Despite the uncertain times we are (again) going through at the end of this year, all of us at WineTourism.com still want to keep a positive attitude and start to plan our next wine trips for 2022. We want you all to do the same and dream with us about sipping a glass of delicious red, white or sparkling wine in an enchanted wine region that you are yet to discover.
To say hello to 2022, we put together a list of 10 wine regions that you should add to your travel bucket list for the new year. You will find wine regions spread all around the world, that's why we encourage you to always check the travelling restrictions before booking any wine tasting experience, flight or accommodation.
WineTourism.com Team’s Choice
GALICIA
Galicia is a beautiful region in northwestern Spain that boasts landscapes filled with green valleys and amazing beaches. The region was voted by our team as a must-visit in 2022 because of its dramatic natural landscapes, beautiful villages and especially amazing traditions, delicious cuisine and wine.
Maritime climate dominates most parts of Galicia making it an impeccable region to cultivate crisp white varieties. The main grape variety grown in Galicia is Albariño, a typical white variety which is both highly acidic and aromatic. There is considerably more white wine produced in the region than red, although native red grape varieties like Mencía and Caiño Tinto are grown. They are used to produce sour, medium-bodied red wines.
What to see in Galicia
- Hercules Tower (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Santiago de Compostela
- A Coruña
- Finisterre
What to eat in Galicia
- Pulpo a la Gallega
- Raxo
- Tarta de Santiago
Urban Wine Region
VIENNA
Vienna is unique in the wine world as it is the only capital city where you can find commercial vineyards around and even within the city limits. The first vines were planted and cultivated in the Vienna wine region as far back as 1132 AD. The traditional wine made in Vienna is Gemischter Satz, which is made by blending all the different white grapes grown in a single vineyard. The grapes are grown, harvested, and fermented together.
Within the Vienna wine region there are approximately 630 producers of wine, working mainly from urban vineyards. These vineyards are easy for visitors to explore either by tram or foot, in between a visit to the gorgeous Schönbrunn Palace and the iconic St. Stephen Cathedral.
What to see in Vienna
- Innere Stadt
- Schönbrunn Palace
- Kahlenberg, Grinzing and Dobling
What to taste in Vienna
- Wiener Schnitzel
- Topfenstrudel
- Sacher Torte
Off-the-Beaten Track Wine Region
MUNTENIA
Muntenia is the warmest wine region in Romania and it is located in the south of the country where the favourable conditions enable winemakers to produce excellent quality wines. Bucharest, the capital of Romania lies within the Muntenia region, as well as Dealul Mare which is the best-known Romanian wine district.
White wines from Muntenia present a velvety structure and a medium level of acidity. In some of the areas within the wine region, the soil has a high concentration of calcium carbonate which is perfect for the cultivation of aromatic grape varietals such as Tămâioasă Românească and Muscat Ottonel. Muntenia red wines are well balanced and full-bodied, with a smooth texture. These wines have a long aftertaste and aromas of berries, coffee, spices and chocolate.
What to see in Muntenia
- Poenari Castle
- Bucharest, capital city of Romania
- Curtea Veche
- Prahova Valley
What to taste in Muntenia
- Mititei
- Plescoi Sausages
- Ciorba de Burta
Wine regions in the ancient wine world
BEKAA VALLEY
The Bekaa Valley wine region in Lebanon is considered the home of the country’s modern winemaking industry. It is also one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world and today at least 90% of all of the wine made in Lebanon comes from Bekaa Valley.
The most popular grapes that are grown in the Bekaa Valley are of French origin, specifically Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Other varieties include Cinsault, Carignan and Grenache. Along with the French grapes, some indigenous Lebanese varietals are grown such as Merwah and Obadiah. These grapes are used to produce high quality Lebanese wines such as the famous Musar white blend, a true Lebanese gem. Most of the vineyards in the region are worked only by hand but traditional winemaking methods are supported by more technological tools.
What to see in Bekaa Valley
- Baalbek Ruins
- Temple of Jupiter
- The Aammiq Wetlands
What to taste in Bekaa Valley
- Sfiha
- Hummus Beiruti
- Tabbouleh
KAKHETI
The Kakheti Wine Region is located in the eastern part of Georgia and comprises two river basins, Ivri and Alazani. These rivers have a significant influence on the character of Kakhetian wines. Kakheti is a land whose breathtaking landscape will leave you as tipsy as its amber wine. Artifacts have been found in the territory of Georgia that provide evidence for an 8000-year-old continuous tradition of winemaking!! Wine has been prepared the same manner for millennia, maturing in Qvevri clay jars on pulp (Georgians say “on chacha”). Today, the same winemaking style is still as popular and is an integral part of the Georgian identity.
Kakheti terroir provides ideal conditions for both local varieties and international wine varieties as well. When talking about the Kakheti wine region, the first thing that comes to mind is Rkatsiteli and Saperavi grapes.
What to see in Kakheti
- Sighnaghi
- Alaverdi Monastery Cellar
- Lagodekhi National Park
- Ilia Lake
What to taste in Kakheti
- Chakapuli
- Mtsvadi
- Churchkhela
Wine regions in the old wine world
CAMPANIA
Campania is located in the south of Italy and is world-famous for its many attractions: the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Ischia, Capri, Naples, Vesuvius, as well as several archaeological sites: Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Greek temples at Paestum. The region also has strong historical links to wine and is one of Italy's very oldest wine regions. Wine has indeed been produced here for over two millennia. The mild climate, the scenic beauty, the historical and cultural heritage as well as the artful and loving cuisine together with its distinctive wines from indigenous grape varieties, make Campania a thoroughly livable land.
Due to the big diversity of Campanian terroirs from the hills on the coast to the volcanic soil of Vesuvius and the influence of the Mediterranean, there are many interesting wines to be discovered in Campania. The most popular red wines are certainly Taurasi and Aglianico del Taburno made from the Aglianico grape variety. Among the white wines, the one you need to absolutely try is the fruity Fiano di Avellino, which smells of pome fruit and nuts.
What to see in Campania
- Napoli, capital city of Campania
- Pompeii
- The Amalfi Coast
- Reggia di Caserta
What to taste in Campania
- Pizza Napoletana
- Sfogliatella
- Delicious streetfood in Napoli
BURGUNDY
Burgundy might be a very small wine region, but for sure it is one of the most famous and renowned (and expensive!) wine regions in France. The iconic vineyards of Burgundy wine region extend from the city of Dijon to Mâcon.
What's important to point out about grape varieties cultivated in Burgundy is that essentially, the main ones are only two: Pinot Noir, used to produce Bourgogne Rouge, and Chardonnay for Bourgogne Blanc. Winemakers around Burgundy are convinced that the unique terroir of the wine region is the natural habitat of these two grapes and it enhances all of their best characteristics when turned into delicious, aromatic and complex wines. The appellation where the best Chardonnay grapes are grown is Chablis, while Côte des Nuits is the alleged home of Pinot Noir.
What to see in Burgundy
- Dijon
- Auxerre
- Beaune
What to taste in Burgundy
- Dijon's Gingerbread
- Boeuf Bourguignon
- Snails of Burgundy
Wine regions in the new wine world
SALTA
Located in the northern part of Argentina, the Salta wine region amazes people with its vineyards lost in the middle of the Andean landscape. Salta has the highest altitude vineyards in the world, some over 3 000 meters (9 840 ft) above sea level. The weather and climate in Salta provide large diurnal temperature ranges, creating wines of intense flavor, balanced acidity, and phenolic ripeness.
The red grapes Malbec and Torrontes - emblems of high-quality Argentinian wines - can be considered as the signature wines of Salta. Intense and bright flavour, deep dark colour, black-fruit aromas, and mature tannins dominate the wines of Salta. A unique aspect of Salta wines is the white grape Torrontés Riojano, an indigenous Argentinian variety. This variety produces fine wines with a fruity and dry body.
What to see in Salta
- City of Salta
- Cachi
- Las Salinas Grandes
- Baritú National Park
What to taste in Salta
- Empanadas Salteñas
- Humitas
- Locro
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
South Australia is really the heart of the Australian wine industry as it is responsible for almost half of the country’s wine production every year. The South Australia wine region is very diverse in terms of climate and soil, which means that a range of wines can be produced in the area. Some of Australia’s most well known and world-renowned wines are indeed produced in South Australia.
The wine portfolio of South Australia consists mainly of red wines, most of which are made from Shiraz, especially in the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley appellations. Because of the particular climate of the region, Grenache grows very well here and is often mixed with Shiraz and Mourvedre to produce the famous Australian GSM Blends. White wine is a lot less of a prominent feature in the South Australia wine region except for the region’s world-class and world-famous Riesling that is produced mainly in the Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills.
What to see in South Australia
- Adelaide
- Kangaroo Island
- Blue Lake
- Umpherston Sinkhole
What to taste in South Australia
- Pie Floater
- Grilled Kangaroo
- Fennel Masala and Mushroom Pizza
Our Followers’ Choice
ALSACE
Alsace wine region boasts beautiful hilly vineyards stretching along the Rhine river in the north-east of France. There are 51 designated Grand Cru appellation scattered around two sub-regions, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin.
In Alsace, the majority of the wines (90%) are white and the main aromatic grapes cultivated in here are Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, as well as Alsace Sylvaner and Gewürztraminer. That is why this northern French wine region is mostly known for its fine, elegant and aromatic white wines that present floral notes as well as spicy undertones. However, around Alsace you could also find some plots of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris which is actually a “grey” mutated grape variety, used to produce white wine. Each of the grape variety has its own peculiarity and its own aromas. Nevertheless, some of them are more aromatic and remarkable for their flavours and aromas.
What to see in Alsace
- Strasbourg
- Colmar
- Kaysersberg
What to taste in Alsace
- Choucroute d'Alsace
- Baeckeoffe
- Flammekueche
