Whatever your ideal vacation may be, nothing can quite compare to the pleasure of wining and dining in the world's best wine destinations.  While the routes of wine production imbedded in Europe, it has not stopped the spread of the drink's popularity. Today, great wine destinations can be found in regions of  every continent--except maybe Antarctica.

Bordeaux, France

In case you don't have enough reasons to visit France, here's one more. Bordeaux is synonymous with ideal wine destination. Almost 90 percent of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red, and made of a blend of grapes that most commonly include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.  Aside from their reputable reds, the vineyards in the Bordeaux region are also responsible for sweet and dry whites, sparkling whites, and rosé.  If wine tasting classes and vineyard tours aren't enough, the region also has several wine-related museums.  These include the Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, a museum dedicated to wine in art, and the Chateau Loudenne, which houses a museum of wine tools.  If you time your visit right, you may have the pleasure of attending the Bordeaux Wine Festival, held downtown each summer.  Aside from some of the best vineyards in the world, Bordeaux is a sight in itself, as in a UNESCO World Heritage site, as the city of 250,000 is known for its impressive 18^th century architecture.

Napa Valley, California

Flanked by the Mayacamas Mountain Range on the west and the Vaca Mountains on the east, Napa Valley is a great place for growing grapes--and the world knows it.  The foremost name in North American wine production, Napa Valley vineyards specialize in just about everything, but some of the better known varieties coming from the valley are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.  Nearly 4.5 million visitors looking for fine wining and dining flock to Napa Valley every year, making it the most popular wine destination in the world. Aside from various touring and tasting options, there are also many highly regarded spas for those who want to make the most of their relaxing getaway.

Cape Town, South Africa

Three and a half centuries of wine production and a pleasant Mediterranean climate puts Cape Town on the map as the best wine city in Africa.  South Africa's second largest city, Cape Town's damp winters and warm, dry summers make it the perfect environment for growing a wide variety of grapes.  One of the best ways to enjoy the landscape surrounding the city is by following a "wine route" through the countryside, spotted with Dutch homesteads nestled among the foothills of breathtaking mountains.  Some of the most popular wine farms include those located in Stellenbosch and Constantia.  Cape Town's vineyards produce numerous high quality reds and whites, and an increasing number of sparkling wines.  The local sherry, port, and muscadel are also of good quality and available at budget-friendly prices. 

Mendoza, Argentina

The Mendoza region of Argentina covers a vast amount of land on the mid-west side of the country, hugging the foothills of the Andes Mountains.  The capital of the Mendoza region is a popular stop for adventure travelers on their way to hike America's tallest peak, Aconcagua.  However, the region's fine wine has an equally compelling draw for the more leisure-inclined.  The region with the largest wine production in Latin America, Mendoza is considered the heart of winemaking in Argentina, and the vineyards are located at roughly 2,000 to 3,500 feet above sea level.  The local wine industry has traditionally been known for the pink-skinned grapes of the Cereza and Criolla Grande varieties, but of late the trend has been towards premium wine varietals.  The region's emblematic grape is the Malbec, a purple grape used to produce a dark and rich red wine.

Margaret River, Australia

While Western Australia covers approximately a third of the continent, it is only responsible for about 5 percent of the nation's wine production and the top echelon of quality. Margaret River, a region in the southern part of Western Australia, is arguably home to Australia's best wine.  Its temperate climate is cooled by the Indian Ocean, and has the lowest mean annual temperature range of all Australia. They also boast a Mediterranean climate in terms of rainfall, with very little rain falling in the summer months.  Principal grape varieties are evenly divided between red and white, and many boutique sized wine producers are known for their cabernets.  Besides fine wine, Margaret River is also known for its great surfing and gourmet dining, and has a collection of stunning caves that are open to the public for exploration. 

Nashik, India

Asia has not historically been synonymous with good wine, but cities such as Nashik are beginning to turn that around.  India's wine capital, Nashik has been called the Napa Valley of India and has well-established local brands such as Sula and Zampa.  The region surrounding Nashik is known for its greenery and picturesque valleys, which are home to many orchards and vineyards.  The mild climate paired with the moderate altitude (approximately 2000 feet above sea level) combine to make ideal growing conditions for grapes, and Nashik has the highest grape productivity in the world.  Regional favorites include French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz.  Sula, the oldest vineyard, was just established in 1999 so Nashik vintages don't date very far back, but the future looks bright and primed for growth.