Top 8 Most Beautiful Wine Regions In The World

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited all of our travel options for this year. Unless you live in the middle of a vacation resort, chances are your holiday plans for this summer season have suffered severe setbacks because of the virus.

However, we all have next year and the year after to look forward to. To make the most of our next holiday, we should all start planning as soon as possible!

If you’re a wine enthusiast, there’s no better place for a trip than a high-class wine region. We’ve looked at eight of our favorites here.

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1. Bordeaux, France

Located in the south-west of France, Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions on the planet. It’s best-known for dry red wine like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you want to get up to more than just touring vineyards, Bordeaux’s city has plenty to offer as well. Take a tour of the historic old town to see its beautiful markets and breathtaking Gothic architecture.

2. Napa Valley, California, United States

The areas of Napa and Sonoma in California have long been America’s most popular wine region for tourists. They are famous for Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and many more.

If you’ve had enough wine, there are plenty of other things to get up to in the area. Napa Valley is only a short trip from Sacramento, California’s state capital. Slightly further away is the Bay Area, with the neighboring cities of Oakland and San Francisco. Take a trip here for world-famous sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf. And if you have enjoyed your time in California, you will likely enjoy spending some time in North Carolina on some Asheville Wine Tours. You will find that the quality of tours is comparable to your time in Napa Valley.

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3. Western Cape, South Africa

South Africa might not be the first place that pops into your head when you think of wine. However, its climate makes it ideal for producing grapes, and it’s growing as a destination for wine tourists.

The Western Cape, where Cape Town is situated, is your best bet for a vineyard vacation in South Africa. The local specialties here include Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

4. Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

Langhe is another name that’s synonymous with regional wine. No matter where you go in the world, local wine enthusiasts will probably have heard of it.

Langhe is an hilly area covered with vineyards in the Piemonte region with excellent food & wine. If you’re a fan of red wine then you will find the world’s best is made in the Langhe, like Barolo and Barbaresco.

Langhe vineyards sunset panorama, near Barolo, Unesco Site, Piedmont, Northern Italy Europe.

If you want to see the traditional wine tasting opportunities process in action, Langhe is the place to go. Many producers still crush grapes with their feet here!

5. Mendoza, Argentina

This is one of the more far-flung locations on this list (unless you’re already a South American resident). However, if you’re willing to make the trip, Mendoza is an experience you’re not likely to forget.

The Malbec from this region is particularly good, and it’s also renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Book in for vineyard tours and wine-tasting experiences in one of the area numerous production centers.

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6. Niagara Peninsula, Canada

The Niagara region is known more for its waterfalls than its wineries. However, the Niagara Peninsula is emerging as a significant wine region in North America, specializing in Riesling and Chardonnay.

As well as wine, this area has plenty more to like. The aforementioned waterfalls are a must-see if you’re in the area, and the nearby cities of Toronto and New York are both well worth visiting if you’re going on a more extended trip.

7. Alentejo, Portugal

This isn’t the best-known wine region in Europe, nor even in Portugal; the Douro Valley vineyards are probably more famous. However, this hidden gem is well worth exploring for real wine enthusiasts.

The Touriga Nacional (which is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon in many respects) is the local specialty here.

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8. Yarra Valley, Australia

With its scorching climate and vast expanses of land, Australia has become a major player in global wine production over the past couple of decades. Yarra Valley, near Melbourne, is perhaps the best of its wine regions.

Syrah (a variant of Shiraz) and Pinot Noir are the main red wines here, while Chardonnay is the most common white.

Planning the Trip of a Lifetime

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or you just like the occasional tipple, you’ll have a great time visiting any of the wine regions we’ve looked at here. The weather is fine and the wine flows freely; what’s not to like?

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References

1. Visit Tuscany (2020). Shapes and filling, top five Tuscan pasta dishes. Retrieved from: https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/shapes-filling-top-five-tuscan-pasta-dishes/

2. Wine Australia (2019). Australian Wine Sector at a glance. Retrieved from: https://www.wineaustralia.com/market-insights/australian-wine-sector-at-a-glance