The Best Wine Regions Around The World

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  • by JILLIAN DARA
  • on JANUARY 14, 2025
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Travel

The Best Wine Regions Around The World

By Jillian Dara January 14, 2025

The contemporary wine world sees new vineyards regularly emerging around the globe. There are some countries, however, that will always top the list of must-visit world wine regions, producing must-try wines. The reason being: history, legacy, and the quality of their wines.

Below, discover some of the famous wine regions around the world that emanate these characteristics—both Old World and New World—and learn about the signature styles of wine that helped define their leading global repertoire.

Braden Tavelli Photography
Napa Valley, Photo courtesy of Braden Tavelli Photography

USA

In the United States, the West Coast is synonymous with Wine Country but in recent years, lesser populated pockets of viticulture have garnered attention for their unique offerings, from Texas to Virginia. Still, California is the largest wine producer for American viticulture, accounting for about 80 percent of the total U.S. wine market.

Napa Valley

In California, Napa Valley is the preeminent wine region with now 17 AVAs focused on producing the best Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Merlot are the second and third most planted grape varietals in Napa Valley, respectively, followed by Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Franc. It endures as the United States’ most famed wine region, thanks in large part to the 1976 Judgment of Paris, the blind tasting competition in which a 1973 Chardonnay from Château Montelena and a 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars out-scored their counterpart French wines. Today, the region captivates with a booming tourism industry, showcasing grand estates, acclaimed dining, and luxurious accommodations.

Sonoma County

Sonoma County is generally cooler than Napa Valley as a result of coastal breezes and fog; this provides an ideal climate for Chardonnay (the most planted grape variety) and the finicky Pinot Noir. Both grapes are used to craft single varietal wines, but also high quality sparkling varieties which are typically dry and refreshing in Brut style. Although Sonoma is moderately cooler, there are still pockets of the region where Cabernet Sauvignon is successful, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Zinfandel. Widely known for its dedication to sustainable viticulture, Sonoma County also shines for its commitment to local fare, as evident through the region’s numerous farm-to-table restaurants.

Willamette Valley

Further north, California’s neighboring state of Oregon is a region that’s celebrated for its Pinot Noir, especially from the Willamette Valley. The Mediterranean climate here is also suitable for white wines, including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Home to two-thirds of Oregon’s wineries, along with beautiful scenery and unique towns, it remains the most visited of the state’s wine regions.

Rogue Valley | Medford
Rogue Valley, Photo courtesy of Travel Medford

Rogue Valley & Walla Walla Valley

Other major wine regions in Oregon include the Rogue Valley, where Spain’s Tempranillo grape thrives, and the Walla Walla Valley (partly in Oregon, partly in Washington), where bold reds like Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon are most successful. In addition to great wine, each region offers a range of activities, from outdoor recreation to shopping.

Chaumont-sur-Loire castle in Loire valley | Shutterstuck
Chaumont-sur-Loire castle in Loire valley, Photo courtesy of Shutterstuck

France

Aside from its centuries-old history with wine, France earns its top ranking because of the quantity of exceptional wines it produces across all styles. These include premium white wines, first growth red wines, and Grand Cru sparklers, otherwise known as Champagne.

Champagne

Champagne is a cool climate region in northeastern France that’s home to some of the world’s best sparkling wines. The appellation comprises five sub-regions where only seven grapes are legally classified for Champagne production—the most popular being Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, with the four other authorized grape varietals as Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Champagne is a top destination for immersing oneself in rich history and stunning vistas.

Loire Valley

In central France, the Loire Valley is renowned for its production of top-tier white wines, particularly Sancerre, which is produced from primarily Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The dry white wine displays a flinty minerality which is influenced by its chalky soil; it must be produced in the Sancerre appellation of the Loire Valley to be labeled this way. Other popular white grapes in the Loire Valley include Chenin Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne. The Valley is a gorgeous place to sip wine in the vineyards or on a tasting room terrace as it’s known as the Garden of France for its puzzle-like vineyards sprawling as far as the eye can see.

Bordeaux

Furthest south, Bordeaux is the famed red wine producing region, where Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot comprise the majority of Bordeaux blends. Malbec and Carmenère are also grown here for use in Bordeaux blends. The town of Bordeaux is divided  by the Garonne River, so you’ll hear locals and wine lovers refer to the “Left Bank” and “Right Bank”. Aside from how the river splits up the city, in the wine world, the Left Bank Bordeaux blends tend to be Cabernet Sauvignon dominant (bold and structured) whereas Right Bank wines are Merlot dominant (silkier and softer).

Barolo Wine Country | Shutterstock
Barolo Wine Country, Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Italy

Similar to France, Italian wine is celebrated for its enduring history and vineyards tucked into every corner of the country, from northern Bolzano to its southern island of Sicily. There are more than 1,300 recorded grape varieties in Italy, some of which are used in wines that never leave their estate; this is why wine lovers prioritize visiting Italy as they can taste these singular, limited production wines from the source (and for a reasonable price).

Tuscany

Tuscany is the most sprawling wine region in Italy with 52 designated appellations that each specialize in their own signature wines. Chianti, the largest designation, crafts an eponymous wine from a majority of Sangiovese grapes. Montalcino is known for using primarily Sangiovese grapes in its reigning Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano also relies on Sangiovese. Other important grapes in Tuscany include international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which are permitted in Bolgheri’s covetable Super Tuscans (Toscana). Vernaccia, which is prevalent around San Gimignano and Trebbiano, is another key grape in the region. It’s used to make a variety of wines, including the sweet wine called Vin Santo, which is often enjoyed after meals with a biscotti-style cookie called cantucci that you dip into the sweet wine to soften.

Piedmont

In northwestern Italy, the rolling hills of Piedmont are where Nebbiolo is prized for its production of Barolo, a full-bodied red wine with distinguishing descriptors of tar and eucalyptus and known for its ageworthiness. Barbera and Dolcetto are two other prominent red grapes of the Piedmont region, both known for having lower tannins than Barolo.

Sicily

At the southern tip of Italy is beautiful Sicily, where winemaking dates back to ancient times. Sicily’s island locale, Mediterranean climate, and volcanic soils result in distinctly unique wines; the most famous being Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, and Frappato for red wines. Mineral-forward white wines include Grillo and Carricante, the latter of which is usually the prominent grape in Etna Bianco.

Tekano Central Otago | New Zealand Winegrowers Inc
Tekano Central Otago, Photo courtesy of New Zealand Winegrowers Inc

New Zealand

The vineyards on the island country of New Zealand benefit from a cool maritime climate; the long growing season sees warm, sunny days but the air is cooled by coastal breezes to ensure grapes retain their acidity.

Marlborough

New Zealand’s aforementioned growing conditions make it an idyllic growing region for Sauvignon Blanc, especially in Marlborough—known as the sunniest region in New Zealand. The stony soils of Marlborough are responsible for its Sauvignon Blanc’s often “grassy” qualities alongside subtle stone fruit; the wine is high in acid and light bodied. The region, located at the northeastern tip of the South Island, also produces stunning dry Rieslings and the majority of the island’s sparkling wines.

Central Otago

In Central Otago, the dry climate allows the Pinot Noir grape to flourish; the resulting wine bursts with fresh fruit, marked tannins, and high acidity. Mineral forward Chardonnay is also popular throughout Central Otago, and in recent years, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer have emerged as successful varieties. This South Island region is one of the furthest from the ocean, therefore mountain adventures like white water rafting and cycling are popular pastimes, should you decide to get the adrenaline pumping in between days of tasting.

Vineyard in Stellenbosch, | Shutterstock
Vineyard in Stellenbosch, Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

South Africa

South Africa and its 60 appellations date back to the 17th century, and yet the country still offers impressive value for money when it comes to their high-quality wines. Ancient soils and four sub-climates (subtropical, temperate, arid, and Mediterranean) permit a variety of grapes’ success.

Stellenbosch

Though Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship grape in the sheltered valley of Stellenbosch, where the climate is hot and dry with cool, wet winters, this region is also known as the birthplace of Pinotage—a grape born from the crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault in 1925 that’s since become South Africa’s signature grape. Other renowned varieties include Shiraz (Syrah) and Chenin Blanc. There are a number of farmhouse style hotels in Stellenbosch where you can stay on vineyards to taste their best wines from the source.

Elgin

To the southeast of Cape Town, Elgin delights with its repertoire of aromatic varieties, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, which all benefit from the region’s cold climate as their expression is an elegantly balanced palate of fruit and acid. The mountain-encircled wine region is as famed for its scenic hiking trails as its wine, so be sure to tack on an extra day to experience the landscape from a different perspective.

South America Wine
Photo courtesy of South America Wine Guide

Argentina

In South America, Argentina’s high-quality wines come from vineyards planted at high altitude in the Andes Mountains range; this unique geographic position translates to definitively unique wine in the glass as a result of large diurnal swings (temperature shifts from day to night). Hot, humid days are followed by cool nights over a long growing season, which results in grapes with both full flavor and lively acidity. Similar to South Africa, Argentine wines boast a notable value for price.

Mendoza

Mendoza is the most popular wine region in Argentina; the hot location is prime for slow ripening, cold intolerant red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and the country’s most important grape, Malbec. The climatic conditions combined with the alluvial soils (a mix of sand, silt, and clay) of this region all create red wines with a bold, rich, and spicy flavor profile. In addition to visiting bodegas (wineries), Mendoza is a top destination for outdoor activities like hiking and horseback riding.

Patagonia

An emerging Argentine wine region is Patagonia, the southernmost region in the country where the Andes are usually capped by freshly fallen snow, even in the summer months. Patagonia is a cold climate, which shows promise for red grapes like Pinot Noir and Merlot as well as white grapes like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewürztraminer. Of course, the region is famous for drawing outdoor enthusiasts, who come for its stunning natural landscapes and mountain climbs.

Conclusion

From rugged hillsides to valley floors, the top wine regions around the world shine with quality wine in a range of styles that reflect their unique terroirs, climates, and traditions. Exploring these iconic destinations is not only a chance to deepen your appreciation for the craft of winemaking, but an opportunity to connect to the rich histories and cultures that shape every bottle. But don’t feel limited to this list—we’d suggest adding all the major wine regions, from Spain to Germany, Chile to Australia, to your bucket list, as every destination offers something truly special to discover.