8 Best Wine Producing Destinations

If you have been a regular reader here at Octavian, then you will no doubt have been keeping up to date with our recent guides on how best to condition your wine, the ageing process and of course the ideal cellarage options for various different types of fine wines from around the world.

Today, we have decided to go in a somewhat different direction, following some feedback we have received from a number of our valued customers; that of the best wine producing destinations from across the globe.

There are of course a multitude of great wine producing countries all around the world and how you feel about them will all depend on your palate and whether you prefer red, white or rose.

Below are our favourite wine producing regions here at Octavian and why we feel these are the best places to look for truly superb fine wine.

As particular purveyors of fine Bordeaux, we simply had to start our list of the 8 best wine producing nations with France. Of all the nations we are about to list, the French are perhaps of their wine making legacy and rightly so, as any fans of St. Emilion, Chateau Neuf-Du-Pape, Semillion or any other classic fine French wines will testify.

The sheer vastness of America and the various climates you will find there means that you can find all manner of wines across the nation.

From the Finger Lakes of New York, famous for producing over 100 different wines, to the Willamette Valley of Oregon where you can find similar conditions to that of Alsace and Burgundy; you can find some of the most exciting modern wines on the globe when travelling around the USA.

Although the French undoubtedly produces the finest classics, South America and in particular Argentina is making some the best modern red wines. We have all surely enjoyed a great Argentinian Malbec with a choice cut of steak and this will most probably have emanated from the Mendoza region, where some of the best Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrah’s being produced.

Italy is firmly alongside France as the premier European producers of fine wine, with Chianti being one the most popular grapes around the world. Known as wine country by the natives, Italy has simply perfect conditions for producing vibrant red wines and they also produce refreshing and crisp whites for much the same reasons.

Tuscany is littered with incredible wineries and vineyards and if you are looking to sample some of the best wines Italy has to offer, then the region should be considered a must-visit.

Due to the almost constant sunshine that South Africa enjoys all year round, the region has built up a sterling reputation over the last few decades as one of the best new world producers of wine. Wine destinations such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are all visited by millions every year looking for wine tasting just outside of capital Cape Town.

Due to the climate, you can find some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir’s coming out of South Africa.

We have all enjoyed a great glass of Rioja, but Spanish wine is so much more than that. Barcelona’s cosmopolitan nature and the fine food you can find in this city are complemented by one of the most diverse wine cultures in Europe.

The Garnacha and Tempranillo grapes provide the essence for the finest Spanish wines.

Alentejo in Portugal has over 250 wine producers and the climate in the country is almost perfect for wine production. The nation is extremely proud of its wine production and the Festa da Vinha e do Vinho takes place every year and is one of the best wine festivals you could visit anywhere in Europe.

Tasting wine in one of the “tasquinhas” in Portugal with some local fayre is just about as good as it gets and has established Portugal as one of the very best wine producing countries.

Lastly in our list of the 8 best wine producing destinations in the world is Australia, but this certainly doesn’t mean it is the least preferable. In fact, many believe that Australia is producing the best wine outside of the old world.

Regions such as the Yarra Valley just outside Melbourne have similar nonstop sunshine conditions to South African and Portugal and the scenery in this part of the world is quite breath-taking. Another must visit for any discerning wine fanatic.