Gone are the days when wine tasting was limited to local wineries or national borders.
Today’s consumers crave authentic wine experiences where the wine is grown.
In Europe, where the wine economy is largely export-driven, tasting rooms tend to be family-run. This means there may only be one person serving visitors, and appointments are often difficult to schedule.
The United States, Australia and South Africa have adopted a more open attitude, establishing wineries to accommodate tourists and ordinary visitors.
No matter where your wine tour takes you, consider these questions before you go:
- What kind of wine do you like?
- What type of experience are you interested in?
- Do I need to make an appointment?
- Will there be food on site?
- How are you going to get there?
Old World Wine Tour
France
Of France’s 11 wine regions, Bordeaux, Burgundy (or Burgundy) and Champagne are the most famous.
Bordeaux is known for its rich red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, while Burgundy is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Champagne produces sparkling wine made from the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.
While in Bordeaux, visitors can visit the Cité du Vin wine museum, explore elegant chateaus, and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants. Bordeaux is the only city in Europe with a winery within its city walls. Some are accessible by bicycle or tram.
Chateau Angelus in Saint-Emilion, France, is listed as a “wine worth visiting” on the Viniv Bordeaux website.
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Burgundy offers stunning scenery, dotted with vineyards and dotted with centuries-old castles.An area of its vineyards called “Climats” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Champagne region is worth visiting, and not just for the bubbles. Wine tours with some established producers may include visits to old underground wine cellars that were used to hide from German soldiers during World War I.
Montagne de Reims is one of the five sub-regions of the Champagne wine region.
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Most popular French tasting experiences must be booked in advance. In addition, business hours vary from region to region.
Travelers should consider hiring a driver in the Burgundy and Champagne regions. Alternatively, river cruises (on the Rôlon) are a great way to visit these magnificent wine regions.
Italy
One of Italy’s oldest wine regions, Tuscany is a beautiful region of rolling hills, cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards.
Chianti classico is Tuscany’s main attraction, but Montalcino’s brunello is also a big draw for aficionados. Although both are made from the Sangiovese grape, their flavors are completely different.
Vineyards in the Chianti wine region of Tuscany, Italy.
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Wine festivals are an easy way to enjoy local Italian wines. In Tuscany, the village of Greve hosts the Chianti Classico Wine Festival in mid-September. Also in autumn, the Piedmont town of Alba hosts its popular wine and truffle festival. Parking can be difficult, so visitors may consider ridesharing or taking a taxi.
Hiring a driver is recommended in Tuscany; the area is mountainous with many curves and narrow roads. Similar to France, visitors should make reservations in advance.
New World Wine Tour
New World wine tourism is casual and relaxed. Reservations are rarely required and most tasting rooms are open seven days a week.
USA
California is best known for wine tasting, although nearly every state in the continental United States has a wine region or wine tourism area.
Known for its bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley is America’s premier wine region.Visitors can drive among the vineyards, bike the Napa Valley Wine Trail, or book a wine tour Napa Valley Wine Train.
Tourists taste wine at Freemark Monastery Winery in Napa Valley.
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Sonoma is a vast region with rolling hills and 50 miles of rugged coastline. It is famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, and in warmer regions it also produces some Zinfandel. The tasting room is spread out so more time is needed to explore.
The best way to visit both areas is to book a driver, preferably one with connections to the wineries. While advance reservations were once the norm, now many tourists walk in for a tasting. However, appointments are still preferred.
Other states with booming wine tourism include Texas, Washington, Oregon, Virginia and New York.
Australia
Australia is at the forefront of wine tourism.
Most wineries and tasting rooms are known as cellar doors. A few areas to consider include Victoria’s Yarra Valley; the Barossa Valley near Adelaide and Margaret River, about two hours’ drive south of Perth.
Helen & Joey Estate’s wines are housed in the company’s “cellar door” in the Yarra Valley wine region outside Melbourne.
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Wine tourism in the Yarra Valley is easily accessible, with cellar doors open daily and wineries less than a mile apart. On-site dining and even lodging are common, making the area easy to visit.
Many large producers host concerts and outdoor events showcasing the region’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and some sparkling wines.
Margaret River offers great surfing and wine tasting opportunities. Visitors can look for unoaked Chardonnay and Bordeaux blends. Its winding roads are famous for frequent kangaroo crossings and driving is recommended.
The Barossa is one of Australia’s oldest wine-growing regions, with approximately 200 wine cellars within a two-hour drive of Adelaide. Here you can sip wine while spotting koalas and kangaroos. Many grape varieties are grown in the valley, including Grenache and Riesling, ensuring there is something to suit most tastes.
South Africa
South Africa may be considered a New World wine region, but Constantia has been a premier wine-tasting destination for centuries.
Opened in 1685, Groot Constantia was South Africa’s first wine farm.It is situated among the other vineyards that make up the area Constantia Wine Routea 20-minute drive from Cape Town.
A tourist wine tour bus passes through vineyards in the Constantia wine region of South Africa.
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Stellenbosch is a popular region with an established and bike-friendly wine route. The area is also home to world-class restaurants.
Certain wineries can be reserved in advance, but most are open daily. The country’s top varieties include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz, showcasing the diversity of South African wines.
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