Sommelier's Dream - 6 Best Destinations for Wine Tasting

A good glass of wine is the perfect companion to a relaxing evening at home or a fun night out with friends. Fortunately, many wineries around the world offer amazing tours and tastings for visitors to enjoy. Some specialize in red wines or produce white or rosé wines, while others make hybrid wines such as sparkling or fortified wines. Basically, there is a winery for everyone! Take a look at the following best destinations for wine tasting, choose a favorite, and get ready your passport for a trip!

1. Marvelous reds of Tuscany, Italy

The Italian region of Tuscany is a destination for wine lovers of all kinds. The vineyards in the area produce a wide variety of high-quality wines, including Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Vino Nobile di Brunello. While red wines are dominating the production here, like Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons, you can find whites from the native Vermentino grape.

Tuscany’s wine culture doesn’t include only vineyards, but castles and festivals held throughout the year. If this is your destination of choice, the peak season is from May to October, although visiting from September to October is the grape harvest and less crowded.

2. Family-owned wineries of Mendoza, Argentina

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination for wine tasting, consider getting a ticket to Mendoza in Argentina. This UNESCO-designated wine region is home to many small, family-owned wineries that are worth visiting. The region features a wide range of altitudes, soil types, and grape varieties, which leads to a rich choice of wines. 

While there, you can visit wineries such as Bodega Del Boulevard, Bodega Etchart, and Bodega Las Lomas de Caballito, among others. The most famous Argentinian wine is dry-style Malbec, but you will find other high-quality reds, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Since the production starts in autumn, this is a perfect time to come here and munch on the grapes. 

3. Grapes from the volcanic soil of Santorini, Greece

The Greek island of Santorini is well-known for its seaside and architecture, but many don’t realize that it’s also one of the best places to go wine tasting in the world. The volcanic soil on the island makes it ideal for grapes that are cultivated in koulara, a bush-training system using woven baskets. Reds are not as favored as whites, but they are full-bodied, aged in oak, and made from Mandilaria and Mavrotragano grapes.

Some of the most prominent Santorini wineries to visit are Sigalas Winery, Estate Argyros, Santo Wines, and Dom Pyrogalos Winery. There are also several tours and events, like Wine & Dine or Wine on the Rocks, which are great opportunities to enjoy globally acclaimed white Vinsanto wines. 

4. Fine dining and wine tasting in Napa Valley, California

You can't go wrong with a trip to Napa Valley. This North American wine region is home to many of the largest wineries in the USA, like Plumpjack Winery, Robert Mondavi Winery, and Castello di Amorosa. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most praised wine of Napa, accounting for 40% of the overall production. 

Come here during harvest from August to October to see the production process and go on wine tasting tours. Once here, make sure to try the cuisine in Michelin star restaurants and walk some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Californian west coast.

5. Two centuries of wine-making tradition of Hunter Valley, Australia

If you’re looking for a destination where you can see the entire wine-making process, we recommend visiting the Hunter Valley in Australia. This region is home to a broad range of wineries dating back to the 1800s and producing the best Shiraz, Semillon, and Chardonnay in the country. 

Stay at Hunter Valley accommodation and take your time visiting places such as the Lindemans Winery, the Jacob’s Creek Winery, the Brokenwood Winery, and the McPhail Wines. You can also take tours that allow you to see how the wine is made and taste it fresh from the barrel. Hiking, riding a hot air balloon, a tour of the chocolate factory, and vodka distillery are some of the other fun activities to add to your itinerary. 

6. Taste of the Old World in Burgundy, France

No list of the best places to go wine tasting would be complete without Burgundy. This French wine region is famed for its Pinot Noir used to make Red Burgundy, as well as for Chardonnay producing an exquisite White Burgundy. Many of the most prestigious wineries in the world are here, including Domaine du Chatelain, Domaine de la Haute-Empire, Chateau Gaudrelle, and Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. 

Medieval monuments and quaint villages bring the charm of the Old World to the wine-tasting experience France is marveled for. Go for a scenic hike among the vineyards after lunch and have a glass of wine at one of the villages, like Irancy and Cluny, to fully embrace Burgundy’s appeal.  

In conclusion

The world’s best wine regions offer visitors a wide variety of wineries, globally renowned vineyards, and unique experiences that are perfect for any lover of reds, whites, or rosés. The best advice we can offer is to pick a place that sounds appealing to you, then do some research to find out when the best time to visit is. From there, it’s simply a matter of choosing which wineries to visit and what types of wines you’d like to try.