Ten Great International Wine Destinations

California isn't the only spot offering fine wines and friendly tasting rooms.

 The next time a friend or co-worker says he's headed to Napa on vacation to do a little wine tasting, don't get jealous. Go somewhere better.

Visited by well over 3 million tourists a year, Napa can be a hassle, with crowded tasting rooms, near-standstill traffic on Highway 29 and a paucity of dinner reservations (call the French Laundry two months in advance, to the day, but you'll probably get a busy tone).

To be sure, Napa practically invented high-quality wine tourism. But wineries in other regions around the world have followed its lead and stepped up their game, offering a personal touch, not to mention high-quality hotels, restaurants and tasting rooms that provide connections to their regions' history and lifestyle. Oh, and they have some great-tasting wines, too.

In Depth: 10 Great International Wine Destinations

Weekend Wines: Visit A Winery

The challenge is deciding among the many attractive options, from Chile to South Africa to Australia. Each, says George Taber, author of the forthcoming book In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism, offers a unique experience.

To research his book, Taber spent eight months on the road and visited 12 different countries. Along the way, he discovered that some regions offer great luxury and service, while others are worth visiting for the peace, quiet and spectacular views.