The best wine tourism routes in the world
A trend that is on the rise is tourism related to wine production, since the experience of visiting vineyards, knowing and tasting different types of wines, have made more people interested in this interesting branch of tourism.
The areas of the world that have the right environment to develop wine production are the countries located in the extreme north and south of the planet, thanks to the fact that in these areas, the climate allows the grapes to develop properly.
What is wine tourism?
Wine tourism basically consists of getting to know the vineyard routes and the entire process related to wine production, through special trips, which are often organized by the winemakers themselves or by specialized tourist agents.
The experience would begin knowing the vineyards, delighting you with the natural landscape where the vine grows, learning a little about the harvest, preparation, manufacture and distribution of the wine.
Later, it is common for tastings of various types of wines to be offered together with particular foods from the area ; In general, in establishments called bodegas, you can also buy the wine products of your choice.
The best wine tourism destinations in the world
In this article, we will show you the best wine tourism destinations in the world, covering countries on five continents.
1. Italy
Italy's main wine region is in Piedmont, where you can visit the Langhe and Monferrato region, where the idyllic landscape of hills with vineyards is combined with a small old town with a medieval look that will take you back in time.
With similar characteristics, there is the other region of importance for the production of Italian wines, and one of the most appreciated destinations by followers of wine tourism in the world, Tuscany.
In Tuscany, one of the main wine enclaves is Florence, here you can see the wonders of the Renaissance; visiting the Chianti Valley, to see the vineyards where the wine most loved by Italians is produced, which is 300 years old.
Other wine regions of interest in Italy are: Veneto, Lombardi, Siena, San Gimignano, Sicily and Sardinia.
2. France
The elegance of France that has influenced different periods of history, or in various areas of human activity, such as fashion, architecture, the arts, etc., is also palpable in the manufacture of its wines and its routes of vineyards.
In France there are several wine regions of interest, standing out: Aquitaine (where Bordeaux is located, the most famous city for wine tourism in France), Champagne, Alsace and Burgundy.
In Bordeaux, the ancient architecture of vineyards such as Sauternes, Saint Emilion, or the Upper Médoc vineyards, are combined with modern and sophisticated wineries, such as the City of Wine, or the project called "The Dome", which is a winery shaped like a flying saucer.
3. Spain
Spanish wines are highly recognized, being among the best in Europe and the world, in addition to the fact that in terms of wine production, Spain ranks second.
As for wine tourism destinations in Europe, Spain ranks third, with its 34 vineyard routes that attract nearly 3 million tourists a year, who seek to discover the vineyards and participate in tastings in the cellars.
Some main Spanish wine regions are: La Rioja (the best known and considered by many to be the best), Jerez, Penedés; and during the month of April, when it is the cider season, the Gipuzkoa region is very crowded to drink it.
4. New Zealand
In recent years, New Zealand wine has acquired worldwide prestige and notoriety thanks to the care of its production, its most outstanding wines being: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
Nearly 40,000 hectares of vineyards are cultivated in New Zealand, so it will be easy to find wineries and vineyards throughout the country; however, the Marlborough and Hawle's Bay regions will be the best destinations to learn about New Zealand's wine culture.
Locals often recommend tourists who want to see their vineyards to take the trip by bicycle, as it is a much more interesting experience.
5. Chinese
China's potential to produce goods and do business has made this country have overwhelming economic development in recent years, and one of its new commercial forays in recent years has been wine.
For the beginning of this decade, China is considered the second country with the largest area cultivated with vines in the world.
The most important wine regions of this country are to the north, with Ningxia being one of the most important wine tourism destinations in China.
As in the countries where this type of tourism is developed, those who make the trip through wineries and vineyards participate in local food tastings, however, in China you can also try wine-based facial masks.
6. South Africa
Speaking of vineyards often recalls temperate landscapes, in which the African sun seems to have no place, however, South Africa is located on the southern line that allows the proliferation of vines, being the main wine tourism destination on the continent.
Wine has been produced in South Africa for at least 300 years, and is currently among the top ten producers worldwide, offering quality wines that are appreciated throughout the world.
The vineyard route in this country is located very close to Cape Town, in the region known as Franschoek, where the hills of the vineyards have the beautiful African mountains in the background.
On these routes you can taste the different types of South African-produced wine, with the particularity that they are accompanied by chocolates, oils, cheeses and even oysters.
There are hundreds of different wineries with different styles, some more modern, while others are colonial in style. In each one of them you will be assured of having a good time.
7. United States
The top vine-growing state in the United States is California, with world-famous wines and beautiful locations that give you a break from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
Very close to Los Angeles or San Francisco, is the Californian Vineyard Route, which has approximately 3,000 wineries, with wine tastings and gastronomic tastings.
The climatic conditions of California are fundamental in the production of its wines; the rainfall in this territory is lower than that of countries such as Spain or France, American wines have more graduation than their European peers.
The most important places are: The Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita, the Temecula Valley, or the Madera wine circuit, which is one of the youngest regions where this precious drink is produced.
8. Chili
South America also has two countries that are flags in wine production, with excellent quality wines and incredible experiences when visiting their vineyards.
One of these countries is Chile, where climatic conditions greatly favor the development and production of vines, and several wineries and vineyards can be visited.
The most outstanding Chilean vineyard routes are:
Casablanca Valley: With about 12 vineyards, it offers the opportunity to visit the vineyards on horseback, tasting excellent food and wonderful wines.
Aconcagua Valley: The world-renowned Viña Errázuriz is located, in addition to being very close to a region of pre-Columbian petroglyphs.
Limarí Valley: It has several important vineyards with beautiful views and produces a good wine, thanks to the climate similar to the Mediterranean area and the mineral wealth of its soils; a place worth knowing.
9. Argentina
Among the main wine producers worldwide, Argentina also has a prominent place, being in the top 5 of wine production.
In Argentina, wine has been produced since colonial times in the 16th century, and this experience has allowed it to evolve in its production to an optimal level, with the ability to offer some of the best wines in the world.
When we talk about wine routes in Argentina, we are talking about getting to know entire provinces, their customs and their people, unlike the aforementioned destinations, the Argentine vineyards have a certain distance from each other, so you should get to know a few at the same time.
The main regions are:
Mendoza, which has had international recognition and is the main wine region in Argentina.
Salta, which produces high-quality wines, between 1,700 and 3,000 meters above sea level.
Tucumán, where the world-famous Argentine Cavernet Sauvignon is produced.
La Rioja, with its 35 different wineries full of activities for wine tourism.
These are some of the best wine tourism destinations in the world, to discover magical places, learn new things and live new experiences accompanied by a good landscape and a good glass of wine.
