The passion for wine has been around since time immemorial, and it’s now become a basis of the tourism industry. Although it’s tough to pick the best wine-producing regions of the world to visit, here’s our top 10 locations to sample the local varietals.
#1. Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is tucked along the Andean foothills and has a fascinating history of wine making, which dates back to the 1500s. Although a semi-arid region, Mendoza is well known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, and more.
#2. Bordeaux, France
The Bordeaux wine country is adorned with gorgeous mansions and noble squares built by 18th century wine merchants. It’s a beautiful city devoted to wine making, with mid-July to the end of August being peak season. The city hosts a wine festival every two years, with the two-kilometer ‘wine road’ along the Garonne River taking center stage for sampling 80 appellations that hail from the Bordeaux and Aquitaine region.
#3. Napa & Sonoma Valleys, California, USA
The Napa and Sonoma Valleys are California’s most famous wine regions. For a unique experience through Napa Valley, hop on the Napa Valley Wine Train, which travels from Napa to St. Helena and back. There are different dining experiences and wine tastings to choose from while traveling through the area. If you’re visiting Sonoma County, enjoy a six-hour wine-tasting tour aboard the Sonoma Valley Trolley. Catered lunch is included as well as a stop at four wineries.
#4. Basque Country, Spain
The Rioja Alavesa area in the Basque Country’s Álava region produces various red wines such as Mazuelo, Tempranillo, and Graciano, as well as white wines, for example, Tempranillo Blanco, Chardonnay, and Malvasía. Cider, or sagardoa in Basque, is a popular drink enjoyed in the northern part of the Basque Country, and it’s certainly worth popping into a cider bar to have a glass or two.
#5. Alto Adige, Italy
Though Tuscany first comes to mind when talking about wine-producing regions in Italy, Alto Adige in South Tirol is gradually emerging as the next wine destination. It’s known for its world famous Pinot Grigio, as well as Lagrein, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc.
#6. Yarra Valley, Australia
The Yarra Valley, home to 73 wineries, has a cooler, continental climate in comparison to Australia’s other wine regions. Just 45 kilometers from Melbourne, it’s known for an outstanding Pinot Noir.
#7. Tuscany, Italy
It’s a fact that Tuscany is Italy’s most popular wine region. A drive along SR 222, between Florence and Siena, will lead you through stunning scenery of Chianti. Be sure to visit in September, which ushers in the grape harvest and festivals. The Vino al Vino, for example, takes place on the third weekend of the month in the town of Panzano.
#8. Cape Town, South Africa
The Cape Winelands are located a stone’s throw from Cape Town in the Western Cape, producing a wide variety of grapes that are a must to try: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, among others. There are 18 wine routes to explore and two brandy routes, as well.
#9. Alentejo, Portugal
Alentejo has been producing wine for ages. Although it’s one of the most underdeveloped regions of Portugal, it’s still recognized for its top-quality wines. After a wine tasting, be sure to catch some sun on the finest beaches in all of Europe.
#10. Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
The Willamette Valley has over 530 wineries and 20,000 acres dedicated to viticulture. The Pinot Noir, which has been produced here since 1965, is considered one of the best in the world.
— Uncharted101.com (@Uncharted1o1) July 29, 2017
All these above mentioned countries offer the most amazing wine tasting experiences. For more details, have a look at the Gifographic shared by Tango.Tours.
Rioja is a region in Spain. It does not belong to the Basque Country, another different region. Anyway, wine is produced in Rioja region and a frontier district in the Basque Country also known as “Rioja”. Cider is not a characteristical production of Rioja, but of northern basque lands with an Atlantic climate. Rioja as a whole does not have an oceanic climate, but a continental one, broadly speaking, dry and sunny and suitable for wine making, impossible in the rainy and atlantic weather of most of the spanish Basque Country.
Thank you for your comment, Ignacio. I can see how #4 on the list in the body of the article can be confused with #4 on the list of the infographic. So, it’s good to make the distinction that Rioja Alavesa is in the Basque Country’s Álava region, which borders the autonomous community and province of La Rioja. True, the northern part of the Basque Country is known for producing cider, and it has been further clarified in the article.
I’m surprised New Zealand isn’t listed. Some of their whites from the South Island are heavenly (and very expensive on the other side of the world!). .