Countries Every Wine Lover Must Visit At Least Once In Their Lifetime

Imagine sitting under a canopy of twirling vines while the sun rays sneakily peek through from the crevices as you sip on some burgundy. If this sounds like a dream, a holiday across the many countries known to produce some of the world's best wine will feel like one. If you've been looking forward to a vacation where you can sit back and sip wine all day while learning more about the spirit's history, head to these countries.

France boasts 11 wine regions despite being such a small country. Of them all, the sleepy region of Provence is the most well-regarded among wine lovers, as it is known to produce some of the world's best ros&eacutes. Bordeaux is another major hub where you can enjoy the world's finest red wine. During summer, the beautiful countryside finds itself drunk in the colourful spirit of the Bordeaux wine festival. 

This list is incomplete without including Italy, which shares a 4,000 years long history in winemaking. Although different regions in Italy are known to produce their unique type, Tuscany is the most popular destination. You must take a guided tour around Barone Ricasoli winery, the country's largest and oldest, dating back to 1141. 

Wine may be the last thing to come to mind when thinking of South Africa, but the country is home to many of the world's finest wineries. The history of winemaking in South Africa dates all the way back to 1659. You must visit the wineries there if you love all types of white wine, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. The famous town of Stellenbosch, located in Western Cape Province, has 150 tasting rooms. 

Even if Spain may not be one of the largest producers of wine, it shares the most acreage of vineyards. The La Rioja region, specialising in the Tempranillo grape used to make the finest red wines, is the most famous. Three wineries from the area even made it to the list of "top 50 wineries of the world." 

The country is known to be the oldest wine-producing region in the world. Interestingly, archaeologists have found grape pips dating back to 6000 or 5000 BC during several excavations. Georgia's most well-known wine regions are Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti, Adjara and Abkhazia. The country is most regarded for its ancient technique of making and ageing wine using Qvevri, an egg-shaped earthenware vessel. 

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