France's Germanic jewel — aromatic whites in a fairytale landscape
Best month
September / October
Don't-miss producer
Domaine Weinbach (Kaysersberg)
Tip: Drive or cycle the Route des Vins from Marlenheim to Thann — 170km, 3–5 days
320 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/alsace
Old-vine Shiraz and antipodean warmth
Headline style
Barossa Shiraz
Don't-miss producer
Penfolds (Magill Estate)
Tip: The Barossa is compact — most major wineries within 20km of each other
118 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/barossa
The world's most prestigious wine capital
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Left Bank red
Don't-miss producer
Château Margaux
Tip: Allocate separate days for Left Bank and Right Bank — very different styles
525 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/bordeaux
The holy grail of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Côte de Nuits Pinot Noir
Don't-miss producer
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Tip: Beaune is the perfect base — central, walkable, surrounded by grands crus
420 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/burgundy
The world's only true sparkling wine region
Headline style
Non-vintage Brut
Don't-miss producer
Moët & Chandon
Tip: Épernay's Avenue de Champagne on a weekday — quieter cave tours
350 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/champagne
Port wine country and dramatic terraced vineyards
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Vintage Port
Don't-miss producer
Quinta do Crasto
Tip: Book quinta visits and accommodation well in advance for harvest season (September–October)
280 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/douro
Australia's oldest wine region — Semillon of astonishing longevity
Headline style
Hunter Semillon
Don't-miss producer
Tyrrell's Wines
Tip: Pick up an aged Hunter Semillon from a cellar door — Tyrrell's Vat 1 or McWilliam's Lovedale are the benchmarks
150 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/hunter-valley
South Australia's sun-drenched cellar door capital
Headline style
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Don't-miss producer
d'Arenberg
Tip: Start with d'Arenberg Cube for orientation — the terrace view over the vale is unmatched
200 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/mclaren-vale
High-altitude Malbec and Andean grandeur
Don't-miss producer
Catena Zapata
Tip: Use Mendoza city as a base — day trips cover Luján de Cuyo, longer day or overnight for Valle de Uco
320 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/mendoza
The world's steepest vineyards — Riesling of breathtaking precision
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Riesling Kabinett
Don't-miss producer
Egon Müller (Wiltingen, Saar)
Tip: Combine Mosel with Saar for a 5-day itinerary — Trier is a natural base
280 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/mosel
The world's most celebrated wine valley
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Cabernet Sauvignon
Don't-miss producer
Opus One
Tip: Book tasting appointments 2–4 weeks ahead, especially on weekends
1,188 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/napa
Spain's most intense red wines from ancient llicorella slate
Best month
September / October
Don't-miss producer
Álvaro Palacios (Gratallops)
Tip: Combine Priorat with neighbouring Montsant DO for contrast — similar landscape, more approachable prices
95 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/priorat
Spain's iconic wine country with world-class architecture
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Rioja Reserva
Don't-miss producer
Marqués de Riscal
Tip: Rioja Alavesa + Rioja Alta together in a 3-day loop from Logroño
432 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/rioja
Rioja's cool upland heartland — classic Tempranillo from clay-limestone soils
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Tempranillo
Don't-miss producer
R. López de Heredia (Haro)
Tip: Book López de Heredia and La Rioja Alta S.A. tours in advance — they fill up fast, especially on weekends
210 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/rioja-alta
South Africa's wine capital — mountain-framed vineyards and Cape Dutch grandeur
Best month
February / March
Headline style
Cabernet Sauvignon
Don't-miss producer
Meerlust Estate
Tip: Base yourself in Stellenbosch town — walkable, excellent restaurants, and central to all sub-regions
200 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/stellenbosch
Rolling hills, cypress trees, and Italy's greatest wines
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Chianti Classico
Don't-miss producer
Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Tip: Base yourself in Greve in Chianti for Chianti Classico day trips
452 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/tuscany
Austria's UNESCO wine valley — Riesling and Grüner Veltliner on Danube granite terraces
Best month
September / October
Headline style
Riesling Smaragd
Don't-miss producer
F.X. Pichler
Tip: Two to three days allows a full exploration — base in Krems for transport links or Dürnstein for atmosphere
70 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/wachau
Oregon's Pinot Noir heartland — cool-climate elegance
Best month
September / October
Don't-miss producer
Domaine Drouhin Oregon
Tip: Base yourself in McMinnville — central location with excellent restaurants and accommodation
500 wineries mappedthewinetrip.com/regions/willamette