Europe's best wine region has been crowned for 2027 – and it's not where you'd expect

When you picture a wine holiday in Europe, your mind probably drifts to Bordeaux, Tuscany or Rioja. But according to a new ranking, the continent’s best wine region for 2027 is somewhere far fewer of us have on our radar.

European Best Destinations has just revealed its list of Europe’s best wine regions, and Štajerska in northeastern Slovenia has taken the number one spot. The travel organisation started with more than 90 wine territories before narrowing them down to a top 12, judging each one on its heritage, grape varieties, landscapes, food, hospitality, sustainability and accessibility. So, in other words, it’s about the whole trip – not just what’s in your glass.

Štajerska scored 19.5 out of 20 overall. In Maribor, a vine more than 450 years old is recognised as the world’s oldest, and wine cellars run right beneath the city centre. Nearby Ptuj has a historic cellar holding a 1917 vintage thought to be Slovenia’s oldest preserved wine, while Gornja Radgona produced the country’s first sparkling wine back in 1852.

Continue reading.