Cheers to Europe: 7 countries serving the finest wine, craft beer, and more

France (Champagne)

The Champagne region is the heart of the world-famous sparkling wine. Every year, it hosts the "Route du Champagne en Fête"—a two-day festive wine route at the end of July.

The tour includes visits to major champagne houses, tastings accompanied by music, and gourmet pairings—a true wine carnival. Add in tours of the Reims cellars, a unique ambiance, and the opportunity to try exclusive blends.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a true champion of beer consumption, with breweries historically embedded in the culture. The undisputed champion is Plzeň, the birthplace of the first pale Pilsner in 1842.

In addition to traditional lagers, be sure to try local drinks like Becherovka and Slivovitz, which serve as digestifs.

You can combine beer and wine tastings in Moravia, a region with a thousand-year-old winemaking tradition. Local wine festivals and festival tours create the atmosphere of a true celebration of drink.

Czech beer is a global brand (photo: Freepik)

Spain (Madrid and Ibiza)

Madrid is a true paradise for gourmets with affordable prices: wine is often served with free tapas. The city's bar life includes hundreds of tapas bars and wine spots with a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.

Ibiza is known as the club capital of the world, where you can drink until dawn in legendary clubs and bars. It combines premium parties and street bars with local flavor. Pairing Madrid's wine scene with Ibiza's nightlife gives you a top-tier alcohol trip.

Portugal (Douro)

The Douro River Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. This is the birthplace of port wine and vinho verde, which are elegant, refreshing wines with character. Visiting major wineries or small family-run vineyards with tastings is a classic must-do.

Besides wine, the area offers natural river beaches and wine-themed boat tours on traditional vessels. The combination of eco-tourism and wine culture is a perfect way to relax both body and soul.

Scotland

Scotland is the homeland of Scotch whisky, with over 150 active distilleries countywide. The regions of Speyside, Islay, Highland, and Lowland offer captivating guided tours and tastings in atmospheric warehouses.

Warehouse tastings are particularly impressive—rare samples poured straight from the cask. The tourism infrastructure is ideal: visits, accommodations, and excursions are all organized and accessible to millions of visitors every year.

A trip along the famous Scotch Whisky Trail offers a true immersion into the culture of the drink.

In Scotland, you can try whisky straight from the barrel (photo: Freepik)

Sweden

Sweden has unique drinks, like Gotlandsdricka, a homemade juniper beer, which even has its own championship. Scandinavian countries boldly experiment with strong drinks, and Sweden is no exception.

Visiting breweries, tasting infusions, and the atmospheric bars of Stockholm and Gothenburg create a truly authentic experience. Here, you're likely to discover new alcohol trends before they become mainstream.

Moldova

Moldova is one of the largest wine countries in Europe in terms of the number of wineries. Cricova is the largest underground wine complex, Castel Mimi is an elegant château with a museum and restaurants, and Mileștii Mici holds the largest wine collection in the world.

On National Wine Day, even usually closed underground wine cellars are open to tourists. In addition to wine, the country boasts picturesque nature, ancient monasteries, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It's a true discovery for those seeking something new and soulful.

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Sources: websites Huff Post, Trip Advisor, Lifehacker.