Wine, the 12 best regions in Europe for food and wine travel. You don’t expect the first one (she’s neither Italian nor French)

regioni vinicole

The top step is Slovenian, but when counting the flags, Italy comes out on top, at least according to European Best Destinations, the portal that compiles travel rankings on the European continent. In first place is Štajerska, Slovenian Styria, the best wine region in Europe, followed by Langhe-Roero-Monferrato. In the top 12 there are four Italian territories, two French ones.

How the ranking was born

The selection, explains the portal, starts from a base of over ninety wine territories spread across France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Greece and Georgia. Each region was assessed for heritage and authenticity, variety of grape varieties and styles, presence of wineries, tasting rooms and wine routes, landscape beauty, gastronomy, sustainability and accessibility.

The Štajerska case

The region, in the north-east of Slovenia, brings together seven destinations, from Maribor and Ptuj to Haloze and Pohorje. Among the whites, Šipon (Furmint), Laški rizling and Sauvignon; among the reds Pinot noir and Modra frankinja, i.e. Blaufränkisch. What the portal indicates as the oldest vine in the world grows in Maribor. The director of European Best Destinations, Maximilien Lejeune, motivated the choice with the authenticity of the places, the landscapes, centuries of wine culture and a strong regional identity. For Štajerska, moreover, 2026 is a generous year, at least on this site, given that already last February the portal had placed it in third place among the European destinations of the year, behind Madrid and Nicosia, naming Maribor the European capital of wine.

The Italians

Langhe-Roero-Monferrato owe second place to Nebbiolo and truffles, with autumn indicated as the ideal season for visiting. Chianti Rufina, fifth, is presented as the more intimate and discreet brother of Chianti Classico. Etna, seventh, and Valle d’Aosta, tenth, complete the tricolor patrol.

This is the complete ranking of the 12 best wine regions in Europe according to European Best Destinations:

  1. Štajerska, Slovenia
  2. Langhe-Roero-Monferrato, Italy
  3. Ribeira Sacra, Spain
  4. Kamptal, Austria
  5. Chianti Rufina, Italy
  6. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, France
  7. Etna, Italy
  8. Saumur and Anjou, France
  9. Wachau, Austria
  10. Aosta Valley, Italy
  11. Alentejo, Portugal
  12. Naoussa, Greece
Chris Rivers

Chris Rivers

With over 15 years of experience in journalism and a deep-seated passion for environmental sustainability, I lead the editorial team at Green Technology Investments. My background in environmental science fuels my commitment to crafting insightful and impactful content. When I'm not penning articles, you can find me exploring national parks or tending to my organic garden.