Do I need to know about wine to enjoy a wine tour?

Not at all. Wine tours cater to all levels, from complete beginners to sommelier-level enthusiasts. Guides explain everything in accessible terms, and the focus is on enjoyment rather than expertise.

How much wine do you actually drink on a wine tour?

Tastings involve small pours (about 50ml each), and you typically taste 6 to 12 wines across 2 to 3 wineries. You can spit if you prefer, and food is usually included to help pace the tastings.

Which European wine region is best for beginners?

Tuscany is excellent for beginners because it combines accessible wines with beautiful scenery, delicious food, and a relaxed atmosphere. The Douro Valley is another great choice for its stunning landscape and welcoming wineries.

Best Wine Tours in Europe: France, Italy, Spain (2026)

Europe is home to the world's most celebrated wine regions, and a wine tour is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the continent's countryside. Whether you are a serious oenophile or just enjoy a glass with dinner, visiting vineyards, tasting directly from the barrel, and learning from passionate winemakers adds a dimension to travel that restaurants alone cannot provide.

Bordeaux, France

Chateau and vineyard in the Bordeaux wine region of France

Bordeaux is wine royalty. The region produces some of the most famous (and expensive) wines in the world, but you do not need a fortune to enjoy it. Day tours from Bordeaux city visit 2 to 3 chateaux in appellations like Saint-Emilion, Medoc, or Graves. Saint-Emilion is particularly beautiful, a medieval hilltop town surrounded by vineyards and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Most tours include tastings of 6 to 10 wines, cellar visits, and a guide who explains the terroir, grape varieties, and classification system. Expect to pay 60 to 120 euros for a full-day tour from Bordeaux.

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Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is where wine, food, and landscape come together in perfect harmony. The Chianti region between Florence and Siena produces Italy's most famous red wine, and a day tour through the rolling hills of cypress trees and stone farmhouses is unforgettable. Montalcino (home of Brunello) and Montepulciano (Vino Nobile) are equally rewarding.

Tuscan wine tours almost always include food. Expect platters of pecorino cheese, cured meats, bruschetta, and olive oil alongside the wine tastings. A full-day tour from Florence costs 80 to 150 euros and typically visits 2 to 3 wineries plus a hilltop town.

Rioja, Spain

Spain's most famous wine region lies in the north, about 2 hours from Bilbao. Rioja produces bold, oak-aged reds from the Tempranillo grape. The region has embraced wine tourism enthusiastically, with many bodegas (wineries) featuring stunning modern architecture. Marques de Riscal (designed by Frank Gehry) and Ysios (by Santiago Calatrava) are architectural destinations in their own right.

The town of Haro is the traditional capital of Rioja wine country, with dozens of historic bodegas offering tours and tastings. Wine tours from Bilbao or Logrono cost 60 to 100 euros.

Douro Valley, Portugal

Terraced vineyards along the Douro River in Portugal

The Douro Valley is one of the most scenic wine regions in the world. Terraced vineyards climb impossibly steep hillsides above the Douro River. The region produces port wine and increasingly excellent still wines (both red and white).

Day tours from Porto typically include a river cruise, 2 to 3 winery visits, lunch with wine, and stunning scenery. The combination of port wine tasting in Porto's Vila Nova de Gaia cellars followed by a Douro Valley day trip is one of Portugal's best travel experiences.

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Champagne, France

Visiting the Champagne region, just 90 minutes from Paris, lets you taste the real thing where it is made. Tours visit houses ranging from world-famous names (Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Tattinger) to small grower-producers. Cellar tours through kilometres of underground chalk tunnels are atmospheric and educational.

Provence, France

If rose is your thing, Provence is paradise. The region produces 88% of France's rose wine, and summer tours through lavender fields and olive groves to small domaines are quintessentially southern French. Many tours combine wine tasting with visits to villages like Gordes, Roussillon, and Aix-en-Provence.

Santorini, Greece

Wine on a volcanic island. Santorini's unique terroir (volcanic soil, strong winds, minimal rainfall) produces distinctive wines, particularly the white Assyrtiko grape. Several wineries offer tastings with caldera views. Combine wine tasting with a sunset at Oia for one of Europe's most memorable evenings.

Practical Tips

Book a tour with transport included. You will be tasting wine all day, so driving yourself is not an option.
Do not wear white. Seriously. Red wine and white clothing are a risky combination in a cellar.
Ask about shipping. Many wineries can ship bottles to the UK, which is easier than carrying them in your luggage.
Half-day tours (4 to 5 hours) are good for casual interest. Full-day tours (7 to 8 hours) suit serious wine lovers.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October, especially during harvest) are the best seasons for wine tours.

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