotary, Kinetic Group | Pune

Head Biodiversity, Corporate Sustainability | Tata Steel | Kolkata

Founder & Director | Aakarshan Gems And Jewellery | Indore

Founder & CEO | Virtual Information and Communications | Kolkata

Founder & CEO | DviO Digital | Pune

Director | Mudra Co-Op Credit Society Ltd. | Pune

Social Entrepreneur | Swayam | Indore

Founder & CEO | Emorphis Technologies | Indore

CEO | Softhread | New York

Head Of SCM | Sheenlac Paints Limited | Bengaluru

Founder | Wine Sapiens | Global

Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur | Chroma International | Ahmedabad

Member of the Board [NED] | Decomplex MG | London

Owner | Paragon Consulting | Dubai

Founder & CEO | Great Discount Place | Pune

Contemporary Visual Artist | Shan Re | Bengaluru

Ex-Chief Marketing Officer | OpenTap | Chennai

Founder & CEO | Malt & Salt Hospitality | Dubai

CEO | Al Huzaifa Furniture | Dubai

APS Strategic Programs Leader, EMEA & APAC | Avaya | Dubai

Chief People Officer | BoardRoom Group | Singapore

Founder & CEO | Chezuba | Hyderabad

Asia Datacenter Sustainability Policy Lead | Microsoft | Singapore

General Manager - TA | Vodafone | Pune

Founder | Let's Recycle - NEPRA Resource Management Pvt. Ltd. | Ahmedabad

Co-Founder | Arrka | Mumbai

Founder & Director | Drinks & Destinations | Mumbai

Founder & CEO | Chezuba | Hyderabad

Founder & Director | Alice People Solutions | Global

Founder | Minerva Engagement | London

Owner | Paragon Consulting | Dubai

Co-Founder and Creative Director | Wikka | Delhi

Founder | Significant Connection | Dubai

Co-Founder, Director & CEO | Great Place to Work Institute (India), Great Manager Institute (GMI) | Mumbai

Global CEO, Founder | Dr. Devnani & Associates | Hong Kong

Commercial Director- Apac | Ge Renewable Energy | Kolkata

Founder | Happiness Pattern | Dubai

Founder | Happiness Technology | Bengaluru

Founder & Chief Happiness Officer | Hope & Happiness | Bengaluru

Lead Innovation Coach | SAP Innovate to Win | Dubai

Partner | ALMT Legal | Bengaluru

Senior VP Sales (South & Central Asia) | IDS Softwares Pvt. Ltd. | Delhi

Sales & Marketing Director, Connoisseurs Department | Brave New Spirits Ltd | London

Founder & Chief Mindset Coach | The MindsetFit Method (Melbourne, Australia) | Global

Chief People Officer | Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok | Bangkok

President | Healthy Living and Longevity Medical Center | Global

Co-Founder | Creative Movement Therapy Association of India | Delhi

Founder & Director | Creative Arts | Kolkata

Founder | SHARAN | Chennai

Founder | Onyi Anyado Media House | London

Founder & CEO | iConsult India | Ahmedabad

Mindset Transformation Coach | Anjali Ahuja | Delhi