It seems that in almost any country, there is a wine country.  Wine has been around for thousands of years, and it’s no wonder that after all this time, it would seem that we have become quite obsessed with the libation.  And while there are some amazing wine areas in the United States, South America, and even Australia, nowhere in the world seems to have as many world-renowned wine regions as the continent of Europe.

Most of these regions have been tourist attractions for some time, especially as transportation to and from these regions has become more accessible.  You can fly just about anywhere nowadays, or drive, and you can even go by boat if you’d like, by choosing one of the many ferries from Calais to Dover.

If you’re ready to plan a trip to some spectacular destinations in Europe, it would be advisable to at least consider some, if not all, of the following European wine destinations.  There’s no better way to let Europe tell you its story then by savouring the flavours of its history.

The Magnificent Wine Regions of France

You will probably not be shocked to discover that the wine regions of France are some of the most famous and popular for wine in the entire world.  Obviously, at or near, the top of that list is the city of Bordeaux, known almost exclusively in the wine community as the world capital of wine.  It is the home of the Vinexpo Fair each year in June, hosting some 2,400 wine and spirits exhibitors from over 47 countries.

In addition to the famous Bordeaux region, Loire Valley and Provence are also very reputable wine producers.  Loire Valley is perhaps known best for being the “Garden of France,” in large part due its enormous abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and asparagus and artichoke field that line the banks of the Loire River.  Provence, on the other hand, is known for a very particular kind of wine.  In Europe and beyond, the area of Provence is known primarily for its rose wine, which currently accounts for more than half of the Provencal wine produced.

The Italian Wine Regions

As the second largest producer of in the world, it’s absolutely impossible not to consider visiting the wine regions of Italy as a wine connoisseur or interested traveler.  And no matter what time of the year you’re traveling, you’ll be sure to find a festival in celebration of the sweet elixir of Italian wine.  Even in the winter months, starting in November, you will be sure to find an event, such as the “Top of Vini” Alto Adige 2012 in Bolzano, which celebrates the best of viticulture of Alto Adige with all the wines that rated highly by the 2013 wine guides.

The Unexpected Wine Experience in the U.K.

Never to be discounted, Britain makes a stand in the wine experience of Europe.  While most people don’t consider Britain a wine destination, the area has made great strides over the years to provide residents and visitors with the total wine experience.  Wine connoisseurs are starting to rank England’s sparkling wines as highly as their more well-known French counterparts. There are a wide variety of “wine bars” in many UK cities and particularly the iconic Leicester Square in London. Additionally, there are also high-profile wine-related festivals that are celebrated each year, including the Edinburgh Wine Fair in Scotland.