If you’re a foodie, there’s no doubt in your mind that discovering local food and wine is one of the most exciting parts of travelling. Wine tourism (also known as Eno-tourism) involves visiting vineyards, wine tasting and experiencing local winemaking culture. This is a great form of food tourism whether you are a connoisseur, want to start your wine journey, or simply enjoy being amongst beautiful vineyards.
The second Saturday in November has been named Wine Tourism Day as a means to promote wineries around the world and highlight the economic impact of wine tourism. In honour of this year’s Wine Tourism Day, Expat Explore has put together a list of some of the world’s most beautiful and impressive wine-making regions. Get ready for rolling hills, spectacular natural scenery and, most importantly, delicious wine!
Related: Not into wine? Check out the best destinations for beer lovers!
These are the world’s best wine-producing regions:
Tuscany
Country: Italy
Best Grape: Sangiovese
Favourite Varietal: Chianti
Top Estate: Castello di Ama
Tuscany is perhaps the first place that may pop up when you picture breathtaking landscapes featuring famous vineyards. This iconic winemaking region in Italy has become synonymous with fine wine and wine tourism. The soil in Tuscany is perfect for the Sangiovese grape which is used to make most of Tuscany’s red wine. In fact, 90% of all Tuscan wine is red wine! However, this doesn’t mean that all Tuscan wine tastes the same. The climate and soil can differ greatly across Tuscany, making for a wonderfully diverse wine-tasting experience.
In between the breathtaking greenery, you’ll find charming towns known for their well-preserved medieval architecture. Aside from its exceptional wine, Tuscany is also known for its incredible cuisine and fresh produce. Be sure to try some of the high-quality meats, cheeses and hearty pasta dishes when you visit Tuscany!
Related: There’s even more to try in Tuscany than the wines!
Burgundy
Country: France
Best Grape: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Favourite Varietal: Chablis
Top Estate: Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC)
France is one of the best countries for wine lovers to visit! Of course, there’s the Champagne region famous for being the only place in the world that can actually call its sparkling wine “Champagne”! There’s also the stunning city of Bordeaux which is known for its historic architecture as well as its excellent food and wine. However, for this list, we’ve chosen Burgundy as our top French wine region to visit. Why? First of all, it’s home to some truly exquisite landscapes. Think luscious hillside vineyards towering over winding rivers and canals! Not to mention its charming towns including Beaune, home to the Hospices de Beaune, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Dijon, the capital of Burgundy known for its traditional mustard amongst other delicious culinary delights.
While these are all great reasons to visit Burgundy, the main draw is of course its world-class wine. Burgundy wines are favoured for being complex in flavour and unique to the region. Burgundy produces both red and white wine predominantly from chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Burgundy’s soil is primarily limestone and it is theorised that the region was once an ancient seabed which contributes to the distinctive qualities of Burgundy wine.
Related: Visit Burgundy when you join our Europe Highlights tour!
Kakheti
Country: Georgia
Best Grape: Saperavi
Favourite Varietal: Saperavi
Top Estate: Jakeli Wines
While still not as widely known around the world as its fellow old-world wines, Georgian wine is certainly worth discovering. Georgia, and in particular the Kakheti region, is known as the “Cradle of Wine”. This is because archaeologists have traced the first known wine creation to Georgia in 6,000 BC! Early Georgians discovered that wine could be made from grape juice by burying it underground in clay pots during winter. This method is still used today which makes Georgian wine unique in its production methods as well as its grapes.
Thanks to Kakheti’s flagship grape Saperavi, the region produces deep and complex red wines known for their rich colour and robustness, making them ideal for ageing. That doesn’t mean, however, that their white wines are any less incredible. Made from another notable grape variety from the region, Rkatsiteli, the white wines are known for their crisp, aromatic nature and slightly orange hue. And the best part? You can taste all of these wines when you visit Kakheti with Expat Explore on our 12-day Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia tour!
Related: While in Georgia, tick off the top attractions in the capital city Tbilisi!
Rhine Valley
Country: Germany
Best Grape: Riesling
Favourite Varietal: Riesling
Top Estate: Weingut Robert Weil
The Rhine Valley in Germany is as exquisite as it is popular. Apart from the incredible wines we’ll get to in a moment, what truly makes this wine region uniquely special is its location. Wineries in this region boast the type of scenery that travel dreams are made of, with steeply terraced vineyards overlooking the iconic Rhine River. The slate and mineral-rich soil of the region produces the distinct mineral character of Rhine Valley wines.
While Riesling is the most popular varietal, the Rhine Valley is also famous for its unique Eiswein (ice wine), which is made from grapes that are harvested and pressed while frozen. This gives the resulting wines an intensely sweet and concentrated taste that you’ll want to try for yourself! German wines are also classified by their ripeness and style using designations such as Kabinett or Auslese. Give this iconic region a visit to learn all about it, and fully immerse yourself in the rich wine culture and history while you cruise along the Rhine River on our European Vistas tour.
Related: Discover even more details about Rhine River wine tasting!
Stellenbosch
Country: South Africa
Best Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Favourite Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Top Estate: Rust en Vrede
Part of South Africa’s broader Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch is renowned around the world for its diverse terroir and exceptional wines. The warm African sun and cool ocean breezes create the perfect climate for grape cultivation. Winemaking in Stellenbosch is almost as old as the region itself, with Dutch settlers planting the first vineyards in the late 17th century. Today, the Cape Dutch architecture still provides a charmingly quaint backdrop for wine tasting.
As if Stellenbosch wasn’t already perfect for winemaking, the region’s soil diversity also adds to the high quality and uniqueness of the wines. Soil varieties like granite, shale and sandstone add complexity and character to some of the region’s top wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc.
Related: See, smell and taste the top attractions in South Africa and taste South African wine when you join our South Africa Escape tour!
Douro Valley
Country: Portugal
Best Grape: Touriga Nacional
Favourite Varietal: Port
Top Estate: Quinta do Jalloto
Famous for its Port and other high-quality red wines, the Douro Valley in Portugal is one of the oldest and most prestigious winemaking regions in the world. Not to mention that it became the first demarcated wine region in 1756, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the climate of dry, hot summers and cold winters, Douro Valley has the optimal conditions to ripen grapes and age Port.
While Port is the undoubted hero, other varieties such as Douro DOC also contribute to the region’s global renown. Visiting the “Douro Wine Region Cultural Landscape”, as it’s often referred to, is a must for wine lovers. From the stunning sight of terraced vineyards along the Douro River to the exceptional wines on offer, you won’t regret adding this region to your Bucket Barrel List!
Related: In case you need more reasons why Portugal should be on your bucket list!
Rioja
Country: Spain
Best Grape: Tempranillo
Favourite Varietal: Rioja
Top Estate: Bodegas Tritium
The Rioja region in Spain has been renowned for its exceptional wines since the 19th century thanks to its unique microclimate. The balance of continental and Mediterranean climate influences create an ideal environment for winemaking. If you love red wine as much as we do, Rioja is the place to visit! The principal grape of the region, Tempranillo, is known for producing fruit-forward wines that age superbly.
Speaking of ageing, the region is also famous for its classifications based on the oak-ageing period, including Crianza and Reserva. Rioja wines are also primarily aged in oak varieties, with American oak introducing vanilla and coconut notes while French oak contributes more subtly. Rioja is also home to the annual “Battle of the Wine” festival where a lively celebration ends with participants drenched in wine. Sounds like a blast if you ask us!
Related: Try the top Spanish tapas while you enjoy their wines!
Napa Valley
Country: USA
Best Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel
Favourite Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Top Estate: Truchard Vineyards
Located in the northern part of California, Napa Valley is an iconic winemaking region that’s sought after throughout the USA and the world! While it’s not as old as most of its competitors on this list, Napa Valley rose to international status in the winemaking world when its CabSav beat out a French wine in the 1976 “Judgment of Paris” blind tasting.
The picturesque landscape with rolling hills and vine-draped valleys has its warm, dry summers to thank for the ideal grape ripening conditions to develop flavour. Napa Valley also has a thriving culinary scene, with many Michelin-star restaurants in the region and some wineries in the area even offering food and wine pairings.
Related: Immerse yourself in American culture with these classic 4th of July recipes!
Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Best Grape: Malbec
Favourite Varietal: Syrah
Top Estate: Bodega Norton
The Mendoza region in Argentina is as breathtaking as it is renowned for its world-class wines. Located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza vineyards benefit from high altitudes of up to 3,000 metres. This means that the grapes are ripened in idyllic conditions – ample sunshine, low humidity, and wide diurnal temperature ranges.
In addition to the climate, Mendoza soil is diverse, ranging from sandy to rocky, which also adds to the complexity of its wines. While Malbec is the primary grape variety used, Mendoza also produces its own excellent versions of the classic reds, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, as well as an aromatic white, Torrontés. Be sure to book a winery tour or tasting when you visit, or plan your trip around the annual Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia every first week of March.
Related: Explore Argentina’s capital city on our Brazil, Iguazu & Argentina tour!
Marlborough
Country: New Zealand
Best Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Favourite Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Top Estate: Cloudy Bay
New Zealand’s most renowned wine region, Marlborough, is located on the South Island towards the northeastern tip. This gives the region the perfect maritime climate with hot days and cool nights to bring forth the vibrant flavours of fruits when ripening. This, along with the well-drained stony soil, produces the intense and pure Sauvignon Blanc wines that the region is most known for.
Other varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also popular choices due to their complexity while remaining smooth and elegant. Marlborough is also at the forefront of sustainability in the wine industry, with many of the local wineries employing a range of environmentally friendly winemaking techniques. Give this future-forward wine region a visit, and savour the iconic wines and vineyard vistas!
That concludes our international wine tasting of note. We hope this list has given you valuable insights into the wine practices of the world, and maybe also inspired you to check them out for yourself!
Ready to tour the wine world? Wine not! Book a trip on one of our single or multi-country tours, and get your taste buds ready for the best reds and whites that the globe has to offer!