With so many excellent wine regions throughout the globe, it can be challenging to narrow down the top producers to just a few.
In this article, we’ve listed the most prolific regions that continue to remain popular among enthusiasts.
Keep reading to discover the best wine regions in the world.
French Wine Regions
France is home to some of the original Old World regions. With over 200 indigenous varieties, it’s one of the largest producers and consumers of wine in the world.
Bordeaux
In southwest France, Bordeaux boasts 90% red wines, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Bordeaux blends. With over 290,000 vineyards, it’s one of the most famous French wine regions and a paradise for wine lovers.
Loire Valley
Located along the Loire River in western France, this region boasts an array of styles, from sparkling wines like Vouvray to tannic red Chinon and light-bodied Muscadet. Most of the winemaking emphasis is on white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, with the top red wine here considered Cabernet Franc.
Rhône Valley
With about 150 miles of vineyards stretching along the Rhône River. This region produces wines of all types, namely Syrah, Grenache-Syrah blends, and white blends like Marsanne.
Burgundy
Situated in eastern France, this region focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which comprise 98% of production.
Champagne
Known for its most famous wine, Champagne, the European Union declared it illegal to label sparkling wines outside of this northeast region as “Champagne.” Other notable varietals produced here include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.
Italian Wine Regions
The biggest wine production country, Italy, is home to twenty regions and 1.7 million vineyards.
Veneto
Located in northeastern Italy, this region is the largest wine producer in the country. One of the most famous appellations here is Prosecco. Well-known wines include sparkling wines from the Glera grape, Soave made from white grapes like Garganega and Valpolicella, and red blends from Corvina grapes that range from light to full-bodied.
Marche and Abruzzo
With a winemaking heritage from the Romans, these neighboring regions are famous for producing white Verdicchio and striking reds crafted from Sangiovese and Montepulciano.
Tuscany
With romantic landscapes and picturesque villages, Tuscany remains one of Europe's most prolific wine-making regions. It produces internationally recognized styles, from dry white wines to full-bodied reds to sweet wines. Chianti is made from the native Sangiovese grape. Many Tuscan wines bear the label of DOC or DOCG, the top level of Italian wine.
Piedmont
Located at the foot of the Alps, which is prime for grape growing, Piedmont produces more DOCG wines than any other Italian region. This region is famous for the Barbera grape, which boasts classic sour cherry flavors and high acidity, and Nebbiolo, which produces the iconic Barolo wine and sparkling sweet wines like Moscato d’Asti.
Lombardy
While this is the largest Italian region in terms of population, Lombardy is famous for just two sparkling wines: Franciacorta, which is made from white grapes like Chardonnay, and Lambrusco, which is red and fruity.
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost wine-producing region and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily has boasted prime viticulture for over two millennia. Sicily is most famous for Nero d’Avola, a wine that tastes like black fruit, spices, licorice, and cassis. Other wines include Syrah and light and herbal wines like Grillo and Frappato.
U.S. Wine Regions
The United States is one of the top producers of New World wine. Below are some of the most renowned regions.
Napa Valley, California
Perhaps the most famous California wine region, Napa Valley, is located near San Francisco and is most well-known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, which is responsible for 40% of the region’s overall production.
Sonoma County, California
Next to Napa is Sonoma County, home to 19 appellations and 60 grape varieties. This area has everything from crisp sparkling wine to robust reds; over 99% of their vineyards are certified sustainable.
Santa Barbara County, California
Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 ‘Top Wine Region of the Year,’ Santa Barbara is home to over 70 grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grenache, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. The traverse mountain ranges that funnel cool ocean breezes from the Pacific make it perfect for grapes to thrive.
Edna Valley, California
Located South of San Luis Obispo, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, this small viticultural area is known for its nutrient-rich volcanic soils and cool climate varietals like Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Syrah, Viognier, and Albariño.
Paso Robles, California
One of the most central California wine regions, between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is home to eleven diverse sub-appellations and 40,000 acres of vineyards. It is most known for its Cabernet Sauvignon but has a strong reputation for Rhône varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Located in the northwest corner of Oregon, this cool climate-growing region is known for the best Pinot Noir. However, it also boasts expressive Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), vibrant Chardonnay, and aromatic Riesling.
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
With over 130 vineyards and 3,000 acres of vines, Walla Walla Valley boasts some of the best wines in the state. It was even crowned ‘America’s Best Wine Region’ by USA Today and was named Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 ‘Wine Region of the Year.’ Walla Walla is known for its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.
Northern Virginia
Virginia's viticulture dates back to the 1700s, though it didn’t fully take off until the 1980s. The birthplace of American winemaking now boasts 4,000 acres of vineyards and prestigious wines like Bordeaux-style blends.
Texas Hill Country
The fifth-largest wine-producing state, Texas is home to over 500 scattered wineries and makes excellent Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Malbec, Vigioner, as well as lesser-known varietals like Muscat Canelli, Lenoir, and the white hybrid Blanc du Bois.
Finger Lakes, New York
The most essential AVA in New York, Finger Lakes, has been the center of the state’s wine industry since the 1860s. Today, it boasts over 130 wineries and 11,000 acres of vines. Noteworthy varietals include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and sweet sparkling wines made extra sweet by noble rot on the vine.
Snake River Valley, Idaho
With moderate climates, minimal rainfall, 65 wineries, and 1,300 acres of vine, the high elevation of Snake River Valley makes it especially conducive for excellent Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
La Rioja, Spain
Northern Spain’s most prolific wine region, Rioja, produces all wine categories but is most famous for the prominent native grape, Tempranillo. These wines are typically somewhat sweet, not super dry, and have high acidity.
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Less than an hour's drive from Cape Town, this region boasts intricate Cape Dutch architecture and 130 wineries offering tastings and tours. Stellenbosch is known for its superior wines, especially red ones from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Wineries like Kanonkop, Rust en Vrede, and Jordan Wine Estate are exceptional.
Douro Valley, Portugal
The Douro Valley is most famous for producing Port, a sweet dessert wine fortified with brandy. The rugged terrain and steep hills offer prime growing conditions for red and white wines. Wineries like Quinta do Vallado, Quinta do Crasto, and Symington are worth exploring here.
Barossa Valley, Australia
Located in South Australia, the Barossa Valley is known for its world-class Shiraz, which is rich and full-bodied. Wineries such as Penfolds, Henschke, and Torbreck are some of the best places to visit and taste the iconic wines of this region.
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza produces high-quality red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. However, it's most renowned for Malbec, a dry-style red wine. Argentina produces some of the best Malbec in the world.
Marlborough, New Zealand
New Zealand’s most famous wine region is known for its fresh and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Discover brilliant wineries like Cloudy Bay, Brancott Estate, and Kim Crawford.
Maipo Valley, Chile
Located south of the capital city, Santiago, Maipo Valley has been nicknamed “South America’s Bordeaux.” This red wine-producing region is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
Mosel, Germany
The Mosel wine region is most famous for high-quality Riesling, which boasts freshness, bright acidity, and mineral nuances. Wineries like Dr. Loosen, Joh. Jos. Prüm and Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt offer a unique wine experience in the region.
What Country Makes the Best Wine?
No matter which of these iconic regions you visit, you’ll find exquisite wine. If you’re interested in Old World wines, check out France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. For New World wines, turn to North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.
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