{"id":62733,"date":"2026-08-10T13:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T10:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/evropeyski-shlyahy-vina\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T13:40:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T10:40:49","slug":"evropeyski-shlyahy-vina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/evropeyski-shlyahy-vina\/","title":{"rendered":"The best European wine routes – where to go for tastings in autumn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

European wine routes \u2013 France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. It is in these countries that you can taste the best wines of Europe.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn is the best time to travel through the wine countries and regions. There are even wine routes, along which I managed to walk a bit and drive a car. I suggest as a travel idea \u2013 to ride along the wine routes of France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. These are the countries where the best European wine is made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burgundy, France \u2013 the road of great wines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Burgundy,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want to continue your acquaintance with the wine traditions of Burgundy<\/strong> (Bourgogne<\/strong> in French), head north, on a journey along La Route des Grands Crus \u2013 the wine route stretching from Dijon<\/a><\/strong> to the village of Santenay<\/strong>. This is one of the most popular wine routes in France, which includes 37 communes with renowned wineries. It is no wonder it has been called the \u201cRoad of Great Wines\u201d and the \u201cChamps-\u00c9lys\u00e9es of Burgundy<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Burgundy,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here, you can taste the most magnificent wines against the backdrop of extraordinarily beautiful nature. Hills covered with vineyards stretch along the Sa\u00f4ne river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in the 12th century, local Cistercian monks planted the first grapevine next to their abbey, and by the early 14th century, the total area of vineyards had already reached today’s volume \u2013 more than 22,000 hectares. In 1937, the council of the C\u00f4te-d’Or<\/strong> department created this route for walks and wine tastings. The Burgundy \u201cGrand Cru<\/strong>\u201d route is already over 80 years old and has been included in the UNESCO heritage list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Burgundy,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can travel the \u201cwine road<\/strong>\u201d by car \u2013 we traveled the whole route in two days. It’s just about 50 km, during which we made stops at wineries, had picnics in the vineyards, photoshoots, and simply enjoyed the surroundings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also come and stay in one of the villages, to walk along the vineyards every day or pedal a bike \u2013 whichever you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Burgundy,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every village has several wine estates and often small hotels attached to them. Just imagine, in the morning, the aroma of fresh must (fermented grape pomace) wafting through the open windows. And in the evening, book a table at a restaurant to enjoy the taste of snails and coq au vin, and compare the flavors of vintages from different slopes of Burgundy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Rioja \u2013 wine fights and wine fountain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Rioja,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The culture of winemaking and wine drinking in Spain originated hundreds of years ago. And despite the fact that young people more often order beer in bars, wine remains an important part of the modern Spanish cultural code. Red Rioja<\/strong> is world famous \u2013 its taste is known far beyond Spain\u2019s borders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wine wars in Rioja<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Probably, many have seen photos from the \u201cwine battle\u201d festival, which takes place in late June every year in the small town of Haro. Every year, the \u201carmy\u201d of the village of Miranda de Ebro<\/a> from the province of Burgos fights with the \u201carmy\u201d of Haro from the province of Rioja. They pour wine over each other from bottles and water guns, and the ringleader at this party is a huge firehose that douses everyone with wine from a giant barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rioja,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In autumn the battles subside, the harvest is collected and it\u2019s the time when in the quiet cellars you can taste the wine. It’s the perfect time to set off on the La Rioja wine route. In total, there are 15 hiking trails scattered across its territory, offering breathtaking views of the vineyards in the foothills of Gorbea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Logronio – the capital of Rioja wines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rioja,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But the most popular is the wine trail from Logro\u00f1o<\/a><\/strong>, the capital of La Rioja, along the Ebro River<\/strong>. The villages and towns along the route offer all kinds of wines: from small producers to large old wineries that are more than 100 years old. Some specialize in certain varieties. For example, San Asensio is the birthplace of claret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, everywhere you can taste wine made from the Tempranillo<\/strong> variety. If it is young \u2013 \u201ccrianza\u201d, it is aged for at least one year in barrels and several months in bottles. Or \u201cgran reserva\u201d \u2013 select wines of exceptional harvests, aged at least 2 years in oak barrels and 3 years in bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sicily, Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Sicily,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are over 500 wine varieties in Italy! And a huge number of wine routes, for example, the South Tyrolean Wine Road \u2013 a famous 70-kilometer route that runs along the Adige River Valley in Northern Italy through 15 communes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iconic wine regions are Piedmont and Tuscany: stunning views of hills with vineyards and cypresses will drive anyone crazy. The road in Tuscany, Nobile di Montepulciano, starts in the town of Montepulciano and stretches 165 km through a valley of picturesque vineyards. But if you dare to try something truly special \u2013 go on a wine tour around Sicily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Etna wines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the Italian Tourism Board, Sicily<\/a><\/strong> is the third most important wine and gastronomic destination in Italy after Tuscany and Piedmont. Wine tourism in Sicily is focused around one landmark point \u2013 around Mount Etna<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This never-ending smoldering volcano rises 3,357 meters above sea level. Plumes of steam and smoke regularly rise from its craters and remind everyone of its destructive power. The beautiful Etna, with its molten flows, can erase dozens of towns from the face of the earth. And at the same time, for hundreds of years, Sicilians have been growing grapes in fertile volcanic soil, while the taste of wine from the same variety changes depending on the altitude at which the grapes grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sicily,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the lower slopes of Etna, rich wines with bright flavors are born, but the higher you go, the more mineral and subtle the taste notes become. Wine from the indigenous varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio <\/strong>competes with classic Pinot Noir. A distinctive feature of the wine routes around Etna is that they can be explored not only by car, but also by train. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the volcano, the Circumetnea<\/strong> railway was built, 111 km long, ridden by local trains. There are even \u201cWine Trains<\/strong>\u201d running along the route, which includes some of the region’s best wineries. The ticket price includes the train ride and tasting sets. You can enjoy it while sitting on the volcano with a view of the slopes and the turquoise sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port wine from the Douro river valley, Portugal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The homeland of port wine<\/strong> is the colorful Portuguese city of Porto<\/a><\/strong>. It stretches on both banks of the Douro River<\/strong>. Along its winding and high banks are the colorful houses of Ribeira<\/strong>. It’s the old district with battered tiled roofs and small balconies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a magical view of the river from the Ponte de Dom Lu\u00eds<\/strong> I bridge. The rabelo boats, which once transported barrels of port wine. In Vila Nova de Gaia<\/a> – the area the opposite bank are stored Portugal\u2019s countless treasures and blood. This is port wine from Taylor’s, Graham’s, Ferreira, Sandeman, Kopka<\/strong> \u2013 and these are just the most famous brand names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Potro,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only wine made from grapes grown in the Douro valley and aged in barrels in Vila Nova de Gaia<\/strong> can be called port wine. Its history dates back to the 11th century. When Henry II of Burgundy, having married the daughter of the last king of Castile and Le\u00f3n, received lands along the Douro River as dowry. Here, he developed viticulture. And Portuguese wines began to be sold in England, which at that time was suffering from a Bordeaux wine embargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Douro Valley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last times the wines from the Douro did not withstand long sea transportation well. So someone came up with the idea to add a little brandy to the barrels of wine. Thanks to this idea, an entirely new drink was born \u2013 port wine. If you try port wine aged ten years or longer, the sweetness disappears. And the taste of the wine tends towards strong brandy. This is the aroma that lingers around the warehouses of Vila Nova de Gaia. And wherever you look \u2013 tasting rooms lure you with the coolness of their cellars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So where is port wine brought to these cellars from? This wine is made not far away \u2013 in the Douro river valley. Further upstream, on hills and terraces, endless vineyards are spread. The Douro River flows through deep valleys from the border with Spain to Porto, along the slopes of slate mountains. These poor, harsh soils were cultivated by locals, who year after year planted vineyards here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vineyards are green in summer and fiery red in autumn. They have created a unique landscape, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is renowned for its beautiful scenery and the famous ports that have been produced here for centuries. And now, dry Douro table wines are also made here, which in recent decades have become popular and received recognition abroad due to the quality of both red and white, and even ros\u00e9 wines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Douro wine valley boat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An interesting feature of the wine route along the Douro river valley: you can travel it by car, by train, and by cruise boat, as the river is navigable from Porto to Barca d’Alva<\/a><\/strong> on the Spanish border. It is ideal to start at the pier in Vila Nova de Gaia and go up the river to R\u00e9gua<\/strong> \u2013 here you will find a railway station from which an old train runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On it, you can set out on a historical and gastronomic journey along the winding railway that runs through the waves of grapevines. Be sure to plan one or two overnight stays at wine estates which have been making Douro wine and port for centuries. After all, what could be better than trying a glass of port wine, enjoying the wonderful wine of the red vines of the Douro valley? Especially if you do it on the land that gives birth to this greatest wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Useful articles and links:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n