The best places to taste the finest wines.

Thinking of taking a classic wine tour or just adding the finest sips to your travels. Here are some suggestions for the finest wine tasting destinations. From classic European Wines through to the excellence of the New World, as possibilities all year round.

Europe

The Rhine. Take a river cruise from Cologne (Köln) down this majestic historic waterway to Rüdesheim via Koblenz and the Moselle River. Have the best the best Riesling in the world as you watch the vineyards glide by. Many celebrations in mid to late August, including the Rüdesheim wine festival the second weekend in August.

The Loire. Wines and Château in perfect synergy in this beautiful mid France region. Time your vacation with the harvest festivals in early September throughout the region or perhaps for some excitement at the nearby Le Mans motor racing circuit. View the stunning architecture as you sit sipping your Chenin or Sauvignon Blanc.

Going Global

Australia tour the Adelaide Hills or the Barossa Valley for the finest in South Australia wines or if you are based near Sydney taste the best in New South Wales in the Hunter Valley. From Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon, or light tastes Chardonnay and Semillon. Australia has it all. You would have to be very unlucky not to catch a food and wine festival in Australia, at any time!

New Zealand discover the microclimate of the Marlborough Region in the middle of the North island with the famous Marlborough food and wine festival the second weekend in February and you can merge this with the art deco festival in Napier nearby the following weekend. Sitting Napier as you get taken back 90 years or watch the cricket sipping your Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir. Does life get any better than this!

South Africa offers excellent wine tasting in the Western Cape and other regions specialising in Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. Arrange a tour, mix it with an iconic cricket test match in Cape Town or take the opportunity opportunity to take a drive on the world famous Garden Route which is best between November to February. There is a large 'WineFest' in early September in the Western Cape alternatively later in the season there are many harvest festivals in early March.

Argentina, watch the Gauchos demonstrating their horse riding skills while sipping Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo or Malbec looking over the Andes in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. Take an organised tour or higher account for you knows and arrange with your local hotel visit to the vineyard such as the Michel Rolland’s vineyard (picture above). There are many harvest festivals the first full weekend in March. Why not add value on your visit watching the Tango in Buenos Aires or head south to Patagonia

Feeling romantic, Chile offers the perfect opportunity for fantastic sightseeing and excellent wine from its deserts in the north to its Antarctic cool in the south it can grow almost any type of wine but if it’s specialisation you’re after then Merlot & Sauvignon Blanc of the central valley hard to beat. Did you know the travel writers ‘Fodor’ rated a wine tour of Chile is the best tour for a honeymoon, an excellent way to start a good marriage. There are many harvest festivals in early March.