Top 10 Wine Regions In Europe By Train

The grapes used to produce Port, a type of typically sweet red wine, are cultivated along northern Portugal’s Douro River. Travel on the railway line along the Douro, from Porto to Pocinho, for a spectacular and scenic journey through the wine country. The city of Porto is the place where much of the tipple is fermented. Take a direct train to São Bento station in the city center and head over to Gaia. Here you will find the cellars that store and age Port. You can get tours and tastings (provided you are over the legal drinking age) in most of these cellars!

Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, is one of the largest wine regions in Europe. Bordelais have been fermenting grapes into elegant blends since the eighth century. To get a feel for the region, head to the town of Saint-Émilion, easily accessible by regional rail from Bordeaux city. 

Piedmont, called Piemonte  in Italian, is a wine-growing region in the northwest of Italy, known for growing Nebbiolo grapes. Wines in this region are characterized by deep tannins and great longevity. Travellers, if over the legal drinking age, can try wines such as Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato and Asti Spumante while in Piedmont. Asti and Alba, two main cities in this region, can easily be reached  by regional train (no reservation required) from Turin.

Champagne is one of the most famous wine regions in Europe, easily accessible by rail on a day trip from Paris. Travellers can also spend  a few nights (or longer) in Reims, where some wineries allow visitors to venture into wine cellars that were dug below the city centuries ago. For a small-town Champagne experience, make a stop at Épernay, the historic heart of champagne production! 

While many people associate Germany with its famous beer, wine production in the Mosel region has generated some highly sought-after bottles. The riverside train ride between Cochem and Koblenz is quite scenic, and both of these locations make excellent bases for exploring the Mosel wine region.

La Rioja is a small region in northern Spain famous for growing Tempranillo, Spain’s noble grape. The region's strong and full-bodied wines gain their character from the lengthy time they spend aging in oak barrels. Visit La Rioja by long-distance train, but remember that nearly all of them, including AVE and Alvia, require a reservation. Keep an eye out for the reservation-free Intercity trains when planning your trip.

Did you know that Hungary boasts 22 wine regions? Most noteworthy is Tokaj-Hegyalja, also a World Heritage Site. An excellent place to start your exploration is in the foothills of the Zemplén Mountains, in Tokaj. This town, accessible by train from Budapest,  is famous for its full-bodied sweet dessert wine, Tokaji Aszú. 

Train travel is an efficient way to reach both Florence and Siena, two famous Tuscan cities. In addition to each city's wine offerings, both Florence and Siena will captivate travellers with their awe-inspiring piazzas, palaces, churches, museums, and beyond. 

Though beer produced in the Czech Republic is famous worldwide, southern Moravia is better known for its extensive vineyards and distinctive cellar alleys (multiple cellars built in a row). Travellers can reach Znojmo, a stunning town known for its castle and underground passageways as well as its wine, by train from Prague in 5 hours and from Brno in 2,5 hours.

A personal favourite of mine, the Rhône Valley of France, is known for its deep red wines made with Syrah. Follow the Rhône to the riverside town of Tain-l’Hermitage, surrounded by hillside vineyards. Take the scenic French regional train to enjoy views of vineyards and wineries from your window.