A new ranking has just revealed the best wine regions in Europe, and oenophiles should take note, because number one went to a spot in Slovenia.
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Crowned by European Best Destinations, Štajerska beat out more than 90 leading wine territories across countries including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece and Georgia.
Regions were evaluated on things like the diversity of grape varieties and wine styles, the number of cellars, tasting rooms and wine rooms, the beauty of the landscape, sustainability and accessibility, among others.
Štajerska – which covers Maribor, Ptuj, Jeruzalem Slovenija, Haloze, Slovenske gorice, Ravno polje and Pohorje – topped the list thanks to its “remarkable wine stories”.
“Štajerska represents exactly what today’s travellers in Europe are increasingly looking for: authenticity, exceptional landscapes, centuries of wine culture, outstanding expertise and, above all, a very strong regional identity,” Maximilien Lejeune, director of European Best Destinations, said.
“From the World’s Oldest Vine in Maribor to the historic wine cellars of Ptuj, from wine roads and vineyards to the people who keep these traditions alive, wine here is much more than a product.”
Italy’s Langhe-Roero-Monferrato took second place, with European Best Destinations highlighting its Nebbiolo red wine grape variety and its truffles as reasons to visit, particularly in autumn.
Third place went to Ribeira Sacra in Spain, praised as being “one of Europe’s most dramatic wine landscapes” with terraces carved into the canyon walls of the Sil and Miño rivers.
For fans of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal in Austria, which came out fourth overall, is the place to be.
Rounding out the top five is Chianti Rufina in Tuscany, the “quieter, more intimate sibling of Chianti Classico”.
The top 12 wine regions in Europe
- Štajerska, Slovenia
- Langhe-Roero-Monferrato, Italy
- Ribeira Sacra, Spain
- Kamptal, Austria
- Chianti Rufina, Italy
- Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, France
- Etna, Italy
- Saumur and Anjou, France
- Wachau, Austria
- Valle d'Aosta, Italy
- Alentejo, Portugal
- Naoussa, Greece