If you are planning a European wine vacation, you’ve come to the right place! Winalist provides you with all the information you need to plan your visit to the best vineyards in Europe. With us, you can plan an unforgettable wine trip and choose the best places to visit in Europe – both quickly and easily.
From prestigious Champagne Houses in France to Tuscany wineries in Italy or passing by the Douro Valley in Portugal, Europe won’t leave you disappointed. During your visit to Europe, you will have plenty of choices to discover some of the best wine countries in the world.
Let’s discover best wine trips in Europe!
Best places to visit in Europe: French wine regions
When you think of France, you must think of the Eiffel Tower, baguette, croissant… and wine! But not just any wine, prestigious and world-wide famous wines. It’s no secret that France holds incredible terroir and gathers many parameters that contribute to making excellent, delicate wines with character. French wine tasting is notably unforgettable for all visitors, making this country a must-stop on your European journey.
Below, we’ve listed the top French wine tours you can choose from in the most beautiful wine regions in France, a country where winemaking rimes with ancient traditions and prestigious know-how. Come along and discover these French vineyards and other local wonders with us!
What types of Wine Does Europe Produce?
First and foremost, let’s briefly go over the types of wine that European winemakers produce. There are many diverse regions in Europe where wine growing is prominent. So, whether you’re searching for red wines, white wines, or something entirely unique, such as Cognac, European wine is sure to not disappoint you. With countless grape varieties, Europe is the ultimate wine lovers’ haven. Read more to learn about what grape types are grown in which regions of France.
Bordeaux Vineyards
In the world-famous wine region of Bordeaux, France, you’ll be able to find some of the best wineries in the world. Located in the Southwest Region of France, the Bordeaux wineries embrace their terroir blessed with ample amounts of sunshine all year long, where vines have been producing red grapes for centuries. Bordeaux is humbly considered one of the best wine regions in the world.
Whether you’re a wine-lover or a non-wine enthusiast, Bordeaux is a must-see destination during your European wine vacations you should consider, if you are looking for a combination of:
- Medieval villages, such as Saint Emilion, France.
- Splendid Wine Châteaux that open their doors for wine tastings and immersive wine experiences.
- Dynamic cities that offer many activities within the Bordeaux wine region.
- Bike tours and day-trips along a wine route, including the Médoc Wine Route.
If you’re trying to choose the right wine tour in Bordeaux, we suggest you book a private tour with one of our expert hosts, Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux, who offers a 3-hour tour in the city of Bordeaux to discover its main emblematic monuments. Your guide will then lead you to the Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum, where you will taste four delicious Bordeaux wines.
Champagne vineyards
Champagne, France is known for its famous bubbly wine beverage. Champagne is a land to many boutique producers as well as famous Champagne houses. It’s one of the best choice to add to your visit list while in France to get to learn secrets kept from generations to generations directly from producers.
Even if Champagne is not your favorite wine type, this region’s cities will astonish you with their historical heritage, opportunities for shopping, and beautiful landscapes. For example, the city of Reims, France has been the city of France’s Kings for as long as French royalty has reigned and is home to some of the best Reims Champagne houses.
In a nutshell, here’s a few good reasons to visit Champagne:
- The region’s city of Epernay’s Avenue de Champagne.
- Discovering beautiful city of Reims and all activities it offers.
- Visiting prestigious cellars in Reims: Champagne Taittinger, Champagne Veuve Clicquot, Champagne Mumm, Champagne Moët & Chandon and many more,
A private Tour in the Champagne region
With our host Aÿ Champagne Experience who offer numerous experiences – from workshops to Champagne sabering – they also organize a whole day-trip around Champagne vineyards. You’ll visit 3 families producers, villages and taste up to 10 different ones altogether. Book your Champagne day-trip here!
A day-tour from Reims
A la Française Champagne tour takes you to for private day-trip starting from Reims in the morning. You will visit the Champagne ave in Epernay and discover the cellars of most prestigious Champagne estates. The highlight of this tour? A perfect meal in the vineyards! You will also get to taste up to 10 wines. Prepare for an experience you’ll remember for ever! Book this day-trip to Reims from Paris here!
Alsace vineyards
Alsace wineries have much to offer to anyone who wish to discover the region’s treasures. If you are fond of great white wines, then you don’t even need to think about your decision: Alsace will be your best wine tourism destination in Europe. The region stretches from north to south of the east side of France, which makes it perfect for bike trail along the Alsace Wine Route. If you are more of the outdoor kind of traveler, then you will be delighted with all the walk paths and cycling trails through vineyards, forests and small hills.
Some top activities in Alsace include:
- Visiting beautiful cities like Strasbourg and Colmar.
- Exploring typical Alsatian villages on the Alsace Wine Route.
- If you come during the winter, magical Alsace Christmas Markets.
Burgundy vineyards
Pommard, Meursault, and Nuit Saint-George are charming Burgundy villages that recall the excellency and delicacy that Burgundy wine expresses so naturally. Visit Burgundy if you’re looking to be immersed in wine prestige and discover family wineries that have kept ancient traditions and know-how for generations.
Choose Burgundy for your next European vacation if you want to:
- Visit typical Bourgignon cities as Dijon and Beaune and enjoy incredible cuisine.
- Explore most beautiful villages in Bourgogne.
- Try bike tours on the Grand Cru Route.
- Taste Burgundy wines at prestigious Burgundy wineries and family wine estates.
Best wine destinations in Italy
Tuscany, Italy
While Italy is famous for its architecture, art, fashion, ancient Roman heritage and so much more, Italy is also one of the best wine countries to visit in the world. It’s home to some of the best wine regions in the world. Get ready for incomparable wine trips in Europe if you choose to visit Italy on your European escapade.
Tuscany is one of the first regions you may think of as a wine tourism destination in Italy. And this for good reason! Home to beautiful Florence, Siena and Arezzo, Tuscany is blessed with geographical variety and optimum climate conditions to grow famous Sangiovese grape, that give birth to Chianti wine.
Discover Florence’s region, where Renaissance started, under the story of wine-growers who are proud to express their territory through wine-growing and wine-making.
Campania, Italy
Campania, Italy has strong historical ties to wine dating back to the 12th century BC. It is also one of the oldest wine regions in Italy. Some of its best wines include: Greco, Asprinio, white Pallagrello, Fiano, Falanghina, Coda di Volpe, Forastera and Biancolella. Here, you can also take an unforgettable tour of the ruins of Pompeii, which always proves to be one of the most fascinating archaeological experiences in the world.
Book accommodations in Campania
Umbria, Italy
It is one of the rare Italian regions not to be bordered by water, but it produces several quality local grape varieties such as Sagrantino, Sangiovese or Colorino, but also some international grape varieties, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
You can easily book Umbria accommodations in Umbria with Winalist.
Piedmont, Italy
If you want to know more about Italian wines, Piedmont is one of the most iconic wine regions for you to learn about. Piedmont is considered one of the best wine regions in Italy and, if you visit, it will lead you to discover a new set of grape varieties, from Nebbiolo to Cortese.
Book a wine tour in Piedmont as well as accommodations in Piedmont using Winalist’s easy booking platform.
Sicily, Italy
Sicily, Italy is located in the southern part of this beautiful country. In its entirety, Italy boasts over 6342 wine producers, some of the best of which reside in Sicily. Sicily is a Mediterranean island with a long history and which has inherited a rich and remarkable heritage and culture. Wines are a part of this heritage and many are becoming more and more popular. Delicious wines such as Malvasia, Novello and Catarratto Bianco await you here. On its volcano, Etna, there are 18 hectares of vineyards, exploited since the 17th century. After a guided tour on the volcano, stop in one of the refuges to taste the polpette (traditional meatballs) with a red Etna wine.
Visit Winalist and use our easy booking tool to schedule a unique wine tour in Sicily and to book accommodations in Sicily.
Best wine destinations in Spain
La Rioja, Spain
No one can deny that Spain is one of the best wine countries in the world – and also an unforgettable visit for those interested in Spanish culture, history, and architecture. La Rioja is one of Spain’s primary wine regions and a great destination for your European wine vacation. Located north of Spain, this region count more than 500 wineries that mostly grow Tempranillo and Garnacha grape.
You can find great wine tours in La Rioja, Spain on Winalist! In the mean time, discover what our hosts offer you in famous Spanish wine region, including tours in the Rioja vineyard and wine tastings!
Castile-La Mancha, Spain
Castile-La Mancha is a large region that surrounds the Spanish capital to the south and east. There are table wines with very good value for money, made from a variety of grape varieties. Before heading out to discover the wines, take a guided tour of the enchanted city located in the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park, the second most famous natural monument in the province of Cuenca.
Book accommodations at Castile-La-Mancha
Valencia, Spain
There is also a wide variety of grape varieties including: Monastrell, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. There are also seven growing regions and three classified wine producers. Come for the wine, but stay for everything else. Take a tour to Bocairente where you can travel through the Valencian countryside and discover this beautiful medieval town.
Book a wine tour near Valencia.
Book accommodations near Valencia.
Top Wine Tours in Douro Valley – Portugal
When you think of a Portugal winery to visit, Douro Valley might be the first place that comes to mind. If not, then it’s time for you to discover it! Douro Valley wine tours and tastings can provide an incomparable wine experience while you’re in Portugal.
Not only is Douro Valley a world famous wine region and destination for wine tourism, but it’s actually the oldest wine region in the world, and a UNSECO World Heritage site. Located in the north of the country, the Duoro Valley’s Portuguese hilly vineyards hare home to one world most famous red wine: Port wine.
You will be astonished and magically charmed by the beauty of Douro Valley’s nature, soft hill and infinite vineyard landscape all around you.
On Winalist, a few tours from our hosts stand out from other wine activities. For you to have the best time in Douro Valley and make the most of your European wine vacation, here is the Top 3 Tours you’ll find on Winalist:
- Douro Valley Small Group Tours: a full day of 10 hours together with our host that organize this incredible tour in the Douro Valley. Wine tastings, a meal and a private chauffeur are waiting for you!
- Wine Tastings, Boat Trip & Lunch: an 8 hour tour more focused on the discovery of Douro Valley wines (tastings of 10 wines all together), punctuated with a meal and activities organized by your private guide. If you like boat rides, this is your tour!
- Douro Valley Private Experience: a VIP tour around famous Portuguese wine region. Private guide and a wine specialist will guide you through the tasting of 6 wines, a meal, the visit of villages and boat rides.
Santorini, Greece
Cultivated on the most beautiful island in Europe, the vines of Santorini produce wonderful and fresh wine varieties! Specifically, you will find very sweet white wines as well as delicious sweet dessert wines. These wine varieties are produced in some of the oldest vineyards in all of Europe.
The flavor of these wines is authentic and reflects the maritime environment of Santorini. You can experience it yourself during tastings. You will have the opportunity to join guided tours such as the Santorini Wine Adventure Tour. In Santorini, winegrowers have kept a very special ancestral technique: the “koulara” which consists of rolling up the vine branches in the shape of a small nest.
Book accommodations at Santorini with Winalist today!
Whichever region you choose for your exciting European wine vacation, let Winalist guide you so that you can live the moment and collect memories!
FAQ & Useful resources
What are the best cities in Europe to do Wine Tours?
In France:
– Bordeaux
– Reims
– Strasbourg
– Dijon
– Bandol
– Nîme
In Italy:
– Barolo
– Milan
– Florence
In Spain:
– Valencia
In Portugal
– Pinhão
What European country is famous for wine?
It is hard to choose only one European country famous for wine. As a result, we will give a Top 3: France, Italy and Spain. Even if other countries in Europe also produce wine, these 3 countries are top winners and home to world famous prestigious wines.
What is the most popular wine in Europe?
Each year, wine appellation and wines win prize at international and national auctions. The fame of a wine can come from the main variety of grape, the appellation, the wine estate or the wine region it comes from. As result, there is not one wine that is most popular in Europe, because there are several, and their ranking change each year according to various parameters. To keep it simple, most popular wines in Europe are those from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne in France, Barolo, Tuscuny and Piedmont in Italy, La Rioja in Spain and Port wine in Portugal.
