From mini-breaks to epic road trips, red wine lovers have plenty of options when it comes to holidays that combine travel with the opportunity to taste some fine red wines. There are ever increasing numbers of companies offering wine tasting tours in all the world’s wine growing regions and the increased competition means there are some good price deals to be found. So, whatever your budget, there’s likely to be a wine-tasting holiday to suit you. Those who like to be pampered and have a suitably high budget can sign up to luxury breaks that combine trips to vineyards with luxury accommodation and fine food, while those who like to set their own agenda might want to consider hiring a car and exploring their chosen region or regions at their own pace. Camping, picnics and meals at rustic local restaurants can be a charming and cost-effective way to see the world’s great wine producing regions.
For many red wine lovers looking for a wine-tasting break in Europe, the most obvious place to start is France. There are some good deals to be found on weekend breaks in the beautiful Burgundy region in the east of the country. Here, red wine enthusiasts can sample some really terrific wines while taking in some equally impressive views and some fine local cuisine. There are countless wine estates to be found here, especially in famous red wine producing regions such as Beaujolais and there are some excellent Pinot Noirs to be sampled too. France as a whole is a good bet for a wine holiday, as the climate and terrain lend themselves well to grape cultivation. France also has the advantage of being easily accessible from the UK via air, sea or even by rail thanks to the Eurostar.
Another smart option is Spain and in particular the La Rioja region. Rioja red wines are considered by many to be Spain’s finest. With vineyards stretching endlessly into the horizon, beautiful landscapes and a temperate climate, a wine tour of the La Rioja region is a perfect spot for a relaxing short break. It could also be combined with a longer wine tasting trip taking in several European destinations such as the famous wine growing regions of France and Italy. The latter is awash with regions producing fine red wines, such as Piedmont, home to robust Barolo wines, often referred to as the ‘king of red wines’. The nearby Barbaresco region is another key destination, with beautiful scenery and some fabulous red wines.
Further afield, there are ample opportunities to sample New World red wines while taking in some wonderfully exotic locations. Those who like to play things relatively safe can take inspiration from the hit film Sideways and embark on a wine-tasting tour of California. The Napa Valley is an obvious place to start and fans of Zinfandel red wines will be in their element here. California’s year-round sunshine makes a wine tasting trip here a real treat and of course there’s no language barrier to conquer.
Alternatively, wine lovers can embark on a South American adventure and try the wines of Chile and Argentina. These two countries produce some of the best-regarded New World red wines, including fine Merlots, Syrahs and Cabernet Sauvignons. Embarking on a do-it-yourself tour can be a good value and exciting way to see these famous wine-producing countries. Argentina, in particular, remains an inexpensive country to visit. At the other end of the scale, there are several companies offering all-inclusive trips that include internal flights, accommodation in top hotels and all meals.
Fans of South African wines have some good options too and trips to vineyards can be combined with nature-reserve safaris for a truly memorable break. A good place to start is Franshoek, a beautiful town in its own right and within easy reach of many vineyards.
Australia and New Zealand, meanwhile, are gaining an ever-growing fan base among wine lovers and some of the best-respected New World wines are to be found in these countries. For the ultimate in relaxing wine holidays in laid-back Oz, combine a trip to the major wine-growing region of Margaret River with a few days chilling by the beach in Sydney. Don’t miss an opportunity to sample a Shiraz from Barossa Valley if you get the chance, it’s one of the finest New World reds to be found anywhere on the planet. New Zealand wines might have been virtually unknown until recently, but today the country has wine buffs chattering excitedly. The stunning landscape is an appeal in itself and by heading to New Zealand now for a wine-tasting holiday you’ll beat the hordes that will surely be heading here in a few years.
A great place to start for more information is Wine Travel Guides and take a look at their blog for some great wine holiday reports.
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Thanks so much for the mention! And, for those readers planning your travels independently in France, Tuscany or Rioja, our guides are full of information on the most interesting wine producers to visit, as well as recommended places to stay, eat and shop, and much more. If you need extra help, consider contacting us about our tailor-made service to help you plan your route.
One important tip if you are driving over from the UK and planning to purchase red or any other wine, you must be careful with wine left in your car (or in a coach if you are on a coach trip). Sure, there’s some security risk, but I’m talking about the very real risk to the quality of the wine if you leave it for more than a couple of hours or so in the car on a hut day. Make sure you protect the wine properly and park in the shade or in a cool underground car park – you’d be surprised how quickly your valuable purchases can be ruined.
Might I draw your attention to http://www.wineholidays.net a bespoke Wine Tour company specialising in Coach holidays for groups of wine enthusiasts visiting France and Spain.
Led by Wine Writer and Educator Stephen Barrett visits include Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Langedoc, Alsace and Champagne. Spain’s tours include Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Flexible arrangements and pick ups can be arranged Contact at the first instant if interested.
No problem Wink – glad we were able to mention your guides and your website.
Thanks for the tip about not leaving wine in the car. It ties in with an interesting article in Decanter this month about storage & provenance. Amazing how easy it is to ruin a great bottle of wine!
Stephen – thanks for your comment and happy to have your company listed here. Would be great if you were able to link to us sometime or to let people know about our site if you liked it.
Fraser, Nice overview on wine travels!
We love wine travel over at http://www.gourmetkazoo.com; our mission is to help vineyards promote their tours and tastings to travelers around the world.
Come check us out sometime! For example, here’s our growing directory of European wine tours and wine tastings
Cheers!
Ryan
CEO of gourmetKAZOO