Travelers planning a European wine trip may want to look beyond France and Italy.
Štajerska in Slovenia has been named Europe’s best wine region in a new ranking by European Best Destinations.
According to Euronews, the Slovenian region beat more than 90 wine destinations from countries including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria and Greece.
The ranking considered factors such as landscapes, grape varieties, sustainability, accessibility and the quality of local wine experiences.
Štajerska includes areas around Maribor, Ptuj, Jeruzalem Slovenija, Haloze and Pohorje.
One of its most famous attractions is the Old Vine in Maribor, widely promoted as the world’s oldest producing grapevine.
Italy’s Langhe Roero Monferrato finished second, while Spain’s Ribeira Sacra ranked third.
Austria’s Kamptal and Italy’s Chianti Rufina completed the top five.
For travelers looking for a less crowded European autumn escape, Slovenia’s combination of vineyards, historic towns and relatively compact distances could make it especially attractive.
