If you’re a wine lover, you must have had an urge to travel to different places where exquisite wines are produced. Italy, perhaps? In Veneto, Tuscany, or Piedmont, maybe?
But why not broaden your horizons and expand your wine preferences by traveling to exotic destinations around the globe and mix a holiday with sampling some of the finest wines in the world?
These are some essential wine regions you must visit in order to satisfy your wine-loving heart. And while you’re at it, experience the culture these places have to offer and find out what makes their wine unique.
Here are some of the most popular wine regions and also underrated destination to include on your bucket list:
1. Bordeaux, France
If you’re someone who prides yourself when it comes to your wine knowledge, then you’ve heard of the world-renowned Bordeaux wines.
Extending along three rivers Garonne, Gironde, and Dordogne, the region’s temperate climate makes the wine created in Bordeaux considered one of the best.
This is one of the most romantic places to visit in France.
Activities in Bordeaux include wine tours that let you see the vineyard yielding grapes used to create the local exquisite wines. It’s also rich in history and culture, with a city filled with fun and liveliness. If you live and breathe wine, this is the dream destination for you.
2. Napa Valley, California
If you live in the U.S., then there’s no real need to go that far for a wine experience of a lifetime.
Napa Valley is a wine region filled with more than 400 wineries with diverse settings, styles and history. The stunning views surrounding the valley make this one of the essential places to visit in California and there are lots of tours and vineyards which will make it a trip to remember.
The Napa Valley is home to popular local wineries like Castello di Amorosa, Opus One, and Caymus Vineyards.
Caymus wines have an excellent reputation for a soft, yet rich and ripe high quality of wine. Enjoy a bottle of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon California Red - 1L as you marvel at the majestic views of the vineyards.
3. Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
When you think of wine, you probably don't think of Mexico but book a trip to the wineries in the stunning Valle de Guadalupe and you won't regret it.
Wine enthusiasts who visit the region can join in an organized tour group out of Tijuana. Casa Frida, Casta de Vinos, and Finca La Carrodilla are just some of the renowned wineries in the region, which are worth checking out.
If you visit the Sol y Barro winery, you can enjoy your wine while admiring the really beautiful scenery. This area is full of flowers with wild birds for visitors, which will make you relax at every sip you take.
4. Istria, Croatia
Croatia is a country with a beautiful coastline and spectacular islands.
This is one of the most up and coming travel destinations in Europe but did you know that it’s also a place where a wine region teeming with vineyards producing some of the most decadent wines in the world?
Istria might not be somewhere you would think of when talking about wine, but it sure does have a lot to offer and is one of the best value for money locations on our list.
The beautiful city of Istria is very scenic, and the wineries grow their very own indigenous grapes for their wines. Malvajiza is one of Croatia’s oldest grapes dating back to the ancient Greek times. Teran, another popular variety, is the main ingredient for Croatia’s best wine.
Be sure to learn some basic Croatian phrases to impress the local people.
5. Niagara Peninsula, Canada
Another wine region that is underrated is the Niagara Peninsula which is the most productive wine region of Canada.
Although known worldwide for the incredible Niagara Falls Waterfalls - one of the best places to see in Canada. But the Niagara Peninsula is one of the most well-acclaimed winemaking regions in Ontario, Canada.
This is a place known locally for making delicious wine which are comparable to more of the best wines from around the world.
Once you visit for a wine tour you won't think of the Niagara Peninsula again without associating it with their lusciously sweet wines. Many wineries also produce different varieties of dry wine such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The vast area is filled with vineyards that offer a unique experience you wouldn’t want to miss in this lifetime. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the wineries and you also can't miss the chance to go sightseeing to see Niagara Falls too.
More Popular Wine Regions
- Douro Valley, Portugal
- Tuscany, Italy
- Mendoza, Argentina
- Marlborough, one of the best wine destinations in New Zealand
- La Rioja, Spain
- Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Barossa Valley, Australia
- Burgundy, France
- Champagne, France
- Loire, France
- Hunter Valley, Australia
- Colchagua Valley, Chile
- Maipo Valley, Chile
- Wachau, Austria
Traveling to beautiful wine regions is the ultimate wine lover’s dream. Be it all the way to France, Australia, Italy, California or Asia, being able to visit a winery and experience an unforgettable wine tour can be enough. Besides, you don’t only get to experience the wine of each place, but also a bit of culture that can be found in their wineries and the wine itself.
Have you ever been to any of the places featured on our list? Or have any recommendations for somewhere we have missed? Let us know in the comments section below.
