Europe is home to some of the world’s most renowned wine regions. With UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes, stunning vineyards and exceptional wines, you can’t go wrong.
A tour of this thriving region is the ideal way to experience all that it has to offer. From big names like Chianti, Rioja and Bordeaux to smaller boutique wineries, there is an experience for every taste.
France
In France, wine and food are an integral part of everyday life. From the countryside to the city, you’ll find traditional markets overflowing with local produce, freshly baked breads, artisanal cheeses and gourmet wines, along with restaurants serving up delicious cuisine.
For wine lovers, Bordeaux is a must-visit and there are plenty of great tasting tours to choose from. You can also book a day trip to the wine country of Burgundy. Here, you’ll sample a variety of wines from the region and see how they are produced by visiting vineyards and cellars.
Aside from wine, you can also try some of the country’s best foods on a France tour. For example, in the north of France you can enjoy the thin pancakes of Brittany. Alternatively, you can go on a truffle hunting excursion in the Dordogne region and discover how these precious delicacies are made.
Finally, if you’re a beer lover, Paris is the place to be. You’ll get a chance to sample the country’s craft beer on this 2-hour tour with an expert guide.
If you’re traveling with a group of friends, then consider joining a small-group wine tour to learn about the various regions and their distinct grape varieties. These tours will typically include wine sampling at a few local vineyards and a lunch at a quaint, family-run restaurant.
Aside from wine, you can also book a day trip to the food market of Sotto il Salone. This deli market is like no other, offering high-quality produce from specialized butchers and delicatessens to colorful selections of fruit and vegetables. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of gourmet cheeses, cured meats and more!
Bordeaux
If you’re a wine lover and want to explore France, Bordeaux is a must-visit destination. This region is known for its prestigious wines and delicious cuisine.
You can find a variety of wine and food tours in the Bordeaux area that will take you around the vineyards and to some of the best restaurants in the city. These tours will teach you about the different grape varieties, terroirs and appellations while giving you the chance to sample some of the world’s finest wines.
This 5-day tour is one of the best for wine lovers who want to experience the finest wines of Bordeaux as well as some of the country’s top restaurants. The tour includes meals at some of the finest dining establishments in the city, as well as tours and tastings at a number of renowned chateaux.
Your sommelier-guided wine tour will take you to the region’s most famous wineries and vineyards. You’ll learn about the difference between right bank and left bank wine, terroirs, grape varieties and much more in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with other wine enthusiasts.
In addition to exploring wineries, you’ll visit some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. You’ll also have the chance to hike in the mountains and visit a waterfall.
While in Bordeaux, you can taste some of the local seafood and eat some of the city’s most iconic dishes. A typical food tour in Bordeaux will include crevettes blanches, which are tiny morsels of shrimp that remain white even after cooking and can be paired with Sauvignon Blanc.
Another popular food tour in Bordeaux involves visiting a farm where you’ll get to learn about the farming process and taste fresh oysters. Oysters are a common ingredient in many Bordeaux dishes and you’ll likely find them paired with red wine during your trip.
Burgundy
If you want to experience world-famous wines in a stunning setting, Burgundy is the place to go. Its rolling vineyards, charming villages and historic cities make it the perfect destination for a wine and food tour.
While many travelers visit Burgundy to sample its famous wines, the region has much more to offer. From grandiose architecture to a wide array of medieval castles and churches, there is so much to see.
Youri’s tours of the region have won a number of awards, and he has been named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best wine tour guides in the world. His focus is on making the tours more personalized and enjoyable.
He has extensive experience in the industry and is passionate about educating people about the history of the region, its wines, and the culture. He has also studied at the local wine university, L’Institut Guyot in Dijon, to increase his knowledge of wine.
During the tour, Youri will lead you on tastings of some of Burgundy’s top wines. He will discuss the different levels of quality and how they are classified.
There are over 100 wine growing appellations in Burgundy, and they are divided into four quality levels. The first is known as Grand Cru and only 1% of the wines produced here are classified this way.
The next is Premier Cru, and this represents about 10% of the production in Burgundy. The third is Village wines and this includes the wines produced in the villages of Burgundy that are not classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru.
In the Cote de Beaune, most of the wines are made with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The majority of these are Grand Cru wines, which are very expensive, but there are some excellent value wines available in this area.
Argentina
As the world’s second-largest country, Argentina has much to offer food and wine lovers. With lush landscapes, vibrant nightlife, innovative and award-winning winemakers, and world-class restaurants, Argentina is one of the top destinations for foodies.
The wines of Argentina are a true pleasure to drink, and the country produces some of the world’s best grape varieties. Some of the most popular are Malbec, Merlot, Torrontes, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Whether you’re an avid wine connoisseur or you’re looking for a new way to enjoy a glass of wine, you can discover some of the top vineyards on these trips in 2023. From Buenos Aires to Mendoza, you’ll taste some of the region’s best wines and delicious local cuisine.
You’ll also visit a Yerba Mate production facility and learn about this ancient beverage, which is made from dried yerba mate leaves and other ingredients. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch with an array of different Yerba Mate flavors and paired with the finest wines from Argentina.
Another great option is to take a guided tour of the Lujan de Cuyo wine region, which is known for its high-altitude vineyards. There you’ll sample several Argentine varietals, including malbec, and explore the landscape of this incredible part of the country.
There’s no better way to experience the unique flavors of this country than with an Argentina wine and food tour. During these tours, you’ll have the chance to try the country’s famous dishes paired with a variety of fine wines, from crisp whites to full-bodied reds.
From Buenos Aires to Mendoza, these wine tours in 2023 will show you why Argentina is the best wine and food destination around the world. With endless opportunities for exploring the region’s most stunning landscapes, the best wines, and delicious cuisine, you’ll have a food and wine adventure of a lifetime!
Mendoza
Argentina is a major wine producer in the world, producing some of the best dry red wines in the country. The region is famous for its Malbec grape, which produces highly-complex reds with flavors ranging from tobacco and baking spices to leather.
Mendoza, the capital city of Argentina’s wine-growing region, is one of the best places to visit for a taste of this famous varietal. It has an excellent climate for growing grapes, and its proximity to the Andes Mountains means you can enjoy stunning vistas while sipping on a bottle of Malbec.
Aside from its famed wineries, Mendoza is also renowned for its food. There are many food tours in Mendoza that will show you the authentic cuisine of this beautiful city, such as a cooking class that will teach you how to make empanadas and alfajores.
You can even learn to make a traditional asado (Argentine barbecue) in this gastronomic experience. The food is prepared by a local chef and is paired with a variety of local wines.
This tour also includes a stop at an olive oil factory, so you can sample some of the country’s finest artisan oils. You’ll learn about the process and how to recognize the different varieties of olive oil as well.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, there are several bicycle tours in Mendoza. Some of these are full-day, while others offer a half-day option that makes it easy to get around the vineyards without having to rent a car.
If you’re looking for something a bit more active, there are several bicycle tours in Argentina that will show you the beautiful vineyards and some of the most popular wineries in the area. If you’re looking for a more intimate, small-group experience, there are also private tours that allow you to explore a variety of vineyards and wineries with a knowledgeable guide.