10 of the Best Wine Regions in the World
For a wine lover, visiting some of these famous wine regions across the globe is a must. We have narrowed down a list of our favourites, from iconic Australian regions, to the hidden gems of Argentina and beyond. Get started on your holiday plans and read on for 10 of the world’s best wine hubs.
The Home Grown Favourites:
Sometimes, the best trip is the one through your own backyard. Australia is renowned for producing some of the world’s best wines, from Margaret River’s beach town treasures, to the full flavours of a Barossa Shiraz – you won’t be hard pressed finding a wine filled getaway right on your back doorstep.
1. Margaret River
This beach town destination just three hours south of Perth in Western Australia is famous for it’s Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. While in town, you can venture out for a morning surf, then stop into one of the many cellar doors in the area in the afternoon. We recommend Xanadu, where you can try the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon that won the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for best young red late last year.
2. Barossa Valley
Shiraz, Shiraz, Shiraz. If you love a full bodied red, then look no further than the Barossa Valley, located just an hour outside of Adelaide. Now home to more than 550 grape growing families, wine makers in the region have been perfecting their craft since 1842. Nestled on the edge of the historic town, Turkey Flat Vineyards is well worth a visit. Run by the Shultz family who can trace back their familial vineyards back to 1847.
3. Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is Victoria’s first wine growing district with a history that spans 180 years back. Less than an hours drive outside of the Melbourne CBD, the valley is by far one of the most convenient getaways for any wine lover. A second home to Melbourne’s foodie scene, visiting any number of cellar doors in the area would tickle the fancy of even Melbourne’s best sommeliers. Perfect for a long weekend getaway, make sure you pop into Tarrawarra Estate for the contemporary architecture of the cellar door, delicious restaurant and infamous art gallery.
The Global Classics:
We all know them – these destinations are on mood boards, bucket lists and feature in almost all preliminary travel planning sessions. These are the destinations you can’t fault – but then again, neither can the rest of the world. We turn up in droves to take in the renowned scenes and drink some of the world’s greatest wines.
1. Napa Valley, USA
Settled about an hour out of San Francisco, the Napa Valley is an American gem. Known for big, muscular, bold and frankly, delicious reds, you can’t go wrong with a Napa wine. It also can be difficult to find a Napa red at a reasonable price in Australia, so make sure you stock up when you’re in the region and upon your return, store your new treasures safely in a Grand Cru wine fridge.
2. Burgundy, France
Burgundy, or ‘Bourgogne’ in France focuses on the soil where some of the world’s best chardonnay and pinot noir grapes are grown. The wine that comes from Burgundy is often set as the worldwide benchmark for these varieties. Located above the Saône River in France, you can visit this region full of small vineyard plots via bicycle for the full French experience. While you’re here, stop off at Clos de Vougeot, best known for its beautiful castle, the walls of which are steeped in almost a thousand years of Burgundy’s rich history.
3. Tuscany, Italy
It is really not possible to write about the best wine regions in the world without mentioning Tuscany. Home of the ‘Super Tuscans’ - Bordeaux-blends of cabernet style wines, this is a region that will never disappoint. Tuscany is also where you will find one of Italy’s most sought after wines (not to mention Megan Markle’s favourite), the Tignanello. For this trip, stay in the medieval city of Sienna on the edge of the Chianti foothills and spend the days indulging with fabulous wines and delicious food. When in Rome right?
The Road Less Traveled:
These destinations take time to get to, but for a determined traveller, the rewards far outweigh the effort. Where you can go and know that very few others in the world are drinking this same wine, besides those next to you.
1. Rhône Valley, France
About six hours south of Paris, not too far from the Italian border, lies the Rhône Valley. The Valley’s history can be traced back to Roman times, when the Rhône was used as a highway through France along which vineyards were planted. Here, between fields of lavender and olive trees, you will taste glorious Shiraz and Grenache based reds. This is the place to come if you’re seeking choice and lots of it, there are 14 historic wine routes and seven different districts through The Rhône.
2. Mendoza, Argentina
The largest wine region in Argentina is best known for its mountains and Malbec, a purple grape variety used in making red wine. With a thriving gastronomical scene, mix state of the art architecture at Zuccardi’s Valle de Uco winery with the stunning peaks of the Andes as your afternoon backdrop. Make the most of your time in the region by staying in the city and rent a car to take you both East and South, visiting both Uco Valley and Maipu.
3. Mosel, Germany
When on the hunt for a world class Riesling, you can’t look past Germany. The third largest and oldest of Germany’s wine regions, Mosel takes its name from the Moselle River that cuts through the hilly surroundings and steep vineyards. Blessed with nutrient rich soil, some of the best Rieslings available hail from this region. With many different styles of Riesling ranging from bone dry to very sweet, Mosel is a great place to test yourself with a blind tasting.
4. Stellenbosch, South Africa
Many are still unaware of the treasures South Africa can offer when it comes to wine. Stellenbosch is a truly picturesque location, surrounded by great, granite mountains dating back approximately 600 million years. Come here to find the unique Pinotage grape variety (a South African crossover between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut developed in the 1920s) and the subsequent Cape Blends it is mixed with. There are seven regions within Stellenbosch to choose from, each with its own truly breathtaking setting with wines to match.
At Grand Cru Wine Fridges, we are passionate about great wine. Contact us to find out more about our high-quality wine fridges today to ensure your wine is always ready to drink.
