For those of you who want to go a step further than drinking wine at home (or at the office), wine region travel is a fast-growing segment in the tourism industry. One trip I heard about recently is called Cycling through the Wine Roads of the Andes, a 10-day excursion with a small group to the wine regions of Argentina and Chile. Starting in Buenos Aires, the bicycle tour begins with visits to barrios, fine restaurants and wine bars, then heads off to Mendoza to sample the region’s Malbecs. From there, the group travels through the Andes over the border into Chile for more dining and wine-tasting. Trip costs start at $4,599.. The package can also be arranged as a private tour for a group or a family. For more information, click here.

There’s another interesting wine travel option in Oregon that starts with a contest. Travel Oregon has launched a “Cuisinternship” (pronounced: quiz-een-turn-ship) contest, which will award seven people with the opportunity to shadow a notable Oregon culinary personality in a week-long cuisine-internship. For wine aficionados, the winner of the Vintner category will learn winemaking techniques from renowned winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash. Entries will be accepted through September 18 at www.TravelOregon.com/Bounty. Applicants need to submit a short video, along with a statement of 140 characters or less saying why they are the best candidate for their dream job.

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Last night I tasted an amazing artisan cheese from Wisconsin, but I’m going to hold off on my review of it until I try it with the wine for next Thursdays Wine and Cheese Pairing.