International Wine Regions

A perfect storm of climate and soil conditions produces the Marlborough region's Sauvignon Blanc -- the most famous New Zealand wine and one of the most popular in the world.

By Sarah Siddons

Nelson, New Zealand, is a tiny area that produces some big wines. You might have to actually travel there to taste them, but it's a trip well worth taking.

By Rosalind Jackson

The country of New Zealand -- and its wine industry -- was born in the Northland region. You might not think a subtropical area with volcanic soil would turn out good wine -- but it does.

By Eleanor Duse

In the young wine culture of New Zealand, the up-and-coming Wairarapa region is starting to capture a lot of attention.

By Andrew Aguecheek

The Bay of Plenty might not be the most well-known -- or productive -- wine region in New Zealand, but it fares well with its small but robust collection of wineries.

By Rosalind Jackson

Spain is a beautiful land filled with history, art and culture. It's also filled with wonderful wine. The Penedes region in the Catalonian countryside west of Barcelona is second only to La Rioja in the worldwide popularity of its wines.

By Andrew Aguecheek

The Ribera del Duero wine region is overwhelmingly devoted to a single grape that makes a single wine, the Tinto Fino, also known as the Tempranillo. This lone grape is responsible for approximately 95 percent of all wine production in the region.

By Sarah Siddons

Rural and rustic, without the urban bustle of Madrid and Seville or the sweeping architecture of Barcelona, Bierzo is home to several up and coming wineries.

By Eleanor Duse

Italy is widely recognized as a top tier wine producer and Veneto, one of the nation's wine regions, is a great attribute. The region produces many DOC wines and plays an important role in the entire country's wine industry.

By Sarah Siddons

Lying on the fringes of the eastern border of France with Switzerland and Italy, the Savoie wine region is ideal for both skiing and wine.

By Richard Winter

Tasmanian wines are starting to get noticed and it might not be long before the island is known more for its Pinot Noir than it is for the Looney Tunes character Taz.

By Elizabeth Abbess

Although the Basilicata wine region is one of Italy's smallest -- it devotes barely more than 1 percent of its land to wine production -- it is known for turning out one of Italy's most well known and celebrated red wines, the Anglianico del Vulture.

By Sarah Siddons

The Jura region is one of many regions in eastern France that produces world-class inimitable wines. The region is situated south of Lons le Saunier and north of Arbois, in the western hills of the Jura Mountains.

By Rosalind Jackson

For any true wine connoisseur, Tuscany is a must-see. The region produces some of the most reputable wines in the world. And for many, it's almost impossible to hear mention of Tuscany without picturing its rolling hills covered in grape vines.

By Sarah Siddons

Australia is often overlooked as a wine-producing powerhouse, yet its viticulture is rich and full of history. For a young country and state, Australia's Queensland has been in the wine producing business since its establishment almost 150 years ago.

By Sarah Siddons

Bordeaux -- to most people, the name simply means a type of wine. However, it's also a prominent French wine region. And while you might think the region focuses only on its namesake, wine production in Bordeaux is actually quite diverse.

By Vivien Bullen

You've been asked to bring a bottle of Burgundy wine to dinner at a friend's house. You know very little about wine, so you think she just means that you should bring some red wine -- the color burgundy is a shade of red, right?

By Rosalind Jackson

If your first thought about Sicily is of a certain group of gangsters in the "Godfather" trilogy, you're in for a treat when you discover its wine.

By Vivien Bullen

It's New Year's Eve. You have your fancy outfit, a date and a party to attend. What's missing? The bubbly! There's nothing like a big bottle of champagne to help you celebrate.

By Libby Little

Lombardy is usually associated with food production rather than vineyards -- neighboring regions bottle much more wine. Nevertheless, some superb wines are made there.

By Andrew Aguecheek

If you're planning a trip to Italy, Liguria might not be the first destination on your list. Tuscany is next door, with the art and shopping of Florence and the historic sweep of Siena. But don't overlook the flavors of this small region.

By Eleanor Duse

Sure, you know Champagne and Bordeaux, the celebrities of the French wine world. But how familiar are you with the wines of the Rhone Valley wine region? It is an ingenue by comparison.

By Sarah Siddons

They say good things come in small packages. This might not always be true, of course, but it certainly applies to Italy's Aosta Valley wine region.

By Eleanor Duse

Whether you prefer red or white wine, Italy's Emilia-Romagna region delivers flavorful choices to delight your palate.

By Andrew Aguecheek

Potentially violent volcanic activity lies deep beneath Latium, one of the most important winemaking regions of Italy. It helps the area produce wonderfully distinctive grapes and wines.

By Eleanor Duse