Yeongwol Yemil Wine Village isn’t the most popular destination in South Korea, but it is certainly making itself known in the wine-lovers community!
Yemil Wine Village, a tiny, modest haven for wine lovers, is situated within Mount Manggyongdae Valley. This place is a hidden gem and is brimming with captivating wine aromas just waiting to be discovered by the world. It officially goes by the name of Yemil 2-ri and has Yemil 1-ri, well known as the “grape village,” as its neighbor.
Come, let’s explore the village’s specifics and get a little more familiar with it.
History of Yemil
Yemil, which in Korean means “full of politeness,” wasn’t originally known as a wine village. It was highly recognized for supplying wonderful grapes before the Agricultural Corporation in 2009. After that, the area flourished, and in 2011 a legitimate winery was constructed. By 2015, it had become a well-known wine destination.
The pandemic outbreak caused the village to suffer considerably, but thanks to word-of-mouth, it has survived and is gradually growing to become one of the most well-liked tourist sites in South Korea.
What makes the Yemil Village Wines So Special?
There are many reasons why Yeongwol Yemil Wine Village produces some of the most exquisite wines.
Rich Soil
The fact that the grapes are grown with great care is one of the key factors contributing to wines being so smooth and delightful. The wines are created in calcareous soil. This soil is rich in calcium. So, when the roots penetrate deep, they get an abundance of nutrients and minerals, thereby producing grapes of high value.
Temperature
The village, being situated amidst the mountains, does experience drastic highs and lows in weather. For instance, when the sun is up, the temperature is quite high, but as soon as it sets, rough winds blow and mellow down the temperature by many degrees.
Fortunately, whatever be the weather, it seems to suit the cultivation of the grapes. This is because, over the past couple of years, grapes have developed a higher content of sugar.
When the raw ingredient is itself so tasty naturally, the wines are bound to taste amazing.
Technique
The people of the Yeongwol Yemil Wine Village cultivate the grapes very strategically. To be specific, a lot of science goes into making the production process perfect. And the total process takes more than a year.
The production of the grapes is the first step in the process, which continues with their fermentation and maturation. This entire thing happens in the Yemil village.
During off-seasons, around 10-65 families labor meticulously to grow the grapes, but when there is high demand, several other villagers come to lend a helping hand and try to contribute in their own way- be it by harvesting, picking small fruits, or taking care of side shoots etc.
Different Types of Wine To Try from the Yeongwol Yemil Wine Village
The flavors of the wines produced by Yemil wine village are unique and have a fruity aroma. In fact, the village won numerous competitions held by the Rural Development Administration of Korea due to how wonderful the wines taste.
Great for everyone, there are quite a large variety of Yemil wines for people to enjoy. Mostly there are four types, namely “Sweet,” “Rose,” “Dry,” and “Cheonghyang.” The first 3 are red wine varieties, while the last is the only white wine kind they produce as of today.
You may be wondering about the availability of the wines, given the huge demand they have. Fortunately, the village can employ about 2000t of grapes annually to make wines, which results in a staggering 20,000 bottles.
The hard work and unity of the villages have led to the growth of the village over the past couple of years. However, only 10% of Yemil’s grapes are converted to wine. The hope is that with more assistance and recognition, this village’s wine output will increase.
Other Activities to Consider During Your Visit to Yemil Wine Village
Along with savoring the flavorful wines, you can participate in wine experience programs and other entertaining pastimes to enrich your stay at Yemil Wine Village.
- Take a foot bath in wine. The center is a recent addition to continue welcoming more tourists. We guarantee you a great relaxing and fun time there. So, do not miss it.
- Create your own memories during seasonal grape picking.
- Take part in the wine-dyeing event. Locals in the area arrange this and cordially invite everyone to participate.
- Other fascinating activities include making wine muffins, ice creams, even wine soaps etc.
Conclusion
Yemil wine village is a rapidly expanding area. The blend of the villagers’ devotion and the high-quality grape used as a raw material has produced some wonderful wines. The flavors are real, authentic, and have the power to make people happy. In the coming years, we hope that the village grows to create more exquisite wines.
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