Where is the World’s Best Wine Region?
Travel to the world’s wine regions yields rich experiences. Let us know where you think the world’s best wine region is.
The allure of the world’s wine regions merely begins with excellent wine. Romance, intrigue, scenery, conviviality and culture are just a few of the less tangible yet very real souvenirs wine lovers may bring home with their favourite bottle. Where is the world’s best region for wine and travel?
Sonoma Savvy
Maybe you have a number of favourite regions. But when forced to choose, you pick Sonoma because the wines are every bit as good as those in Napa, but the atmosphere is more relaxed and friendly. Your picnic in the Healdsburg town square is set to jazz music, and your go-to red may be from Sonoma’s Seghesio, an underrated Zinfandel producer. Another great find is Imagery, which boasts beautiful gardens and great wines with an emphasis on art for their labels. The value of your wine collection just went up.
A New Secret Weapon
Perhaps you discover that you prefer Prosecco over Champagne during a visit to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy. When you return home you choose wines from this region—Bardolino, Valpolicella, Amarone and Soave in addition to the sparkling Prosecco—and no matter the price point, you’re never let down. Maybe you know you’re not exactly a wine expert, but your guests won’t. How’s that for a smooth finish?
You Tell Us
Where do you think the world’s best—or the best up-and-coming—wine region is? What souvenir did you bring home with your favourite bottle? Make your opinion count.
South Africa-one of the best wines in the world,drink it and enjoy it,CHEEEEERS
We agree! Thank you for your comment.
Switzerland – Germany – France – Israel – California – Oregon – New York – South Africa – there are so many, how does one choose? For overall quality and variety, it is difficult to beat Napa and Sonoma Valleys. With visits planned to Argentina, Israel, New Zealand and more – so much wine, so little time.
So much wine, so little time is right! Thank you for your comment.
I have found the Willamette Valley to be a wonderful surprise. There are a number of small wineries that boast some outstanding Pinot.
LOL,. The best, BEST wineries in the world are in Australia.
Forget Hunter Valley, it is an also ran. Victoria’s wineries on the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and around Shepparton, esp.Tahbilk in the make a mockery of other wine regioworld. Come downunder and taste and see the best wineries and pristine countrside on the planet. Australia’s Sauvignon blancs, Reislings and Semillons are fantastic. As for Port styles muscats we have it all. Hope you come and see.
Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and Uco Valley that make up the Mendoza wine area in Argentina is a vibrant and exciting place for New World wines. With perfect weather (being in a desert, it only rains about 10 days a year), amazing food and friendly hosts, Mendoza must be the World’s best wine region. If you go, contact Ampora Wine Tours. They run a professional high end winery tour which you will remember for years to come.
Moldova has always been famous for its wine. There is a good climate for grapes and centuries-old tradition.
http://tomai.md/
One of the largest exporters of Moldovan wines – Tomai
My absolute favourite is Austria with some of the most picturesque surroundings with fabulous wines which are still produced by families who own their small wineries already for generations. I recommend visiting the wine regions Wachau (great white wines – Grüner Veltliner & Riesling) and Burgenland (incredible chardonnays, elegant red wines & world famous dessert wines).
http://www.winesfromaustria.com/eindex.php
Franschhoek must be one of the top 10 wine visits in the world.
Okay, folks since you asked and here’s to @VegasBill who threw me the link to this page. Here are just a few, as I’ve been to many and have many more planned: here’s what should be on your radar, Paso Robles, the Willamette Valley stay on the coast, stay in Solvang and visit the SBC, Tuscany [Chianti Classico] and the Santa Cruz Mountains… so much to see and do in these great spots, don’t wait go now! Want to learn more visit my blog @ http://www.cuveecorner.blogspot.com, cheers!
Definitely love Dunstand in New Zealand.
The view of Lake Dunstan is spectacular yet romantic. The relationship of the vineyard and its surrounding landforms is amazing with the a “feng shui” position which provide essential water, wind flow and energy for the vines as well as an orientation that maximises the long afternoon sun.
The Pinot Noir is a drink to die for.
Definitely the Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. Between breathtaking views of lakes and mountains and checking out the fabulous wineries, time spent here is always enjoyable.
A personal favourite is enjoying a glass of Pinot Gris while sitting on the deck at the Burrowing Owl winery.
Thumbs up to Franschhoek, South Africa. The wines are world class and the scenery is breath-taking. The Cape Winelands are a feast for foodies and winelovers alike. Prices reasonable. Well worth a visit to the bottom of Africa!
The Hautes Côtes south of Beaune (Pommard, Volnay, Monthélie..) are glorious.
The village of Puligny Montrachet: at Olivier Leflaive’s Villa – Burgundy, France – 17 wines at lunch… everyone sings Le Marsellaise – nothing better!
New Zealand has some of the best wines in the world. Most of the vineyards will not ship out of the country, so to thoroughly enjoy the experience, one must travel to NZ… but, that is not a bad thing.
Margaret River in Western Australia. Scenery to die for, just about every road leads to a beach so pristine, you think you are the first to discover it. Wines to die for and accommodation 5 star. Memo to Four Seasons – go open a hotel there.
I’m a fan of sauvignon blanc – so my vote is Marlborough in New Zealand.
Paso Robles, California. Even more untravelled than Sonoma. L’Aventure, Justin, Four Vines, Linne Colodo, Dover Canyon are a few of the many wineries that you will find travelling this beautiful area in California.
Stay at a boutique inn or book a private pool house in a friendly resident’s backyard.
Head downtown to Cowgirl Cafe for breakfast, taste cheese in a shop down the road and later go for dinner at Thomas Hill Organic Market Bistro hidden down an alley in a outdoor courtyard.
Little known, but highly rewarded is Mendocino County in California. Not a toursit area like Napa, but their wines are consistant winners. And if you compare the number os awards of Mendocino wines against Napa wines – no contest!
My personal favorite is the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in South Africa. It is breathtakingly beautiful and the wine is exceptional. The price tag is also a lot less than most other wine regions in the world. This is definitely the most under appreciated wine area when people talk about such areas in magazine, etc.
I love the Niagara region of Ontario! It’s the undiscovered gem of North America: it has spectacular boutique wineries perched on the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment that runs along Lake Ontario.
There’s nothing better than savoring a glass of silky Niagara pinot noir with fresh salmon.
I’ve included all of Niagara wineries in my new free mobile app for iPhone, BlackBerry. You can search wineries for tour hours, wines, history, driving directions: http://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp