From Istanbul to Bordeaux to Kobe, 10 places synonymous with a food or drink and what to do there apart from sampling their products
- Kobe beef, Parmesan cheese, Darjeeling tea – some foods and drinks are deeply connected to their city or region of origin, with certificates to prove it
- We have sightseeing tips for such food and drink capitals as Bordeaux and Cognac in France, the home of Pu’er tea, and an English town known for its pork pies
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is a European Union certification guaranteeing that the quality, characteristics and reputation of a food or drink are deeply connected to a geographical location.
This means, for example, that a winemaker in Portugal’s Douro Valley can insist that fortified wines from elsewhere in the world cannot be labelled and sold using the word “port”.
Here are 10 culinary items that are prepared, processed and produced in a particular place, along with some sightseeing suggestions for when you’ve finished all the tasting and testing.
1. Cognac
To learn some of the secrets involved in crafting the famed brandy, join a tour of a distillery such as Hennessy, Remy Martin or Courvoisier.
First, though, while you still have a clear head, stroll the medieval streets of Cognac’s old town and the English-style public gardens. Next, book a ride on a riverboat and glide along the Charente, through serene landscapes punctuated by verdant vineyards and pretty villages.
2. Bordeaux
