The best wine from all over the world (trust us)

It may only be Tuesday, but we're already daydreaming about the first precious drop of wine come Friday at 5pm. Keen to impress this long weekend with your extensive wine knowledge and somellier-esque vocabulary? Us too.

We've sipped our way around the globe to deliver you the best and most historic wines the world has to offer. From right here in New Zealand to America and Europe, our curated list will ensure you are well equipped for a first class wine journey the world over. 

First Stop: Malborough, New Zealand
Drink this: Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016
What better way to start our wines around the world tour than with a cheeky tipple made right here in NZ. With flavours that can only be produced in New Zealand and are globally recognised, this cool climate wine is another one of Cloudy Bay's classics. In it's 32nd vintage, concentrated with citrus and stone fruit - what's not to like! 

Second Stop: Barossa Valley, Australia
Drink this: Henschke Mt Edelstone Shiraz 2012
Make your way over the ditch to one of the world's most famous wine countries - the Barossa Valley. Shiraz, also known as Syrah, is a French grape that first arrived in Oz in the 1830's. This Shiraz comes from more than 100 Shiraz vines in the Eden Valley - a rich and powerful wine with ripe berry and plum flavours with spicy herb layers. A red wine lover's dream drop. 

Third Stop: Hermanus, South Africa
Drink this: Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2010
No this isn't a Tri Nations trip, although the itinerary may sound like it. South Africa is considered a New World wine region, and is now the ninth largest producer of wine in the world. Their specialty? South Africa viticulturists never fail to impress when producing a new red wine. This particular blend was put on the map by Hamilton Russell, this Pinot Noir is a great example of the powerful and spicy characters typically found in South African reds, but with all the dark berry, silky fruit notes of a classic Pinot Noir. 

Fourth Stop: Napa Valley, Northern America
Drink this: Opus One Cabernet 2010 
Pack your bags, we're heading up to one of the most iconic winery regions, ever. Cab Sav is  the acknowledged king of grapes in the Napa Valley. Opus One is a shining example of how a Cabernet blend is done very well. Polished and lengthy velvety tannins. 

Fifth Stop: Ribera Del Duero, Spain 
Drink this: Dominio De Pingus Pis Tempranillo 2009
Crowned by Robert Parker as 'One of the greatest and most exciting wines I have ever tasted.' PIS is the third wine produced by Pingus, the cult wine maker from the Ribera del Duero region - Spain's most famous wine region. This is a dark and colourful wine, with black plum characters and flavours of the oak barrels Tempranillo is often aged in. 

Sixth Stop: Champagne, France
Drink this: Dom Perignon Champagne 2006
What kind of wine tour would this be if we didn't at least stop in at the home of our favourite French fizz - Champagne. Considered by many as the spiritual father of champagne, Perignon only creates vintage wines. Only the best grapes of the most exceptional years, each vintage is distinctive and embodies the power of creation by Dom Perignon. As for this 2006 vintage, it has a silky complex and is full of rich candied fruit and toasted notes. The elegantly fine fizz melts away slowly after each sip. 

Seventh Stop - Piedmont, Italy
Drink this: Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2007
It is hard to go wrong with a wine made by one of Italy's most legendary wine producers - Angelo Gaja. This wine has been made from the Nebbiolo grape, when young this wine is highly tannic but as it ages it develops a richer colour and fuller flavour with herb, truffle and tobacco characteristics. 

Eighth Stop: Rheingau, Germany
Drink this: Schloos Vollrads Riesling 2014
The perfect wine for food pairing, this Riesling is from one of the worlds oldest wineries dating back to 1330. The Schloss Vollrads Riesling is a lovely wine with balanced acidity and sweetness, off-dry with delicious floral and green apple notes.