Anyone for a tipple? Europe's best wine regions revealed - and France doesn't even make the top five

Ernest Hemingway once said: 'My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine.'We should heed the warning of the erudite writer, then, and savour the best vino the world has to offer from the top regions across the globe. Better that than to have any regrets.To help with your mission, European Best Destinations has revealed the best wine regions in Europe in a new ranking.Based on factors such as diversity of grape and styles, wine tourism infrastructure, sustainability and authenticity, the top 12 destinations have emerged – and the winning spot might surprise you.Read on for a rundown of the best places for wine lovers to visit across Europe...1. Štajerska, Slovenia Taking the winning spot as the best wine region in Europe is Štajerska in SloveniaThis year's winner has been praised as Europe's most promising cool-climate wine region: Štajerska in Slovenia.Exploring Štajerska will lead you through historic towns, family estates and aged cellars, taking you on a journey passing by the world's oldest vine – and the birthplace of Slovenian sparkling wine.The region encompasses smaller areas such as Maribor, Ptuj, Jeruzalem Slovenija, Haloze, Slovenske gorice, Ravno polje and Pohorje, each with their own diverse stories to tell and wines to taste.2. Langhe-Roero-Monferrato, Italy Scooping up the second place silver award is Langhe–Roero–Monferrato, ItalyLanghe-Roero-Monferrato takes second place, an Italian region covered in rolling hills, high-up villages and family estates.The most common grape variety found here is Nebbiolo, which makes red wines.Don't miss the food. The region is known for its truffles – expect long lunches and leisurely evenings. 3. Ribeira Sacra, Spain The bronze winner – in third place – is Spain's Ribeira Sacra regionUp next is Ribeira Sacra, a deeply dramatic region filled with canyon walls, stunning views along the Miño river and cliffside trails.'Mencía thrives here, delivering delicate, aromatic reds shaped by altitude and slate soils,' the ranking reveals.This untouched Galicia region is a far cry from busier, better-known vineyards in Spain, and is great for those seeking a real immersion in nature. 4. Kamptal, Austria Kamptal, Austria takes home the fourth place prize for best wine regionsWhite wine lovers, listen up: if you like Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, this is the region for you.Kamptal is modern, with cool-climate wines grown on terraces and influenced by granite and night breezes.'Couples come for design hotels, peaceful vineyard walks, spa rituals and elegant farm-to-table dining. It’s a region where refinement feels effortless,' the list says. 5. Chianti Rufina, Italy Rounding out the top five is Italian gem Chianti RufinaChianti Classico's little sister, Chianti Rufina, is faithful to old-world winemaking culture.Sangiovese is the order of the day here, with the red wines on offer elegant and aromatic.'This is Tuscany for travellers seeking authenticity: agriturismo stays surrounded by olive groves, tiny cellars set in 16th–century farmhouses, slow dinners with handmade pasta, and scenic hikes between hamlets,' European Best Destinations says. 6. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, France Sancerre and Pouilly–Fumé in France comes in sixth place While France – surprisingly – just misses out on a spot in this year's top five, neighbouring spots Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé have crept into sixth place.Sauvignon Blanc comes in two styles here: floral and crisp or smoky. Take your pick, depending on your personal tastes.Beyond the beverages, you can spend your time exploring the Loire and its panoramic views and family estates. 7. Etna, Italy Another Italian destination to make the cut is the Etna regionEtna in Sicily is up next, with a dramatic landscape: volcanic scenery and stone terraces punctuate this unique wine region.What to drink? Mount Etna’s ethereal reds are a real treat, while white wines are just as good here.The vines grow in mineral-rich volcanic ash, producing a smoky, earthy taste for which this corner of the world is so well known.8. Saumur and Anjou, France Saumur and Anjou in France comes in position number eightSaumur and Anjou in France is ideal for cellar tastings, with many historic hotels and vineyards to visit.Top choices for wine here are Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc.To visit, you'll need to fly to either Nantes or Tours, and then drive for an hour and a half to reach the winelands. 9. Wachau, Austria The ninth place spot in the ranking goes to Wachau in Austria'The Wachau is a storybook stretch of the Danube, where stone terraces rise steeply above bright blue water and medieval towers guard small wine villages,' the study says.It's best for lovers of white wine, with Grüner Veltliner and Riesling top picks.To keep your itinerary full while you take a break from sipping on fresh whites, you can also enjoy the multitude of cycling paths, apricot orchards, historic courtyards and old taverns for dining. 10. Valle d'Aosta, Italy The stunning Valle d'Aosta in Italy rounds out the top 10 in the listIn tenth place is Valle d'Aosta, Italy's smallest wine region. But by no means does its bijou size make it less impressive.Beyond the wines, the scenery here is something to write home about, featuring alpine slopes, castles, glaciers and stone villages.You'll need to fly to Geneva or Turin and drive for up to an hour and 20 minutes to reach the region.11. Alentejo, Portugal Portugal's Alentejo region comes in 11th place in the ranking'Alentejo is a land of wide horizons and slow rhythms. Its wines – generous reds, aromatic whites – reflect sunlit plains, cork forests and the region’s deep agricultural soul,' the study says. Praised for its wine hotels, small producers and warm-hearted wines, it's a top pick for oenophiles.The region covers roughly a third of the country – so it's vast and full of choice. 12. Naoussa, Greece Finally, the only Greek vineyard on the list, Naoussa, takes 12th placeNaoussa, a quiet fishermen's village, finishes this year's list.Vineyards are located at the base of Mount Vermio, and you can see orchards, villages and ancient sites nearby.And naturally, this being Greece, the food is also top tier. Expect traditional Greek cuisine with fresh seafood grills and excellent mezze options, washed down, of course, with local wines.