The Vino Voyage: 5 Must-visit Wine Regions around the World
The world is full of divine wine regions, with both the Old World and New World producers providing spectacular spots to enjoy fine vino, sumptuous food pairings and some gorgeous scenery whilst doing so!
From Bordeaux’s well-aged Merlot to Tuscany’s earthy Chianti, through to the Barossa Valley’s emboldened Shiraz, the world is back on for travel and that is music to the ears of wine lovers.
So, here are five of the world’s wine regions that any connoisseur should get packing for:
Bordeaux
Bordeaux wine is famous for its ageing process, which allows the Cabernet Sauvignon grape to perfectly age in the barrel and the bottle. Given that the grape’s tannins will age and allow to soften, the wine’s other aspects are allowed to shine through, creating a truly complex regional variety that is a must-visit for cellar door lovers.
On top of this, Bordeaux is one of France’s most sparkling regions, a truly beautiful, fertile place with some of the world’s most luxurious cellar door experiences like that of the Château Lamothe Bergeron, Château Siran and the Château Giscours, all of which provide fantastic tours with knowledgeable guides and some unforgettable tasting experiences.
Tuscany
Once again, Tuscany is a region whose winemaking is steeped in centuries-old tradition and a fine ageing process. With the sangiovese grape being both high acidity and high in tannins, it is also allowed to age well and allow those bold, complex flavours to come through in the likes of the world famous Chianti (a subregion in Tuscany).
Tuscany is the ultimate place to go winery-hopping, with guided tours as well as Vespa rides being on the agenda for those looking to try some of the region’s best wine with some mouth watering Tuscan food pairings.
Be sure to head to Badia Passignano, Badia a Coltibuono and the gorgeous Castella di Nipozzano to sample the world’s very best Chianti.
The Barossa Valley
Perhaps the world’s most desired New World wine regions, the Barossa Valley carries a tradition that, despite its more recent growth, can rival that of some of the Old World producers.
Why? Because the Barossa Valley is home to the world’s oldest continually-produced Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, as well as a few others that truly put it on the map.
The result is a fine wine making tradition that retains its past devotion to the process, producing powerful reds and lovely whites in both warmer low valley climes and higher, hillside vineyards.
Don’t miss the legendary Peter Lehmann and Yalumba for two of Australia’s very best cellar door experiences.
Rioja
Renowned for its tannins and structure, but for also containing delightful, fruity flavours, Spain’s Rioja region is another Old World region with rich history for quality production.
Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes are both used to produce Rioja’s fine wine, with wineries like Viña Real and Contino offering memorable cellar door experiences for those who find themselves venturing around Spain’s stunning northeast.
The Napa Valley
California’s Napa Valley is the perfect combination of terrain, climate and soil, a New World region that is simply ideal for producing quality vintages. Its Cabernet Sauvignon is the main product, but it is also home to some stellar Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Being an American wine regions, you can be sure that there will be some pretty luxe cellar door experiences, with the likes of the Chateau Montelena Winery, Domain Carneros and Pine Ridge Vineyards all providing unforgettable winery experiences in beautiful surrounds.
