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10 best wine destinations

Larry Bleiberg
Special for USA TODAY
While foodies have been calling on Tuscany for years, the neighboring region of Umbria, Italy,  is getting discovered by wine-savvy travelers. Visitors can stay in Relais Ducale, a 14th-century building, in the town of Gubbio.

It takes more than great wine to make a great wine destination, says Susan Kostrzewa, executive editor of Wine Enthusiast magazine. Travelers also want good food and enjoyable interactions with winemakers and locals: "It's really about the tone and the vibe of the place." The magazine has identified the most promising vintage destinations for 2014, which she shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Umbria, Italy

Foodies have been calling on Tuscany for years, but this neighboring region is now getting discovered by wine-savvy travelers, Kostrzewa says. "It's a dark horse. Something's going on there. It's just these amazing hill towns, amazing cuisines, a little bit more off the beaten path." Travelers love to sample glasses of Sagrantino and Orvieto, a white blend of Procanico and Grechetto, and eat dishes featuring local truffles and olive oils. 212-245-5618; italiantourism.com

Aegean Islands, Greece

Though Greece has been making wine for millennia, the quality has come a long way in the past decade. Kostrzewa recommends visiting wineries on the islands of Santorini, Samos and Crete. "There are great restaurants, incredible views, and history. You'd be hard-pressed to go to one of these places and not have a good time." 212-421-5777; visitgreece.gr

Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California

Mexico offers travelers much more than a chance to sip tequila and Tecate beer. Wineries have flourished in this region around Ensenada, two hours south of San Diego. Standout grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Syrah. "It's easily manageable for American travelers, with great weather and some interesting food culture," Kostrzewa says. The new Museum of Viticulture and Wine traces the craft from 16th-century Spanish missionaries to the innovators transforming the region today. visitmexico.com

Hill Country, Texas

The wine keeps getting better in this central section of the Lone Star State, which is hospitable not only to grapes but also travelers. "It has cowboys, Old West history, and people who want to talk to you and winemakers who want to pour for you — and that's something really special," Kostrzewa says. Travelers will find ample opportunities for tastings — and barbecue — in this region west of Austin. 866-489-9463; traveltex.com

Mendoza, Argentina

This region's success is one of the reasons Malbec has become such a popular pour, Kostrzewa says. Visitors find an area with architecturally striking wineries. "Mendoza has a really amazing intersection of Old World-style approach and New World innovation, and that's true in the cuisine of the area too." A special tour offers tastings — and fresh-baked empanadas. argentina.travel

Sonoma, Calif.

While Sonoma might not come as a surprise to wine drinkers, Kostrzewa says the area retains a local feel and laid-back attitude. "It's a place where you'll still meet the winemaker in the tasting room. There's very little pretension, even though the wine is world class." Visitors love wandering the Wine Road, which connects tasting rooms in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. 707-522-5800; sonomacounty.com

Baden, Germany

This centuries-old spa town is making a new name for itself with cool-climate wines like Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. "It's still a small enough wine culture that you'll be meeting the winemakers," Kostrzewa says. And there's more to see: "You have natural hot springs, hiking and castles — a pretty amazing combination of things." badischerwein.de

Barossa Valley, Australia

Australia's equivalent of the Napa Valley has its own style of tasting rooms, called cellar doors. Visits often include snacks or lunches, and the wine itself is getting more interesting, moving beyond bold Shiraz to more elegant, restrained offerings. "It's fun. You can sit down and enjoy local food. You've got great weather year-round. It's kind of a no-brainer," Kostrzewa says. barossa.com

Walla Walla, Wash.

This small rustic region makes highly regarded wines like Rhone and Bordeaux. While tasting rooms are modern and easily visited on a driving tour, visitors revel in the uncomplicated, relaxed atmosphere. "It's like stepping back in time a little bit, like how Napa and Sonoma were in the '30s or '40s," Kostrzewa says. wallawalla.org

Languedoc, France

Not only is wine a way of life in this vineyard-rich region, but it's also quite affordable. "Wine and food are a huge part of what they do and has been for many centuries," Kostrzewa says. But visitors must plan by calling ahead for appointments. us.rendezvousenfrance.com

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