Top 10 wine regions in the world

Whether you are wine tasting in a rural vineyard or grand wine cellars, you’ll know where to book your next hotel with this guide to the top 10 wine regions in the world.

Underground cellars in King Valley, Australia

North-east Victoria’s King Valley is Australia’s own Mediterranean wine region. A contemporary, 40ft tower marks the underground tunnels and tasting room at Sam Miranda, near Wangaratta, where cabernet sauvignons await. Or try muscat at the Brown Brothers’ Milawa cellars.

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Shiraz from Nashik, India

Monsoon-protected, west coast Nashik provides perfect grape-growing conditions in India. Sample New World shiraz and merlot at the 34ft-long bar in Sula estate’s stylish tasting room. A mosaic balcony overlooks the rolling vineyards and Gangapur Lake.

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Art and sauvignon in Western Cape, South Africa

Tour the South African Western Cape’s five Stellenbosch wine routes in style by helicopter. Hover over the valleys and land on the crest of the rugged Helshoogte Mountain Pass at the Delaire Graff Estate. Here, the 230-tonne cellar doubles as a contemporary art gallery.

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Sideways to Santa Ynez, California

Follow the fictional Sideways movie characters, Miles and Jack, through Santa Barbara’s scenic Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Taste full-bodied pinot noir from the Hartley Ostini winery’s steakhouse The Hitching Post II, made famous by the film.

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Valley wines in Marlborough, New Zealand

Savour Marlborough whites by an open fire overlooking the Richmond Ranges national park at Cloudy Bay’s Cellar Door. Or take tasting notes at the Villa Maria estate in the Wairau river valley in South Island’s sauvignon region. 

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A family estate in Chile

Find the wine-rich Casablanca Valley in the west of Chile, close to Valparaiso port. Dine on local produce in the Tanini vineyard restaurant, or listen to expert oenologists on a tasting course at Casa del Bosque in Santa Rosa. This boutique winery sells small but perfectly produced family reserves. 

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Chateau country wine-tasting in Vouvray, France

Just 10km east of the Loire Valley’s capital Tours, vineyards line the rugged, steep slopes and chalk plateaux around quaint Vouvray. Arrive in March to sample the latest chenin blanc, or in August to get tipsy at the Foire aux Vins wine festival. 

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Icewine in Canada

Frozen grapes are hand-picked on the Niagara Peninsula to make riesling and oak-aged dessert icewine. Learn how to pair wines with palatable dishes in a six-course meal with a top sommelier, or have toasted icewine marshmallows with icewine martinis for lunch. 

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Bodegas in La Rioja, Spain

Explore the 1858 Herederos del Marqués de Riscal bodega museum in Elciego, nicknamed “the city of wine”. Guggenheim Bilbao’s architect Frank Gehry also designed the titanium, wine-themed hotel at Marqués de Riscal in the Rioja vineyards 

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Dalmatian island wine in Croatia

The Romans were the first to grow vines on the sea-facing terraces of the Dalmatian island of Korcula. Now the Peljesac Peninsula’s dry, golden posip is the wine of choice at Croatia state banquets. 

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