Cute little towns, traditional cellars, delicious wine and food – all this is often part of a wine tour. Tourism-Review.com brings you ten tips for marvelous wine vacation selected by Opentravel.com. Visit South Africa, New Zealand and even Moldova and prepare your taste buds for the world’s best wines.
AUSTRALIA
Barossa Valley with its hectares of vineyards is well known for crisp Rieslings, soft Chardonnays and rich Shiraz. The tranquil rural region in South Australia with stunning little cottages, old churches, and fine restaurants is a perfect setting for a pleasant wine tour around the local wineries. Also, get ready for tasty cuisine on offer there and an immensely hospitable locals.
NEW ZEALAND
Marlborough and the Marlborough Sounds, a stunning network of sea-drowned valleys, have attracted crowds of nature lovers for decades. However, for many Marlborough is a synonym for the country’s wine since 79 per cent of New Zealand’s wine production comes from this region. The largest wine producing region in the country covers more than 9,000 hectares of vineyards. Since wine is best served with some other delicacies, Marlborough also offers a lot of gourmet restaurants.
CHILE
Tiny villages clinging to the mountainsides, snow-capped mountains and the shimmering Maipo River – all this is only a small part of the Maipo Valley wine tour adventure. The valley is the oldest wine-producing zone in Chile, with vineyards stretching eastwards from Santiago to the Andes and westward to the very coast. As such the region boasts some of the world’s best red wines – Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot are the most popular choices. However, local Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are highly praised too.
SPAIN
Ancient wineries, which pay homage to its heritage, can be still found in La Rioja. Since Romans made wine making an essential part of their culture, La Rioja has been an important element of the country’s history. Nowadays, visitors can look forward to tasting the best-quality Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Moreove, the region hides yet another marvel. Visit the town of Elciego and enjoy the unconventional architecture of a hotel designed by famous Frank Gehry – Marqués de Riscal Hotel.
FRANCE
Known for the best quality reds and whites as well as delicious food, Bordeaux is the destination of choice for any wine tourist. The region is home to 60 appellations and more than 8,500 producers. Visitors can explore the local vineyards, taste the production, learn about the region’s history. Several romantic châteaux and outstanding architecture of villages and towns in Bordeaux only add to the local ambience that is so “French”.
USA
Napa and Sonoma Valleys are known as the major wine regions in the world. Napa with its gourmet restaurants, clubs and spas attracts five million tourists each year while Sonoma is more peaceful, sleepy and romantic. It does not matter if you choose the tourist-packed and lively Napa or its less hectic sister, you will still enjoy your wine tour immensely. Cooking courses, horseback rides and balloon trips are also on offer.
GERMANY
The Mosel Valley in western Germany does not attract only wine lovers but also tourists exploring its fairytale-like atmosphere. Bernkastel-Kues and Cochem are the two towns that should be part of your tour. Besides that get ready for cobbled streets, romantic villages, vine-covered slopes, enchanted castles and steamy river.
SOUTH AFRICA
One of the prettiest towns in the Western Cape Province, Stellenbosch is home to more than 200 grape producers. In 1971 a wine route was founded there promoting the wine of the major local producers. Stellenbosch known for the best quality wine in South Africa is located about 50 km (30 mi) east of Cape Town. Visitors enjoy daily wine tasting, cellar tours and wine sales. Romantic restaurants and cute picnic facilities will help you take in the spirit of Cape Winelands.
MOLDOVA
Moldova’s Milestii Mici might not have the most astonishing landscape, yet it is there where you find the largest wine collections in the world (2 million bottles). The village is famed for an extensive cellar complex with 250 km (155 mi) of corridors dug in white stone. Only there you can walk through the tunnel streets named "Cabernet", "Shardonait", "Feteasca", "Sauvignon" etc.
ITALY
Picturesque vineyards and rolling hills are the emblematic features of Tuscany, the large region in Central Italy. Tuscany is the heart of wine making in the country and with numerous wineries of every type it offers one of the best wine tours. Besides tasting Chianti, local restaurants and delicious cuisine are a popular attraction as well. Get ready for exciting Italian vacation.
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What about Mendoza Argentina??
May I add to your list the wonderful Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. For tourists there are, of course, the famous Niagara Falls, there is the Welland Canal, there is theatre - the Shaw Festival. As for wine, there are many Award winning wineries. This is the region famous for Icewine. And there a innovations. A newcomer to the region, Rosewood Estates, has most delicious Honey Wines from their own Bee Hives. Come and Enjoy!
And what about Kakheti in Georgia?
Natalia from Georgia is right: Georgia wines are one of the best wines in the world. You definitely should visit Kakheti. It's great.