While we can debate for hours about what’s the best thing about wine, we believe it is the fact that it allows you to travel all over the world without leaving the comfort of your own home. Think about it - you sit at home, all cosied up on a cold, winter day, and you pour yourself a glass of the finest red Alexandria Cuvee. As soon as you take a first sip, you practically forget about the freezing weather outside, as the tantalizing flavour transports you to the heart of Macedonia’s region, where the sun gives you the warmest embrace, leaving you completely serene and enchanted. And this is only the beginning!
With that in mind, we want to take the time and show you some of the best wine regions from all over the world. As you can already imagine, our planet is filled with countless wine countries, all bearing their own unique touch and magnificence. Granted, travelling to them may burn a rather large hole in your pocket, but luckily, you have a delectable beverage to take you to them at only a fraction of the price. Not to mention the otherworldly experience in your mouth as you’re “travelling”!
So, prepare yourself for a journey of the senses across some of the best wine regions in the world. No need to pack your bags - you already know the trick that will take you to them.
France
Unsurprisingly, France is one of the leading wine-making countries in the world. Considering wine has been made here for over millennia and the country boasts over 200 varieties, we believe the title is more than justified! Not only that, but France produces up to 60 million hectoliters of wine annually. In simpler terms, that’s over 8 billion bottles! Additionally, what makes France an iconic wine region lies in its diversity, specifically its dedication to the craft and how producers are devoted to providing excellent blends that will stay with you even after you finish it.
Loire Valley
Known as the “Garden of France”, you can only imagine how diverse Loire Valley wines are. Offering a vast range from crisp and highly aromatic whites to the richest reds, every wine from the Valley enlivens the senses, resulting in an unmatched experience. The highlights are the most certainly the white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, although, Cabernet is a very strong contender as well.
Bordeaux
Nestled in Southern France, boasting over 290,000 vineyard acres, Bordeaux is simply unmatched when talking about the world’s best wine regions. It is split by the Gironde and Garonne on the left and the Dordogne River on the right, making the wines as varied as the landscapes themselves. Bordeaux wines are usually dry and full-bodied, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot standing as the icons of the region.
Burgundy
Burgundy is mostly famed for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties as they up most of the wine production, but that’s not the only thing that makes this wine region unique. Namely, wine producers in Burgundy are highly collaborative, meaning they buy grapes from smaller vineyards and further mature and produce them. Additionally, it’s uncommon to see producers own both vineyards and wineries here, as wine-making in Burgundy can be rather costly.
Macedonia
It may come as a surprise, but Macedonian wines such as ours are truly one of the greatest ones out there, yet they’re highly underrated. What makes this country a part of the world’s leading wine regions is due to its geographical position, sharing the same traits as those seen in Bordeaux.
Although Macedonia boasts countless wine producers, Tikves Wines stands out for its dedication to quality and innovation. We’ve taken the history of the country to our advantage, resulting in the introduction of various rich grape flavours. Our wines, ranging from delectable reds such as T’ga za Jug or the ever-zesty white Alexandria Cuvee, are created with the utmost attention to detail to capture the true essence of the country’s climate and soil, making us proud representatives of Macedonia’s wine legacy.
Italy
No person in this world hasn’t heard about the brilliance that is Italian wines. This is more than justified considering the country produces the most wines in the world and its vineyards span over one million acres of space. Italy’s divided into 20 wine regions, and we’re bringing you some of the best ones.
Piedmont
Wine lovers will fall in love with Piedmont, the second-largest wine region of the country, right next to Sicily. Aside from the pristine natural landscapes provided by the Alps on three sides, its Barolo wine made from Nebbiolo grapes will put you in awe. The same grapes are also used in the production of Barbaresco wine, though this one has a warmer and drier flavour profile.
Just like Macedonia, Piedmont’s geographical positioning is what makes the blends so tantalizing. The cold from the Alps merges seamlessly with the Mediterranean’s warmth, forming the ideal conditions for viticulture.
Tuscany
This wine region needs no introduction, right? If you’re a couple, it’s most likely that Tuscany was recommended as the ideal honeymoon destination, especially because of its fine dining and wine-tasting experience.
However, Tuscany has poor soil, which is why production is mostly focused on red varieties. The signature Sangiovese grape can be experienced in Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino wines, but you should also keep an eye out on Bolgheri Sassicaia, dubbed a Super Tuscan wine, unique only to this region.
Sicily
In addition to mesmerising seascapes and luxury in practically every corner, Sicilian wine is not to be overlooked. Grapes have been grown here for thousands of years, with the main focus being on fortified blends such as Marsala. Still, due to technological advances, the region’s varieties have expanded to include Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Spain
If you’re craving something sweet and fruity, look no further than Spain! While many regions in this country offer a variety of different blends, one stands as the crown jewel - La Rioja.
Located in a valley in Central Spain, La Rioja is split into three sections - Rioja Alta, Alavesa, and Baja, each boasting unique characteristics. The Spanish wines coming from this region are named ‘Vin Joven’, or young wines, all of which are made in different styles with varying amounts of time spent in casks and bottles. Additionally, ‘Gran Reserva’ is also worth the mention, as this wine sits two years in a barrel, with an additional three in a bottle. In contrast, white varieties must spend at least a year in casks, bringing their ageing length to four years.
Chile
Chile has gained a lot of recognition for its wines in the last couple of years, ultimately becoming one of the leading regions for New World wines. With the Andes running along the borders, the country features many zones ideal for growing grapes.
The signature grape is the Carmenere and it has quite an interesting history. This variety was first planted in Bordeaux, but before they discovered it, many believed that this was a Merlot, receiving the title of Chilean Merlot. Moreover, the variety was thought to be extinct during the 19th century!
New Zealand
Speaking of New World wines, we simply cannot omit New Zealand, especially because of its extraordinary Sauvignon Blanc grown in the picturesque Marlborough region. Due to the cool climate and diverse terrain, the Land Down Under has provided some of the most tantalizing wines on the global scene.
Wine producers in New Zealand pay special attention to sustainability. In fact, the country has become a pioneer in adopting eco-friendly grape-growing practices, ensuring the wine not only tastes excellent but contributes to the environment as well. With that, if you’re looking for sustainable wines, those coming from New Zealand are your best bet!
Beyond Marlborough’s Sauvignon Blanc, famed for its zesty and aromatic flavour, you should also consider New Zealand’s Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
With this, we conclude our round-up of the best wine regions in the world. Our journey has highlighted the diversity and richness of them, contributing to the incredible world of wines. As we come to the end, we invite you to explore the flavours of the underrated entry of this list by purchasing a few bottles of our Tikves wine selection. Each bottle tells its own story, and trust us - you’ll want to get to know all of it.
For even more interesting articles on wine and its production, read the rest of our blogs.
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