Sipping on a glass of wine may be the classic way to unwind or connect with friends, but its story runs much deeper…
Wine has played a meaningful role in the history, identity, and evolution of countless cultures and regions. At Tauck, we believe in showing guests both celebrated wine regions and emerging ones alike, opening the door to a broader world of tasting. You’ll discover what has long been considered iconic and find joy in the “hidden” treasures that may soon become the next world-renowned vintage.
That’s why we love weaving wine into our journeys – whether it’s visiting a vineyard, a curated wine tasting, or a private lunch among the grape vines – it brings a deeper connection to the places we visit.
France
| Wine Region | Tours | Signature Grapes | Wine Highlights | Regional Wine Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux |
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Sauvignon Blanc |
From bold red blends to sweet whites and cellar-worthy vintages, each sip delivers standout character. | Iconic region – Home to vineyards since Roman times, this storied region stands as a global benchmark for fine wine. | |
| Côtes du Rhône |
Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre |
This region is home to red, white, and rosé wines that are admired for their versatility and impressive value. | Iconic region – Defined by its balance of tradition and accessibility, this region is shaped by its historic crus and villages. | |
| Alsace |
Riesling Gewürztraminer Pinot Gris Muscato |
Unlike most of France, Alsace labels its aromatic whites by grape, not place. The region’s four key grapes define the expressive and bold flavors of the wines. | Popular region – Established in 1953, the 170km Alsace route winds through medieval villages and hillside vineyards, rich with Franco-German heritage. | |
| Loire Valley |
Sauvignon Blanc Chenin Blanc Melon de Bourgogne Cabernet Franc |
Constantly captivating visitors with their wines’ distinctive fruit flavors, the Loire Valley is loved by many. | Iconic region – Known as the “Garden of France,” the Loire Valley has been a cradle of viticulture since Roman times. |
Italy, the Mediterranean & the Adriatic
| Wine Region | Tours | Signature Grapes | Wine Highlights | Regional Wine Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscany |
Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon |
Where rustic charm meets bold Tuscan innovation – Chianti and Brunello shine in this celebrated region. | Iconic region – With roots tracing back to the Etruscans, Tuscany is storied with Italian winemaking. | |
| Piedmont |
Barbera Dolcetto Nebbiolo |
Savor the range of Piedmont’s reds – versatile and age-worthy elegance. | Popular region – Even through periods of isolation, Piedmont has preserved its deep-rooted viticultural traditions. | |
| Sicily |
Nero d’Avola Frappato Grillo Carricante |
From bold reds to crisp whites, elegant sparklers to fortified Marsala – this region offers remarkable variety. | Emerging region – Blending tradition with innovation, Sicily leads in organic viticulture while honoring its indigenous roots. | |
| Nemea (Peloponnese) | Agiorgitiko |
A hidden gem crafting crisp wines, refined reds, vibrant sparklers, and indulgent sweet wines. | Emerging region – Nemea is one of Greece’s most historic and productive wine areas with history from the Roman era. | |
| Konavle Valley |
Malvasija Dubrovačka Plavac Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon |
Sun-drenched reds from mountain-lined Adriatic vineyards balance with warmth with refreshing crispness. | Emerging region – Dating to the Roman era, this region’s small family producers honor the past by reviving native grapes and traditional methods. | |
| Montenegro |
Vranac (Red) Krstač (white) |
The Mediterranean’s rocky soils and warm climate produce expressive, sun-ripened wines with a strong sense of place. Indulge in dark-fruited reds known for their warmth. | Emerging region – though Montenegro has a long history of winemaking, it’s gaining international attention for preserving indigenous grapes and traditional methods. |
Central Europe
| Wine Region | Tours | Signature Grapes | Wine Highlights | Regional Wine Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosel | Riesling |
Discover mineral-driven whites with subtle sweetness and refined elegance. | Emerging region – As one of Europe’s oldest wine regions, its steep riverbanks still reflect the legacy of Roman viticulture. | |
| Mittelrhein Wine Route |
Riesling Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) |
Steep Rhine terraces produce aromatic whites brimming with bright acidity and stone minerality. | Emerging region – the Mittelrhein is one of Germany’s most scenic wine regions – dotted with castles, vineyards, and medieval towns. | |
| Wachau Valley, Austria |
Grüner Veltliner Riesling |
A picturesque region crafting ripe, age-worthy wines – one of Europe’s best-kept flavor secrets. | Emerging region – A UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Danube, the Wachau Valley has produced wine since Celtic and Roman times – renowned for its steep terraced vineyards and high quality. | |
| Villány, Hungary |
Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) Cabernet Franc Merlot Portugieser |
An emerging star known for spicy Cabernet Franc and refined red blends. | Emerging region – With a strong Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman influence, this is one of Hungary’s oldest – and foremost – red wine regions. |
Iberian Peninsula
| Wine Region | Tours | Signature Grapes | Wine Highlights | Regional Wine Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douro Valley |
Touriga Nacional Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) Touriga Franca |
Birthplace of Port and rising star for bold, dry reds, the Douro yields intense, cellar-worthy wines. | Popular region – Central to Portugal’s wine heritage, this is one of the world’s oldest demarcated regions – established in 1756. | |
| Vinho Verde, Portugal |
Alvarinho (Albariño) Loureiro Arinto |
Perfect for warm days, this region’s whites are light, crisp, and refreshingly easy to sip on. | Emerging region – Translating to “green wine,” this name refers to the region’s lush landscape, rather than the color of the wine. | |
| Rioja |
Tempranillo Garnacha |
Explore smooth, oak-aged reds with rich layers of depth and complexity. | Popular region – Shaped by Bordeaux traditions, Rioja is Spain’s first officially regulated wine region. | |
| Rías Baixas |
Albariño |
Often paired with seafood, this region’s fresh, crisp wines are enjoyed across the country. | Popular region – gaining recognition in the 20th century for Albariño, this coastal area is now one of Spain’s most respected white-wine regions. | |
| Txakolina |
Hondarrabi Zurt |
Light, crisp, and slightly sparkling – these wines are rooted in Basque winemaking tradition. | Emerging region – this traditional wine has been produced for centuries along Spain’s Basque coast. | |
| Bierzo |
Mencía |
Popularly named as “the Spanish Burgundy,” Mencía is known for its red fruit and floral notes. | Emerging region – Bierzo’s winemaking dates to Roman times, and today it’s recognized for high-quality wines from old vines. | |
| Alentejo |
Aragonez (Tempranillo) Trincadeira Alicante Bouschet Antão Vaz |
This region is celebrated for rich, velvety reds – brimming with ripe fruit and finished with supple, easy tannins. | Popular region – Alentejo is famed for its Roman-era tradition of fermenting and aging wine in clay pots, still practiced today. |
North America
| Wine Region | Tours | Signature Grapes | Wine Highlights | Regional Wine Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse Wine Coast |
Riesling Pinot Noir Chardonnay Cabernet Franc |
With a reputation for sparkling and ice wines, this emerging region also delivers crisp, aromatic whites worth discovering. | Emerging region – This region boasts a moderated climate ideal for grape-growing, due to its proximity to Lake Michigan, and has been an emerging wine region since the 70s. | |
| Niagara |
Riesling Pinot Noir Chardonnay Cabernet Franc |
Niagara’s crisp whites and elegant reds shine in its cool climate – but it’s the Icewine that put the region on the map. | Emerging region – Niagara’s Icewine, made from grapes natural frozen on the vine, is gaining momentum. |
Worldwide Selections
| Wine Region | Tours | Signature Grapes | Wine Highlights | Regional Wine Heritage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlborough, New Zealand |
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir |
Marlborough’s zesty Sauvignon Blanc revolutionized the grape with its bold, vibrant character. | Iconic region – Gaining global recognition in the 1980s, Marlborough is recognized as a modern wine success story. | |
| Valle de Millahue, Chile |
Cabernet Sauvignon Carménère Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay |
Once native to Bordeaux, Carménère now thrives here – producing wines that are vivid, expressive, and full of life. | Popular region – Wine production in Colchagua Valley began in the 1500s with Spanish missionaries, but it was the French influence of the 1800s that established Chile as a haven for Old World vines. | |
| Cape Winelands, South Africa |
Chenin Blanc Pinotage Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah |
This region shines with bold reds, crisp whites, signature Pinotage, and Cap Classique signature wines – the Cape’s take on Champagne – shaped by the region’s climate. | Emerging region – Wine production began in the 1650s with Dutch settlers, and today the winelands remain the historic and cultural heart of South African winemaking. |