Red, white, or rose, wine is the classic pairing with dinner and a great companion for a night on the town. For true wine connoisseurs, traveling the globe to the best wine regions is a must. Here are some of the top locations for wine around the world.
Whites, red, and everything in-between are the drink of choice for many people around the world.
In fact, in the United States alone we consume a little over 4.2 billion bottles of wine every year.
Whether you’re a casual fan or consider yourself a connoisseur of sorts, do yourself a favor and check out these locations to experience the best of wine around the world.
1. Mendoza, Argentina
If you’re a fan of the dark and fruity flavors that a glass of Malbec has to offer, then a stop in Mendoza on your tour of wine around the world is a must.
When you think of wine, Argentina may not be one of the first places to pop into your mind, but that should change!
Located at the base of the Andes Mountains, the climate and location of Mendoza make for an ideal the production of wine. The area alone produces well over half of the country’s wine and has roughly 165,000 acres of vineyards.
A Malbec isn’t the only thing you can get from this area, either. Mendoza produces some other beautiful reds including a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
If you find yourself needing something to do while visiting the beautiful Cape Town, South Africa look no further than wine tasting excursions to the nearby Cape Winelands.
The soil in this area is fertile and the climate is comfortably moderate which makes for perfect growing conditions to produce delicious Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
With close to 150 vineyards and wine farms in the area, the available wine selection is sure to satisfy any pallet. Many of these farms feature their own restaurants and beautiful gardens, so making a full day of your excursion is a no-brainer!
3. Barcelona, Spain
Enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and equally phenomenal wine in the capital city of Barcelona.
The area around Barcelona has a claim to fame in its rich history of delicious cuisine and it’s gorgeous reds, whites, and cava. The people of Spain have a saying: “where the wine is good, the food is too.” This saying seems to hold true no matter where you find yourself in the region.
If you’re willing to do a bit of traveling outside of Barcelona, then checking out the home of one of Spain’s most renowned wines, the Rioja, is a must. With handfuls of world-class wineries to visit and 16th-century palaces to stay in, it’s worth the trip!
4. Yarra Valley, Australia
Yarra Valley, located a little over an hour outside of Melbourne, is the ideal spot for a cozy getaway involving lots of wine tasting.
This area is home to quaint villages, boutiques, restaurants, and of course plenty of wineries. These wineries offer a variety of locally produced wines including Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and it’s traditional sparkling wines.
Whether you’re planning on a day trip, a weekend retreat, or even longer, this region has some of the finest accommodations paired with some of the most beautiful scenery that Australia has to offer.
If you’re looking to stretch your legs and enjoy even more of the wine culture in Australia, consider popping over to Hunter Valley as well. You can learn more about what this unique region brings to the table from the post on the link.
5. Bordeaux, France
Spanning over 120,000 acres of land, the wine region of Bordeaux is one of the world’s most renowned wine producers for a reason. While in Bordeaux can enjoy everything from some of the most basic, but delicious table wines to some of the most extravagant and celebrated wines to exist.
Though more than two-thirds of the wine produced in Bordeaux are reds, you can enjoy a couple of regional whites as well. One of these whites is Sauternes, the regions signature white dessert wine.
Of course, you can’t forget about the wine that gets its namesake from the region itself, Bordeaux wine. This wine is a staple red made up of a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
From the tasting rooms located within some of the finest estates to the breathtaking views and elegant dining options, you can truly experience a life of luxury while you’re here!
6. Napa Valley & Sonoma, California, U.S.
Both Napa Valley and Sonoma offer up exquisite sights and wine tastings from more than 800 wineries between the two locations. These popular destinations draw in crowds every year, with 3.5 million peoplevisiting Napa Valley annually.
Both of these regions produce a decently wide variety of wines that include Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Merlot.
However, despite the wide offerings many wineries in the area are governed by strict laws and policies about tastings, so it’s best to plan your visits ahead of time. Of course, as with most things in the home state of Hollywood, Disneyland, and Coachella, the extra planning is more than worth it.
The tours through the predominantly family-owned wineries are often lacking in the pretentiousness that one may face in other wine regions. Napa Valley and Sonoma alike offer a haven for all levels of wine enthusiast and a great chance to get a taste of what the area has to offer.
7. Tuscany, Italy
A trip to Tuscany isn’t truly complete without a stop by one the region’s world-famous wineries for a tasting or two.
Stepping foot in Tuscany is truly like taking a step back into time to experience true Old World wine culture. The wineries here allow their vines to grow freely among the wild plants of the area, grapes are still crushed by foot, and the wine is still stored in basement cellars that have been carved and created right within the rocky hillsides.
This Old World wine culture makes for an experience like no other and can be experienced at venues spanning from cute little farmhouses to castles. In both types of venues alike, most tours and tastings are led by experts who will share a deep understanding of the wine itself and the perfect pairings.
You can expect to leave Tuscany with a new understanding of and appreciation for wine and how it’s made.
8. Santorini, Greece
Dating back to excavated prehistoric villages that have had trace amounts of dry white wine discovered within them, the islands have been home uniquely Greek wine varieties.
One of the most popular of the Greek Islands, Santorini, is known not only for its spellbinding beauty but also for its delightful wines. The rich soil created by volcanic activity and the climate of Santorini make for particularly unique flavors that are only found there.
Consider trying a Nychteri or Vin Santo at one of the wineries or have a bottle brought to your table while at one of the island’s many restaurants.
9. Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Canada is another place that probably doesn’t automatically come to mind when you think of countries famous for wine, but a visit to Okanagan could change that perspective.
The first wineries didn’t come to the Okanagan region until the early 1930’s and by 1990 there were only about 20. However, over the last 30 years this area has grown to produce truly divine wines from over 100 different wineries.
The climate in British Columbia has allowed for the area to produce such a wide variety of both reds and whites, making it destination that’s sure to please just about anyone’s taste preference. The varieties offered by these wineries include Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and an assortment of different fruit wines!
10. Alentejo, Portugal
Over the last 2,000 years, the people throughout the Alentejo region of Portugal have been producing wine. Actually, since the 18th century, the area’s main product has been wine.
Spanning across 8 different regions and almost 300 wineries, there’s plenty to see, do, and taste in Alentejo. The area’s most popular beverage and claim to fame is the port wine, which is a must-try while you’re there.
Many visitors find that taking one of the traditional wine routes and stopping by the wineries for tastings along the way is the best way to experience the wine and the culture alike.
Take the Trip of a Lifetime and Experience Wine Around the World
If taking yourself on an unforgettable vacation to experience wine around the world wasn’t on your bucket list before, it should be now!
These locations have the best of the best when it comes to views, food, and of course spectacular selections of wine.
Need a little help planning your dream getaway? Check out this blog post to help you get started.
Cheers and happy travels!
