- Wine Tour Destinations
We’re a small and friendly team of wine holiday travel specialists, big on knowledge and passion. We’ve been drinking wines from every corner of Europe for over two decades, so we know a thing or two about where to go. If you know the style of wine you love but not yet the places it comes from, you’re in exactly the right spot.
In this article, we reveal where in Europe each style shines, from zesty whites to powerful, cellar-worthy reds, to help you discover the ideal destination to visit. Let your palate lead the way!
One of France’s larger wine regions, it boasts plenty of Chenin Blanc and the ever-popular Sauvignon Blanc. Think Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé for great, grassy green wines with mineral character and citrusy notes.
Year round, we recommend spring for the first of the good weather and to see the vines begin to bloom.
The relatively flat landscapes along the river make this a great destination for budding and avid cyclists.
For Alvarinho wines boasting aromas of honeydew melon, lime, lemon, honeysuckle and grapefruit. Plus, this region of Portugal promises incredible hospitality and countryside as lush and green as the name suggests.
Year-round, we recommend late spring or early autumn.
Our local guides recommend visiting towns such as Guimarães, which is often described as the birthplace of Portugal, and tuck into petiscos – the Portuguese answer to tapas.
You may also like… Languedoc-Roussillon. A summer destination, this region in the south of France promises plenty of sunshine as well as Picpoul de Pinet, a refreshing, crisp white with lemongrass and green apple notes. Or Italy’s Piedmont for fresh, elegant Cortese di Gavi, and Veneto for crisp, light-bodied Soave.
For Gewürztraminer numbers lending a hand to the region’s Germanic history. Gewürztraminer wines are exceptionally fragrant, bursting with notes of lychee, passionfruit and rose petal.
The winter is a special time to visit and see some of the world’s best traditional Christmas markets, fairytale scenes and half-timbered houses. Summer is also a great time to visit for luscious countryside not dissimilar to Austria or Switzerland.
Amidst wine tastings and visits to local restaurants (called ‘winstubs’), Alsace is a destination we always recommend for history buffs, and those who enjoy hiking and the great outdoors.
For aromatic Viogniers. This delicate grape has a more floral nose than you’d expect for such a lovely, nutty flavour.
The Rhône Valley is a year-round destination.
Visit prestigious names and perhaps tie in a visit to the much-loved Southern Rhône while you’re in the area.
You may also like… More of Alsace but this time, for Riesling, which manages to be full-bodied while still crisp and citrusy. Alsace is the ultimate destination for anyone who enjoys a floral white wine.
Home to the Chardonnay grape, here you’ll find some delicious, oaky whites in the Côte de Beaune, from famed villages such as Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault.
Burgundy’s mild climate makes it an ideal destination year-round. We recommend autumn to see the vineyards bathed in late-summer sunlight and when the air is still filled with scents of the grape harvest.
What to do in Burgundy
Our local experts recommend visiting renowned producers and enjoying extensive lunches paired with quality wines. You may even get the opportunity to dine with the winemaker.
Enjoy age-worthy, oaked blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Some of the best are produced in Pessac-Léognan.
Bordeaux is a year-round destination.
As well as visiting your preferred châteaux for tastings, participate in wine blending workshops, or wine aficionados will love the Cité du Vin – an interactive wine museum in Bordeaux.
You may also like… complex, oak-aged Chenin Blancs found in the Loire Valley’s Vouvray and Savennieres (Chenin Blanc can sometimes be a dead ringer for oaked Chardonnay.) Or, Ribera del Duero’s lesser known but still excellent oaked whites. And lastly, if bold whites are your taste, don’t overlook a good vintage Champagne for the brioche, buttery flavour that comes from 100% Chardonnay and malolactic fermentation.
Need we say more? The international standard for the very best rosé wines, these pale, medium-bodied styles are delicate and refreshing, dry and not too fruity, and are usually made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre.
If you’re a fan of warm weather, the summer is the best time to visit Provence for the best atmosphere and joie de vivre. However, we recommend spring or autumn for slightly mild, while still pleasant weather, and fewer crowds.
We recommend visiting quintessential Provencal villages, soaking up the sunshine, and tying in a visit to the sparkling Côte d’Azur.
As France’s second largest rosé-producing region, the Loire Valley yields a wide range of rosés to suit every palate, principally from Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Grolleau.
The summer in the Loire Valley promises pleasant, mild weather, and this is the perfect time of year to be enjoying a refreshing glass of rosé wine!
The Loire Valley holds the title ‘garden of France’, so is best enjoyed outside. In addition, we always recommend that history fans visit the region’s extraordinary châteaux which are unlike anywhere else in the world.
You may also like… Veneto – one of Italy’s most diverse wine regions, it benefits from different soil types allowing production of a range of rosés. Grapes include Corvina and Rondinella, amongst others, and Glera – which is used to produce Prosecco rosé!
Pinot Noirs are the grape for you. The Côte de Nuits is home to some of the world’s finest Pinot Noirs in celebrated appellations such as Chambertin and Clos de Vougeot. Wines here are juicy and ripe with a touch of spice, and incredibly smooth tannins.
Burgundy can be visited year-round, making it ideal for a late autumn visit, or spring into summer – red wines here are light, making them an ideal summer option too.
Discover this charming region with its glorious heritage. Dijon is the region’s capital and boasts plenty of history, lively restaurants and some fascinating museums.
Made from the Gamay grape, wines in Beaujolais are like nowhere else, and this picturesque region is sandwiched between some more of France’s big wine names so makes for the perfect multi-region trip. Expect light-bodied red wines known for vibrant, ripe berry and cherry flavours.
When is the best time to go to Beaujolais?
Beaujolais is perhaps best known for its ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’: the easily drinkable wines released soon after harvest, on the third Thursday in November. Although your Grape Escape will include a variety of more aged, complex versions of Beaujolais, a visit at this time of year promises a lot happening with plenty of excitement at the release of the first wines of the year.
Golden stone villages, forest trails… Beaujolais is one of France’s more untouched regions and promises something special. Plus, it’s only forty minutes outside of France’s gastronomic capital and one of our favourite French cities, Lyon.
You may also like… fruitier reds from the Loire Valley. Touraine and Chinon produce some lovely lighter reds made from Cabernet Franc and Gamay. You can also find some lovely medium-bodied Valpolicella wines in Northern Italy which are bursting with fruit flavours.
Italy for the most prestigious wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. The Nebbiolo grape might look light in colour and not dissimilar to Pinot Noir, however it is actually renowned for its high levels of tannin, producing elegant, medium to full-bodied wines. It’s also rarely found in Europe outside Italy, so makes for a unique choice.
The winter is a special time to visit Piedmont as it coincides with the truffle season.
See beautiful landscapes, culture and good food. Piedmont is also the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement, allowing for a focus on local producers, regional cuisine and a slower pace of life.
For Chianti wines. Dominant in Sangiovese, Chianti wines often boast notes of black cherry, leather, tomato and vanilla.
Early summer or early autumn for the most pleasant weather and to see the vineyards at their best.
Our local guides always recommend admiring your picturesque surroundings in rural Tuscany or including time spent in the renowned cities of Siena or Florence.
You may also like… Bordeaux – if you’re a fan of powerful tannins, dark fruit and earthy notes, the Cabernet-dominant Left Bank wines are for you.
Spain’s Rioja produces some excellent Tempranillos, proposing red and black fruit flavours as well as vanilla and cocoa after ageing.
Most wine regions look beautiful in autumn, but the vineyards of Rioja are truly something else at this time of year. If you visit in September, you may get to join in with harvest festival – expect traditional dancers, local food and wine stands. Harvest season also brings opportunity for grape treading and brunching in the vineyards.
Embark on traditional tapas runs to sample the local food alongside the delicious wines! In our opinion, it’s the perfect destination for foodies.
France’s Southern Rhône, where you’ll find the ripe, red fruit Grenache grape blended with Syrah – think Châteauneuf-du-Pape in all its glory.
Year-round. Summers can be hot, so we recommend autumn.
Our travel experts love to walk in the footsteps of the papacy in the fascinating walled city of Avignon, or venture into the picturesque Luberon for a taste of Provence. Wherever you go, enjoy quality cuisine for which the Rhône Valley is famous.
You may also like… Amarone wines from Italy, near Verona. These reds verge on the edge of bold, powerful reds, but many of them exhibit jammy fruit notes such as cherry and plum alongside characteristic dried fruit aromas.
For excellent, powerful reds accompanied by views you’ll find nowhere else.
Summer for the iconic, verdant green hillsides stretching right down to the Douro river – or Autumn for gorgeous, reddish-orange hues.
We often describe this as one of the more diverse wine holiday destinations. Hike vineyard views, cruise down the river on a traditional boat, or even stay overnight in a (converted) wine barrel at unique wine hotel Quinta da Pacheca (stay there in harvest for the ultimate Douro wine experience!).
This island off the coast of Italy produces the bold, powerful Nero d’Avola, with notes of black fruit, coffee and chocolate to be found in oak aged wines.
Sicily is a great destination for the cooler winter months or early spring. Temperatures are mild and slightly warmer than many other European destinations at this time, and you’ll find it nicely empty of other tourists.
We recommend discovering archaeological sites, hike the iconic Mount Etna, and indulging in homemade Sicilian food.
You may also like… Plavac Mali (the bold, flavourful wines with higher alcohol and tannins from Croatia). Some of the red wines from Alentejo and the south of Portugal including the Algarve, where the warmer climate brings out the spicy, peppery notes in the wines. Or 100% Syrah reds from the Northern Rhône.
This sunny southern corner of Spain is known for producing Sherry. While there are both dry and sweet versions available, sweet sherries can be thick, creamy and boast nutty and caramel flavours. Grapes are often dried out in the sunshine in order to achieve the concentrated sugars and flavours.
This part of Spain finds itself with exceptionally hot weather during the summer, so we recommend travelling between October and May.
We recommend exploring the Sherry Triangle, watch authentic Andalusian Flamenco performances, or watch the horses racing on the beach at Sanlúcar de Barrameda (if you’re prepared to visit in August!).
Arguably the greatest of fortified beverages, Port is made by adding grape spirit to the wine during fermentation, and is bursting with flavours of raspberry, blackberry and caramel.
We recommend travelling in autumn to see the beautiful colours on the hillsides, or for the chance to get involved in wine harvest.
Enjoy the region’s spectacular food and cruise down the Douro River by boat.
You may also like… Bordeaux, for the world-class sweet wines of Sauternes.
Made slightly differently from Champagne, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in steel tanks rather than in the bottle which allows for slightly lighter bubbles. The slightly sweeter flavour comes from the Glera grapes.
From mid-April through to October for the most pleasant temperatures and long days to explore the countryside. ‘Primavera del Prosecco Superiore’ is an annual festival proposing a calendar of wine events between March and June.
Our experts recommend staying at one of the spa hotels in the Prosecco hills for a relaxed pamper.
There’s a reason it’s the world’s most renowned sparkling wine region. A trip to Champagne is unforgettable for a special occasion.
Year-round. Visit in early autumn ahead of busy harvest season. Avoid August as many Champenois take their holidays during this time.
Visit your favourite names for unique pairing workshops and private tours or take the opportunity to find some hidden gems in family-run vineyards that are just as special.
You may also like… Loire Valley or Alsace for their crémants. They may not come with the same reputation, but these wines are made in a similar style to Champagne – instead of the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blends, they use other grapes. In the Loire, you can find Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc blended into an excellent sparkling wine, best tasted in the quaint, lively riverside town of Saumur, and our Champagne and Alsace tour is designed for you to take in the best of the bubbly from both of these regions in one trip.
“Rachel Garrod set us up with spectacular travel arrangements, accommodations, meals, and a wide variety of champagne houses to tour and sample. Our entire trip was seamless and we cannot wait to return. We truly believe that Grape Escapes is among the best that we have experienced over the last 20 years of international travel.” – Mary, Google Review
“Congratulations Grape Escapes! We have just returned to Australia from a trip to Burgundy and Provence which was beyond our highest expectations. Well chosen activities that comprehensively provided an authentic and entertaining experience which reflected the areas. Transport coordinated and organised precisely. Delightful hotels that did not disappoint. I could never have organised this itinerary from Australia. I could go on and on and indeed am doing so to all my friends. You won’t go past Grape Escapes for a wine tour.” – Sally, Google Review
“Just wow, wow, wow! Grape Escapes organized a wonderful wine and Champagne tour for us. Kyra and the entire team made sure we experienced all that the Loire Valley, Burgundy (Dijon and Beaune) and Champagne had to offer. They took care of lodging, transportation along with tours, tastings, lunches, and dinners across all three regions. They made our 10 day retirement trip the best! It was more than we hoped for. The only disappointing part of the trip was leaving!!” – Robin, Google Review
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