Some areas of the world have particularly rich soil for harvesting tasty fruit - California's Napa Valley, northern Italy's Piedmont, and southern Africa are true pilgrimage sites for connoisseurs. These regions are home to exquisite wines that delight wine lovers worldwide. But they have much more to offer.

Piedmont

Castiglione Falletto: The municipality, just four square kilometers in size, is famous for the Nebbiolo grape, which finds its way into Barolo. © ClickAlps/REDA&CO

In addition to Barolo, the king of Italian red wines, the Piedmont region is renowned for several other culinary superlatives. For example, it is home to what is said to be the best hazelnut in the world - and with the white truffle, one of the most expensive ingredients in international haute cuisine also comes from northwestern Italy.

South Africa

Fynbos Family House: the cottage on the Babylonstoren estate is a home away from home for families and friends. © Babylonstoren

The grapes of South African wineries spend their existence with quite a lot of sun on their skin and surrounded by cool the sea breezes. It comes as no surprise, that every drop that leaves one of the country's around 560 wineries combines a dazzling variety of flavors.

Napa Valley

Small but mighty: Only four percent of California's wine production, or 0.4 percent of the world's, takes place in Napa Valley. Still, it can't be left off the list of best travel tips for gourmets. © AdobeStock

Framed by the Mayacamas Mountains to the north, the Vaca Mountains to the east, and San Pablo Bay to the south, 80 kilometers north of San Francisco lies one of the best winegrowing valleys in the world. Its microclimate allows world-renowned Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Chardonnay grapes to thrive with the power of the California sun.