Top 10 Wine Destinations Around the World

(HuffingtonPost) - Going wine tasting is a charming way to spend a day or a weekend. It is so enjoyable, in fact, that wine tasting has become a vacation in itself. Wine tourism has increased in the past 10 years and many wineries around the globe now provide exquisite tasting rooms with scenic vineyard views, wine tasting dinners, and tours of the vineyards and cellars. An oeno-experience, one might say.

And wine is a beautiful thing. It is a perfect complement to a meal, and a great way to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Imagine lingering over a glass while watching the sun dip below rolling hills of vineyards. Now imagine doing it every day for a week or longer. Wine regions like Napa and Sonoma counties in California and Bordeaux and Burgundy in France are well-known tasting destinations. More recently, however, areas around the States, South Africa, Canada and Australia have come into their own as wine tasting destinations. That being said, check out our list of the Top 10 Wine Destinations Around the World.

1. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

From the Canada/U.S. border, Highway 97 winds its way north from the summer vacation hotspot of Osoyoos, through the region's viticulture center in Penticton, and past the mountain-framed shores of Okanagan Lake to Vernon. More than 60 grape varietals are grown here, including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, as well as a variety of fruit wines. Okanagan wines are truly exceptional, and Penticton is an excellent place to start a tasting tour of the more than 100 wineries in the region.