9 Lesser-Known Wine Regions You Should Visit Around The World

9 Lesser-Known Wine Regions You Should Visit Around The World

There are so quite a few wine-escalating areas about the earth that it’s difficult to maintain keep track of of them all. From Napa Valley in California to Bordeaux in France, wine lovers have plenty of choices when it comes to organizing their following family vacation. But, what about the lesser-recognized wine regions?

These spots are generally disregarded but give some of the most distinctive and delicious wines in the world. They go unnoticed since they never export their wines or they’re overshadowed by extra perfectly-identified nearby locations.

Additionally, when you pay a visit to significantly less well-known wine areas, you’re probably to conserve fairly a bit of money. Wine tasting costs, as very well as the wines themselves, are a lot less pricy when compared to popular and famous wine areas.

In this website put up, we will discover 9 lesser-recognised wine areas that you must check out on your upcoming trip! 

Dry Vineyard and chalk soil in Santa Rita Hills California

One of the greatest things about viewing Santa Rita Hills is that you can easily make a working day vacation out of it.

Image credit: Michael Achach / SHutterstock.com

1. Santa Rita Hills, California

Recognised For: Pinot Noir And Chardonnay

If you are a fan of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, then you’ll like the wines from Santa Rita Hills. This is 1 of the wine regions that was highlighted in the 2004 movie “Sideways.” It is located about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles and is house to some of the finest wineries in California.

Simply because of the exclusive terrain, the local climate is best for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape cultivation. The hills operate east to west, allowing for ocean winds from the Pacific Ocean to enter the valley shaped by the hills and deliver a amazing maritime breeze that balances out the heat and incredibly hot times.

1 of the most effective points about checking out Santa Rita Hills is that you can easily make a working day vacation out of it. The pretty and picturesque metropolis of Santa Barbara is just an hour away, so you can visit the location and then head again to the city for evening meal.

Leading Wineries

Vineyard in the hills of Stellenbosch in South Africa

Vineyard in the hills of Stellenbosch in South Africa

Image credit: Peter Wollinga / Shutterstock.com

2. Stellenbosch, South Africa

Recognized For: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, And Sauvignon Blanc

Located in the Western Cape of South Africa, Stellenbosch is a person of the oldest wine areas in the place. The location was to start with settled by the Dutch in 1679 and has a prolonged history of wine output. The region is property to some of the very best wineries in South Africa and produces a selection of wines, together with one particular of my favorites that is primarily identified in South Africa known as Pinotage.

Pinotage is a red wine that is made from a cross involving Pinot Noir and Cinsault grapes. It’s a full-bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, plum, and spice. If you are seeking for a distinctive and tasty wine, then you have to attempt Pinotage.

Stellenbosch has a favorable climate for grape growing, with warm summers and awesome winters. The spot is significantly suited for viticulture mainly because of the properly-drained, hilly terrain.

One of the best factors about checking out Stellenbosch is that Cape Town is only a 40-moment travel away. Cape Town is just one of Africa’s most well-known vacationer places, and for very good explanation. The metropolis is stuffed with gorgeous shorelines, amazing food stuff, and welcoming persons.

Leading Wineries

New buildings and vineyard in Santorini, Greece

The beautiful island has the most outstanding seaside sights, romantic sunsets, and remarkable cliffs adorned with white-washed households.

Picture credit history: Philip Lange / Shutterstock.com

3. Santorini, Greece

Regarded For: Assyrtiko, Athiri, And Aidani

Santorini is 1 of the most renowned and stunning islands in the earth. Most people today don’t know that it is also a person of the very best wine locations in Greece. The island is located in the Aegean Sea and is aspect of the Cyclades island group.

The Mediterranean climate on Santorini is perfect for viticulture because of the prolonged, hot summers and mild winters. The island is also quite dry, with incredibly small rainfall. This is great for grape escalating since it decreases the threat of sickness.

The primary grapes developed on Santorini are Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani. Assyrtiko is the island’s flagship wine grape that creates dry, crisp, and refreshing white wines. It is a scrumptious white wine that is perfect for a hot summer time day.

Santorini is a have to-see for every person. The beautiful island has the most outstanding seaside sights, intimate sunsets, and spectacular cliffs adorned with white-washed houses. Now you know the island is also a terrific spot to pay a visit to and sample some of Greece’s most effective wines.

Leading Wineries

vineyard on the mount etna and Castiglione of Sicily on background, sicily, italy

Vineyards in the vicinity of Sicily’s Mount Etna

Image credit history: Georgia Carini / Shutterstock.com

4. Sicily, Italy

Regarded For: Nero D’Avola And Frappato

Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea and is positioned just off the southern coast of Italy. There are several nicely-known wine areas in Italy, like Tuscany and Piedmont, but this island has a lengthy heritage of winemaking that goes back to ancient instances.

The most typical grapes developed on the island are Nero d’Avola and Frappato. Nero d’Avola is a crimson wine grape that generates complete-bodied wines with flavors of blackberry, plum, and spice. Frappato is a purple wine grape that is turning out to be extra well-liked simply because it makes gentle-bodied, refreshing, fruit-ahead quick-ingesting wines.

Sicily is a great location to check out if you’re interested in record, lifestyle, cuisine, and lesser-recognised but great wines. The island has a little something for absolutely everyone, from its breathtaking seashores to its historic metropolitan areas.

Top rated Wineries

Vineyards near Weissenkirchen Wachau Austria in autumn colored leaves on a sunny day

Vineyards in the vicinity of Weissenkirchen Wachau, Austria, in autumn-coloured leaves

Image credit score: Stefan Rotter / Shutterstock.com

5. Wachau, Austria

Identified For: Grüner Veltliner And Riesling

The Wachau is a smaller wine area located in northern Austria. It is a person of the most well known and effectively-regarded wine regions in Austria. The area is located on the Danube River and has a very long background of viticulture.

The main grapes developed in the region are Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Grüner Veltliner is a dry white wine grape that creates lean, earthy, and crisp wines. It is the most common wine varietal in Austria. This is one particular of my most loved options at eating places in the United States due to the fact it supplies significant-high quality wine that is commonly available at a excellent rate.

Considering the fact that 2000, Wachau has been a UNESCO World Heritage Website, an place of normal elegance, and magnificent vistas. It is a superb spot to visit for the scenery by yourself.

Leading Wineries

View of Hunter Valley vineyards, NSW, Australia

Hunter Valley is recognised for its picturesque landscape with its rolling hills and verdant vineyards.

Image credit history: Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

6. Hunter Valley, Australia

Recognized For: Semillon, Chardonnay, And Shiraz

It is not the most popular, but it is one of the to start with wine locations in Australia. The Hunter Valley is a wine area located in New South Wales, Australia. The location is positioned about 220 km (140 miles) north of Sydney.

The major white grapes grown in the Hunter Valley are Semillon and Chardonnay. Semillon is a white wine grape that produces dry wines with crisp citrus flavors and brilliant acidity. Their Chardonnay has a mineral acidity and tastes of white peach and citrus, with a trace of oak.

The Shiraz grape wide range is Australia’s most renowned, ordinarily coming from the Barossa and Clare Valleys. Even so, one of the very first places to make this renowned wine was Hunter Valley. Shiraz from the area are medium-bodied with a distinctly savory taste due to the fact of the warm climate and shorter escalating year. The older vines from the spot also lead to a additional sophisticated and earthy taste.

Hunter Valley is known for its picturesque landscape with its rolling hills and verdant vineyards. The area is a well-known tourist spot for wine fans and foodies alike.

Prime Wineries

Tokaj vineyard

Tokaji Aszú is a sweet, abundant, and complicated wine that can be costly.

Picture credit rating: Filip Uhrak / Shutterstock.com

7. Tokay, Hungary

Recognised For: Tokaji Aszú

Tokay is a historic wine location situated in Hungary. The location is very best identified for its globe-famous dessert wine, Tokaji Aszú. This sweet wine is designed from grapes that have been afflicted by “noble rot,” a sort of fungus that shrivels the grape and concentrates the sugar.

Tokaji Aszú is a sweet, loaded, and complex wine that can be costly. Nonetheless, it is worthy of the splurge if you have the opportunity to try it. The area is also home to a number of other grape kinds, which includes Furmint and Hárslevelű.

If you’re intrigued in viewing a wine region that is steeped in historical past and makes planet-renowned sweet wines, then Tokay must be significant on your record.

Major Wineries

Chilean organic vineyards in Maipo Valley

Chilean organic vineyards in Maipo Valley

Image credit rating: Tetyana Dotsenko / Shutterstock.com

8. Maipo Valley, Chile

Regarded For: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, And Carménère

The Maipo Valley is a single of the most well-known and properly-known wine areas in South The us. Located just south of the money, Santiago, it is 1 of Chile’s most beautiful destinations. The area’s picturesque magnificence is improved by towering Andean peaks standing as a backdrop.

The most important grape developed in the Maipo Valley is Cabernet Sauvignon. This crimson wine grape provides wines that are total-bodied, tannic, and have significant acidity.

Chilean wines are some of the best price wines you can obtain on the industry. So, I really propose a journey to this place to superior realize and appreciate it since they, much too, deliver some excellent wines. Santiago is also a great spot to take a look at and if you are going, preserve in intellect that lodging could be more cost-effective than in the countryside.

Prime Wineries

Vineyards in Douro Valley, Portugal, Portuguese port wine

Vineyards in Douro Valley, Portugal

Image credit rating: silky / Shutterstock.com

9. Porto, Portugal

Known For: Port Wine

Porto is a historic town positioned in northern Portugal. It is finest recognized for its creation of port wine. Port wine is a fortified wine that is created by adding brandy to wine during the fermentation process. This stops the fermentation and leaves residual sugar in the wine, earning it sweet.

Port wines are normally purple or white. The most common form of port is ruby port, which is a young and fruity wine. Port wines are usually drunk as an just after-meal consume or with dessert.

With a tour tutorial or on your have, Porto is an exceptional metropolis to examine on foot. There are numerous historic port wine cellars in the town within strolling distance of each other. Furthermore, you can also cruise down the Douro River to master much more about port wine at the many lovely Douro Valley wineries.

If you’re interested in seeking port wine, then a stop by to Porto is a must.

Leading Wineries

For extra details on having fun with delicious and savory wines, examine out these posts: