13 Best wine regions

Originally settled by German Lutherans in the 1830s, the influence of their wine knowledge is still in evidence across Australia’s most famous wine region. Many of the 80-plus wineries in the region have ‘cellar doors’ which are open for tastings. Household names include Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds and Wolf Blass.

Just north of gourmet Lyon, these 14,500 hectares of peaceful hills are home to 12 appellations, producing well-known wines such as Fleury, Brouilly or Morgon. The rural setting is stunning, and you can drive a 140km circular wine route stopping for tours and tastings.

The world’s premier wine region – and producer of the stratospherically priced Grand Cru reds – Bordeaux is home to 8,500 estates (chateaux) and is a must-visit destination for any wine lover. As well as touring the old chateaux, visit one of the open-air markets to pair world-class wine with exceptional food.

The Cape Town Winelands are set amidst sublime countryside, where quaint homesteads nestle beneath rolling vineyards and towering mountains. Opportunities for winery tours and tastings vie for attention with activities like hot-air ballooning, hiking and cultural visits to the gorgeous Cape Dutch villages.

A vast wine region situated along the Loire River, dotted with postcard-perfect chateaux, encompassing a mind-boggling 63 appellations. More than 7,000 wine growers produce all types of wine from sweet white Coteaux de Layon, dry white Savennieres and sparkling Vouvray, to hearty red Borgueil, Saumur and Chinon.

The vast Maipo Valley offers an unusual diversity of wines, from the sought-after Cabernet Sauvignons of Alto Maipo to the emerging Carmenere wines of Central Maipo. Framed by the snow-capped Andes, this is a stunning location in its own right, with hot springs and rafting activities on the Maipo River.

Since the first major vineyards were planted in the 1970s, Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc wines have met with phenomenal success. World-class seafood restaurants beckon too, as does the marine playground of Marlborough Sound where swimming with dolphins is popular, alongside sailing, kayaking and hiking the surrounding mountains.

The heartland of Argentina’s wine industry, just south of Mendoza city, is a great choice for wine-based holidays, with horse-riding, hiking, biking, rafting and skiing all within striking distance of the vineyards. A thousand-plus wineries offer plenty of choice for tours and tastings, from famous Malbec wines to Tempranillo.

Bound by mountains on either side, the gem among California’s outstanding wine regions is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, though the warm, temperate conditions favour many grape varieties. It’s also one of America’s gourmet heartlands, with world-class restaurants, top-notch spas and a range of outdoor activities to sooth and excite more than just your pallet.

The Niagara Peninsula is home to some of Canada’s oldest and most famous vineyards in what has become a world-class wine-producing region. The charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a short hop from Niagara Falls, is the ideal base for exploring it, touring the vineyards and, of course, tasting the wines.

Sunny Provence has been making wine ever since grapes were introduced by the Ancient Greeks, circa 600 BC. Today, the region grows some of the most prestigious Cotes du Rhone wines, including the reds of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Beaumes-de-Venise, all located north of Avignon.

The steep, south-facing slopes of the Rhine are home to the best of Germany’s 13 wine regions, renowned for the world’s finest Riesling wines. This picturesque, vineyard-filled region is also home to the famous Rhineland castles, traditional wine taverns and many hiking and cycling trails that criss-cross the region.

Bordering the beautiful Basque Country in northern Spain, Rioja is one of the world’s best-known wine regions for good reason. Famed for its rich, punchy reds and the lesser-known Rioja whites, the region lies within striking distance of the dynamic gastronomy of San Sebastian.

As an all-around wine destination, things don’t get much better than Tuscany, home to dozens of world-famous wine regions, including Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano. The beautiful, rolling Tuscan countryside is counterpoised by stunning Renaissance art in the Tuscan cities of Florence, Sienna, Lucca and Pisa.