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A brilliant way to get a feel for a country’s culture is by exploring its local cuisine – particularly its wines.
Across the world, each country’s wine regions offer something distinct, with unique grape varieties and winemaking rooted in local traditions. Whether it’s the renowned wine regions of France and Italy or newer vineyards in North and South America, there’s a whole world of wine to explore.
Some key wine regions around the world
Europe
Europe is home to many significant and historic wine regions. Each has its wine styles, grape varieties and winemaking traditions, contributing to the diverse and rich world of wine. Here are some key ones to note:
Bordeaux, France: Known for world-class red blends, mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and sweet white wines such as Sauternes.
Burgundy, France: The well-known French wine region is famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine, and the region is also home to Beaujolais, known for Gamay-based red wines.
Champagne, France: The birthplace of traditional method sparkling wine, predominantly made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Rhône Valley, France: Known for its Syrah wines in the North and Grenache-based blends in the South.
Loire Valley, France: This region produces a variety of wine styles, from crisp whites such as Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) to sweet and sparkling wines and Cabernet Franc reds in Chinon.
Tuscany, Italy: Recognised for its Sangiovese-based wines, like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Also home to the famous Super Tuscans.
Piedmont, Italy: A key Italian wine region, Piedmont is famous for its Nebbiolo-based Barolo and Barbaresco wines, as well as Moscato d’Asti and Barbera.
Rioja, Spain: Known for its Tempranillo-based red wines, which are often aged for several years before release.
Douro Valley, Portugal: The origin of Port wines, and now also known for high-quality, dry red wines.
Mosel, Germany: Renowned for its steep, slate-soil vineyards and light-bodied, high-acid, aromatic Riesling wines.
The Americas
Vineyards across North and South America grow a range of native and international grape varieties. Combined with modern winemaking techniques, winemakers here make exciting, high-quality wines. Noteworthy regions include:
California, United States: Napa Valley is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines, among other varietals. Also in California, Sonoma offers a range of wine styles due to its diverse microclimates. It’s known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
Willamette Valley, United States: Situated in Oregon, Willamette Valley is celebrated for its high-quality Pinot Noir, along with Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
Finger Lakes, United States: Located in New York, the Finger Lakes region is known for its Riesling and other cool-climate wines.
Mendoza, Argentina: As the largest wine region in Argentina, Mendoza is world-famous for its Malbec wines.
Central Valley, Chile: This broad region produces a wide range of wine styles. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Sauvignon Blanc are particularly noteworthy.
Canada: Known for its ice wines, the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario also produces excellent cool-climate wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With its range of microclimates, Okanagan Valley in British Columbia makes an array of wines, from ice wine to Bordeaux-style red blends.
Africa
Africa has a few significant and historic wine regions, particularly in South Africa and Morocco.
Both countries have long winemaking histories, with South Africa’s dating back to the 17th century with the arrival of the Dutch and French Huguenots and Morocco’s even further to the time of the Phoenicians and Romans. Today, wine regions in these African countries are known for producing high-quality wines that express their regional uniqueness.
Western Cape, South Africa: The Western Cape province encompasses several well-respected wine regions in South Africa, including Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Swartland. Stellenbosch is perhaps the most well-known, renowned for its high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style red blends. Paarl is particularly recognised for its full-bodied, fruit-driven red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage – South Africa’s signature grape. Swartland has become increasingly recognised for its old-vine Chenin Blanc and Rhône-style blends.
Constantia, South Africa: One of the oldest wine-producing areas in the Southern Hemisphere, Constantia is known for its premium cool-climate wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon and its sweet Vin de Constance.
Walker Bay, South Africa: This coastal region, particularly the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley, has gained a reputation for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Meknes, Morocco: Located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Meknes is the heart of Morocco’s wine industry. It’s known for its rich, full-bodied red wines, primarily from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah varietals.
Australasia
Australasia, encompassing Australia and New Zealand, has several key wine regions known for producing outstanding wines. Here are some of the most significant:
Barossa Valley, Australia: Located in South Australia, this is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious wine regions, famous for its full-bodied, richly flavoured Shiraz.
Margaret River, Australia: Margaret River in Western Australia is known for its premium wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Yarra Valley, Australia: This cool-climate region in Victoria produces high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
Hunter Valley, Australia: One of Australia’s most recognised wine regions, notably for its unique style of Sémillon and its earthy Shiraz.
Marlborough, New Zealand: Renowned globally for producing the distinctively aromatic, zesty Sauvignon Blanc that put New Zealand on the wine map.
Central Otago, New Zealand: The world’s southernmost wine-producing region, Central Otago is particularly known for its deeply flavoured Pinot Noir.
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand: New Zealand’s oldest wine region and the second largest, Hawke’s Bay is known for high-quality Bordeaux-style blends and rich, full-bodied Chardonnays.
Taste the world with a wine subscription
When starting your international wine journey, navigating through different regions and varieties can feel like a challenge without the help of Google Maps. But you can make it an easy and enjoyable adventure with a Laithwaites’ Wine subscription.
Our specialists map out a pocket-friendly tasting journey for you, carefully handpicking a compelling line-up of wines (be it red, white or a combination) from renowned wine regions worldwide for you to explore and enjoy.
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About the author
Chris Larkin
A seasoned copywriter with over two decades experience, Chris has been part of the team since 2021. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find him either working on our latest catalogue or creating informative content for our website. Qualified to WSET Level 3 Wine, Chris is as geeky about wine as he is about copywriting. But when it comes to choosing a special bottle, he is a traditionalist, and loves a good Bordeaux or Mâcon Chardonnay.
