Joy of the Heart and Soul - Five of the Best Wine Tourism Destinations in Europe

Europe is filled with long-standing winemaking traditions. And autumn is the best time for wine tourism in Europe. The three largest wine-producing countries are undisputed - Italy, France and Spain. They are confidently at the top of the ranking. However, other countries also have a lot to recommend. Germany, Austria, Greece, Ukraine, Hungary and Croatia will open their best destinations for wine lovers in Europe.

‘Wine is the joy of the heart and the joy of the soul,’ said Hryhorii Skovoroda. ‘Wine makes the tongue free and the heart light.’ - added William Shakespeare. ‘Wine is the highest expression of the love of life,’ said Ernest Hemingway. So who are we to argue with such experts? Each wine is unique and you will definitely find the best of the wine destinations in Europe.

France, Bordeaux

It is the dream of every wine connoisseur to visit this one of the most famous and ancient wine regions in the world, located in the south-west of France. Bordeaux offers tourists many opportunities for recreation, excursions, oenological and gastronomic tourism. Here, the green of the vines turns into the blue of the sky and sea as the Gironde flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Bordeaux châteaux, as estates with their own winery are known in France, often offer not only excursions but also hotel and restaurant services.

Bordeaux is one of the world's leading wine regions and specialises in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot blends. In addition, this region is known for producing small amounts of white Bordeaux and a deliciously sweet wine known as Sauternes. For example, Château d'Yquem from the Sauternes region of Bordeaux is the pinnacle of collectible sweet wines. When this bottle sold for more than $70,000 at Zachys in Beverly Hills in 2004, it became the most expensive bottle of non-red wine ever sold in the United States, as well as the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold in the United States. The wine was 157 years old at the time of sale.

Hungary, Eger

The wine industry in Hungary is characterised by a large number of small rural wineries. The production of home-made wines is at a high level, and having visited several of these family wineries, you can get to know the owners, taste their wines, evaluate and compare them. These wines are distinguished by their low price and absolutely unique taste. Eger is home to the most famous wine route in Hungary, called the Valley of the Fair Lady. It is unknown outside Hungary, and this certainly adds to its charm. There are about 200 authentic wine cellars in the valley.

In July, namely from the 10th to the 12th, we recommend visiting the Bull's Blood Wine Festival in Eger. The festival has an ancient legend about its origin, many traditions, and offers various tastings and other entertainment. You will find special vintages and award-winning wines from the Bordeaux Olympic Wine Games - all at a very affordable price. Don't miss the opportunity to taste these treasures and become a real sommelier for a moment. When in Eger, try the Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood), which is a ruby red wine with a rich aroma, and the Egri Csillag (Eger Star), an elegant light wine that is symbolic of the region.

Croatia, Istria

It seems that the Phoenicians and Greeks brought grapes to Istria, one of the best wine destinations in Europe. The indigenous settlers of that time, the Histories, successfully cultivated this noble plant and mastered winemaking. There is a legend here that the Argonauts, famous Greek sailors, while searching for the golden fleece, shouted a word that means good wine in a loose translation from Greek. This place still has this name today. Istria has become synonymous with good wine thanks to the hard work of people and, above all, the natural features that guarantee high quality grapes - soil, climate and topography.

There are two dominant soil types on the Istrian peninsula: red and white. Experts say that red soil is ideal for plantations of high-quality red grape varieties that produce well-structured, full-bodied wines, while white soil is ideal for white varieties - soft wines that retain their freshness along with a delicate aroma. The hilly lands with gentle slopes that abound in Istria are ideal for winemaking. The most famous wine of Istria is Malvazija istarska. A slightly lesser-known vintage wine is Muškat momjanski, made from the White Muscat grape.

Ukraine, Transcarpathia

Transcarpathia is a historic wine-growing region. The slopes of the volcanic Carpathians, plenty of sunshine and ample water have led to the development of winemaking in this region since ancient times. Transcarpathian wines were supplied to the courts of medieval kings and nobles and even to the presidents of modern states. The culture of Transcarpathian winemaking is unique because it has combined Hungarian, Italian and Austrian traditions over the course of history. It is the result of this mix that has created such an interesting and colourful product - Transcarpathian wine. This year, the Transcarpathian winery Chizay won a gold medal at the international Mundus Vini competition. Two vintage dessert wines from Chateau Chizay have become ambassadors of Ukrainian winemaking at La Cité du Vin in France - the legendary white wine and the new red wine ‘Rose of the Carpathians’, which was released in late 2023.  

Along with Transcarpathia, Tavria and Southern Bessarabia also have a long tradition of winemaking in Ukraine. The terrain here seems to have been created for wine production, and the climate is very favourable for growing grapes, which has been actively developed here since the nineteenth century: in the mainland and on the Crimean peninsula. As a result of Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine lost hundreds of thousands of hectares of vineyards and a number of well-known wineries. However, winemaking traditions are still being preserved and continued on the mainland. The Russian war with constant shelling of the main wine-producing regions of Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv and unfavourable climatic conditions have significantly reduced Ukrainian wine production by 30%. 

Italy, Tuscany

Tuscany, one of the best wine destinations in Europe, is located in central Italy. It stretches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tuscany is like a large bottle of wine, lovingly crafted and carefully aged: the longer you contemplate its rich hues, the better you get to know the region. It's only natural that the sunny hills of Tuscany are home to some of Italy's most famous appellations, including Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Carmignano. Food, of course, is a big part of the wine tasting culture here. 

Antinori Chianti Classico is one of the oldest wineries in the area, operating since 1385, and will guide you through the historic vineyards, but especially through its modern and very spacious cellars. The winery, nestled among olive groves and geometrically shaped vineyards, is virtually hidden, as most of it is underground. The Antinori family has been making wine here for over 600 years.

Choose a destination and start your journey! Want more inspiration? Discover the best culinary destinations in Europe as well.