Plan Your Next Wine Vacation With Eastern Travels
Enotourism or Wine Tourism has grown tremendously in the last 10 years. Today, it’s a very popular choice for a vacation in itself. Picturesque vineyards and colorful landscapes with lots of excellent wine are the key ingredients that will make your wine tasting holiday a success.
Wine tasting holidays are all about visiting the gorgeous wineries, witnessing how the wine is made, meeting the wine growers themselves, participating in the wine harvest and of course enjoying the different kinds of wine available with the regions delicacies and so much more.
Wine tasting holidays are not to be mistaken to be limited to wine enthusiasts only. In addition to wine tastings and tours, each region has a wide selection of beautiful sights, parks, small charming towns and adventure activities to offer all its tourists.
We hope to inspire your next wine vacation with the below list of the best wine destinations in the world.
1. Tuscany, Italy –
A popular wine region located along the north western coast of Italy, Tuscany is famous for its gentle rolling hills, medieval castles and lush vineyards. Here, you can experience old school wine culture at its best in its many beautiful wineries. You can also rent a bike and explore the hills and towns, take a cooking class or go for a nature hike.
Tuscany is known for its red wines like Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello and fine white wine like Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
2. Bordeaux, France –
Bordeaux, France is one of the most prestigious wine destinations in the world. Brilliant architecture, beautiful gardens, stylish boutiques, outdoor cafes, wine bars, lush vineyards with exquisite tasting rooms along with sumptuous food make Bordeaux a perfect destination for every traveler. You can also visit museums, gardens, famous sights like Dune du Pilat and Miroir d’Eau or go for relaxing spas.
In Bordeaux, you will find a variety of wines that range from the most expensive in the world to delicious table wines. The famous wines to try are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon wines.
3. Loire Valley, France –
The Loire Valley is located along the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France and is known for its superior French grandeur, royal castles, beautiful gardens, great accommodation and outstanding wines. Along with wine tastings and tours, you can also visit museums, absorb the architectural wonders, visit parks and zoos or take a hot air balloon ride and explore this beautiful region.
Muscadets, Sauvignon Blancs and smoky Cabernets are the wines to try in this region.
4. Barcelona, Spain –
Barcelona, Spain is a gorgeous wine region with its modern accommodations, excellent restaurants and medieval castles that have been redone into premier wineries. You can explore the exquisite wineries and also visit the churches and museums, watch the magic fountain show and tour the Barcelona football team stadium and museum.
Sparkling Cava is the most famous wine to try in Barcelona.
5. Napa and Sonoma, California –
Napa is the most popular wine region in the United States. It has over 400 wineries open for wine tours and also charming little towns, fine restaurants, hotels, spas and lots of outdoor activities like cycling and hiking. You can try the local cuisine and enjoy various art, music and film festivals that are scheduled year round throughout the region.
This region produces a wide range of wines and is famous for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The next most popular wine region in the Unites States is Sonoma. Due to the similar variety of grapes produced, the wines available in Sonoma are similar to those available in Napa.
Sonoma also has enchanting little towns, superb restaurants and wine bars and boutique hotels that can be explored by renting a bicycle. Here too, you can go for various food and entertainment festivals, try the local cuisine, visit nature parks and the Pacific coastline or unwind in luxurious spas and resorts. Sonoma truly has something for everyone.
6. Finger Lakes, New York –
New York’s prime wine region, the Finger Lakes is a beautiful region with about 1000 wineries spread out in the panoramic hills surrounding the lakes.
You can fill your day by visiting a number of different tasting rooms and taking tours of the many wineries and also outdoor activities like swimming, boating, camping, tasting the local cuisine and then at night settling in at one of the many luxury hotels or charming B & B’s.
Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Vidal Blank are the different wines available here.
7. Cape Town, South Africa –
Scenic wine routes, historic wine estates and origin of a few of the most popular wines in the world, Cape Winelands, outside of Cape Town is South Africa’s premier attraction.
You can explore the beautiful cities of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek and also visit the Table Mountain Natural Park, beaches, townships, learn about the South African history, go for different events and outdoor concerts and shop for unique products.
Here you can enjoy wines like Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
8. Mendoza, Argentina –
Mendoza, Argentina with its blue skies and beautiful mountains is a great wine region that has lots to offer to everyone. Enjoy good wine and food, relaxing spas, luxury hotels, skiing, rafting and many other thrilling outdoor activities. Tour the Andes, visit olive groves, explore the city and enjoy a vibrant night life. Mendoza is one destination you do not want to miss.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah are the popular wines available in this region.
9. Yarra Valley, Australia –
Yarra Valley, close to Melbourne, is a beautiful region with huge green fields, lush vineyards and rolling mountains. You can try a variety of wines like Sparkling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio with delicious gourmet food and be spoilt for choice with a number of different outdoor activities like hiking and hot air balloon rides, parks and accommodations to make your time in Yarra Valley memorable.
Contact us to get more than just a glimpse into the beautiful wine destinations of the world and plan your next vacation.