Wine regions around the world

If you love to travel and love wine, then we've got a treat for you! We’ve compiled a list of Wine Regions from around the world. From the classic Old World wines of European countries to the New World wines throughout the rest of the world, join us on our adventure to discover the best destinations.

Old world wine regions

Portugal

The main wine regions in Portugal are Minho, Douro and Dao. They are found in northern Portugal and are perfect for wine tours between Spain and Portugal.

Portugal is home to the famous Port or Porto, (named after Portugal's second largest city) and Madeira wines. These are both fortified, strong bodied yet sweet and thick wines that are often used as after-dinner wines or "digestifs."

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Germany

While Germany is known mostly for its beer rather than its wine, it shows in that it produces only 20% of what France produces in wine yearly. Germany’s most famous wines are its sweet white Riesling wines. (Due to its high acidity, Riesling can also be used for dry and sparkling wines.) They are refreshing and slightly sweet, and are perfect for warm afternoons enjoying the Germany countryside. The biggest regions are Baden, Mosel, Palatinate, and Rheinhessen.

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Spain

The two most popular Spanish wine making regions are Rioja and Penedes. Rioja is located in Logrono, with Navarra to its east in the north. The Penedes region is just near Barcelona in north-eastern Spain.

The most popular Spanish wines are the bright red Rioja wines, the white sparkling Cava wines, and fortified Sherry wine in Jerez in southern Spain near the coast by Morocco.

The red wine grape Tempranillo is the second most widely planted grape variety, used to make the full-bodied red wines associated with the Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Penedès regions. In the Levante region, (eastern Spain, near Benidorm), Monastrell and Bobal have significant plantings, being used for both dark red wines and dry rosé.

• Fino Sherry is very light and delicate, often containing 15 to 18% of alcohol.
• Manzanilla Sherry comes from Sanlucar, along the sea coast. The sea air causes the Sherry to develop a salty taste.
• Amontillado Sherry, similar to Fino, is drier, deeper in colour and is left in the barrel longer. It often contains 16 to 22% of alcohol.
• Oloroso Sherry is deeper and darker in colour and has more residual sugar. It is more fortified, and often contains 17 to 22% of alcohol.
• Cream Sherry is very rich and can be a good dessert-style wine.
• Pedro Ximénez Sherry is very rich and a popular dessert-style wine. It's made from raisins of Pedro Ximenez grapes dried in the sun.
• Palo Cortado Sherry is very rare, as it is an Oloroso wine that ages in a different, natural way not achievable by human intervention.

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Italy

As one of the largest producers of wine in the world, Italy's main wine regions are Piedmont, found in northern Italy, Valle D'Aosta in north-west Italy and Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto in north-east Italy. Not forgetting the classic Tuscany to the north in central Italy.

The most widely grown red wine grape of Piedmont is Barbera. Docetto, (its name meaning “little sweet”), grows along side Barbera and is suitable for everyday drinking. Trebbiano is the most widely planted white variety. It is grown throughout the country and is an easy drinking wine known to be aged for 15+ years. It is known as Ugni Blanc in France.

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France

From Bordeaux to Alsace, Burgundy to Beaujolais, Champagne, Languedoc and Cote de Rhone, France is positively one of the world's top wine regions. France is also the largest wine producer in the world, with 37% of the exported wine market share in 2007. The best way to explore these regions is to rent a car and drive through the countryside on your own to and from your bed and breakfast or chateaux.

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New world wine regions

South Africa

Wine has been produced here since the 1600's, however, it wasn't until recent years that its wines have made it internationally. Located nearby just east of Cape Town, wine regions of South Africa include Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester.

With similar climates as Argentina, Chile and Australia's wine regions, South Africa is best known for its white Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay wines, but is slowly developing its red varietals. The top reds are Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. Cabernet Sauvignon was once the favourite and most-produced, but Shiraz is taking over as wineries crank out high quality wines from the variety.

A popular white is Sauvignon Blanc. Producing whites that are dry and crisp, yet rounder than many of its Southern Hemisphere counterparts.

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USA and Canada East Coast

The wine growing regions situated on the east coast are Ontario, Quebec, and New York. While these are classic regions of "new world" wines, production in areas like Niagara and Prince Edward County in Ontario are becoming increasingly larger, being recognised internationally. Known for its sweet ice wines and ice ciders in Ontario and Quebec, these wine regions are littered with bed and breakfasts and cosy lodges for those visiting Niagara Falls and Montreal.

The most famous wine growing regions situated in the USA include California and Oregon with Washington and British Columbia not far behind. The Napa Valley and Sonoma regions in California are the largest wine-producing areas in the US. The region offers small, family-owned, boutique wineries, that are neatly tucked and discovered only by curious visitors who come for sampling of their sublimely flavoured vintages.

Popular reds: Zinfandel, Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay Noir, Maréchal, Foch, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz.

Popular whites: Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier.

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Argentina and Chile

The Andes Mountains and surrounding areas are fantastic wine growing regions, offering a variety from Maipo Valley, Valle Central in Chile to Patagonia and Mendoza in Argentina.

Mendoza is the largest wine-making region in Argentina, growing grapes such as Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Mendoza has become one of Argentina’s top tourist destinations with numerous tourist friendly wineries providing free tours and tastings. Some wineries even provide accommodation.

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Australia and New Zealand

There's more to Australian wine than Yellowtail. Australia has taken the lead in the new world of wines with its mass production of spicy Shiraz wines and strong Cabernet Sauvignons. Hunter Valley, the largest wine production area in Australia, comparable to Napa Valley in California has over 60 wineries. This South Wales valley offers a fantastic selection of shops and restaurants, many of them overlooking luxurious vineyards, making it one of the most attractive and most visited wine regions in Australia.

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