The Top 5 Best Wine Destinations in the Entire World
Are you looking to go wine tasting or take a tour? You’re going to want to go to one of the top wine destinations in the world.
At some point in life, everyone should combine a well-earned vacation with wine. What better way to spend the day than in the midst of beautiful countryside with a glass in hand?
Since emerging in Europe, quite possibly in Georgia some 8000 years ago, wine-making has expanded to almost every corner of the world, making choosing one destination quite the task.
But Panic not! We’ve scoured the globe and picked out our top 5 wine destinations to help narrow down your search for the ideal vino-infused getaway. Let’s take a closer look at what sets these wine destinations apart from the rest.
1. Campania, Italy
With Naples as its capital, Campania is the ‘shin’ of Italy’s boot. It’s winemaking roots date back to the 12th century BC, making it one of Italy’s oldest wine regions. It’s home to some of the best wineries in Italy.
Campania is most notable for its Aglianico grape, which is responsible for the region’s most respected red wines Taurasiand Aglianico del Taburno. It is also responsible for the Fiano and Greco grape, which are used in the region’s most established white wines. There are just a few of the exquisite grapes in the region, some of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world.
The hub of Campania’s wine production is about 50 miles east of Naples, meaning its feasible to use the ancient city as camp and set out for daily trips to the region.
2. Cape Winelands, South Africa
You can fly directly from New York to Cape Town and from there, it’s just a 45 minutes ride to wine country. Beautiful accommodation awaits in any of the small towns such as Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek, which are all situated in the heart of the region.
The Western Cape produces a wide variety of wines, but it is predominantly known for its wines from the Pinotage and Shiraz grape varieties. Some wineries here even have their own upscale golf courses!
3. Paso Robles, California
Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s Central Coast lies Paso Robles. It’s warm and continental climate makes for excellent Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varieties.
Paso Robles is home to more than 200 wineries and over 60 grape varieties. If you get the chance, a visit to Tin City is a must. Here the local artisans of alcoholic beverages gather in one place for your drinking pleasure.
4. Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Languedoc-Roussillon contains about one-quarter of France’s wine-producing vines and is home to world-renowned winemaker Gérard Bertrand. July is the time to visit when Bertrand puts on a five day festival of wine, food, and music at his own hotel.
5. The Duoro Valley, Portugal
The Duoro Valley could well be the most scenic of wine destinations. The Duoro Valley is best known for its famously sweet port, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer in the way of table wines.
It’s also known for its black grape varieties such as Bastardo, Tinta Amarela and Tinta Roriz, but it also produces some exquisite white wines that aren’t to be missed.
Which of These Wine Destinations Will It Be?
These five wine destinations are a must for any wine tasting tour. All that’s left to do is choose one!
Always be sure to check with each destination regarding the optimum season for visiting, and plan ahead. Each region has a multitude of wineries to visit so doing a little research as to which ones to visit and when is a necessary part of planning your perfect wine tasting tour.
Be sure to take a look at the rest of our site for more ways to get the most from your food and beverages.
