Forget Napa Valley and Tuscany. Here are 7 underrated wine regions I love visiting as a sommelier.
As a sommelier, I know a thing or two about which countries have the best vineyards for wine. Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, and Serbia rival Tuscany.
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- As a sommelier, I think more people should know about underrated wine destinations.
- Instead of only looking into Tuscany, consider visiting Lazio on your next trip to Italy.
- Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico and Tokaj in Hungary are often overlooked but have great wine.
I first delved into wine while studying in Australia. I ventured to wineries in the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley, and the wines I sampled were a far cry from Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill and $6 Californian "champagne."
This initial exposure spurred my serious wine pursuit in Italy. By 2009, I'd completed an 18-month program and became a certified sommelier.
France and Italy are the two top-producing wine countries in the world, so naturally, I've had delightful experiences exploring their better-known regions. But I sought diversity beyond their structured wine tourism and hospitality scenes.
In 2012, I joined the #winelover Facebook group, a platform for like-minded wine enthusiasts who arrange meet-ups and trips. My firsthand encounters via the group have eclipsed any textbook — solidifying my belief that visiting different regions is the best way to understand wine.
Here are seven of my favorite, underrated wine regions I've visited.
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The country of Georgia has been making wine for over 8,000 years, so it's an essential destination for any wine enthusiast.
Kakheti, Georgia's wine epicenter, has many wineries to explore. I think you need multiple days to absorb the region's wines and culture, allowing time for visits to famous qvevri makers and monasteries.
I also recommend taking a day trip from the capital city of Tbilisi to visit Sighnaghi, often dubbed the City of Love for its round-the-clock wedding services alongside stunning Greater Caucasus mountain views.
Wine expert Natia Khidasheli hosts tours that can facilitate your journey from Tbilisi.
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Serbia has a similar climate to famous French wine regions and showcases immense potential as a wine-producing nation.
Once a key European wine producer in the 19th century, the country faced challenges from phylloxera, wars, and communist rule, leading to vineyard devastation. But in recent years, a surge in small wineries has helped revitalize the industry.
Quantities remain limited, but Serbian wines continue to elevate in quality, garnering international recognition.
Prominent wineries like Matalj Winery, celebrated for its traditional winemaking techniques and rich history, mark Serbia's renaissance. Additionally, Aleksandrovic Winery shines with innovative blends and sustainable practices, and Despotika Winery stands out for picturesque vineyards and award-winning wines.
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The Douro Valley is Portugal's renowned wine region that has incredible viticultural areas for vineyards. In fact, it's the world's oldest demarcated wine region, famed for making port.
Beyond fortified wines like port, the area produces a range of table wines.
The Douro Valley's popularity as a wine-tourism destination has surged in recent decades. The region's miles of terraced vineyards offer breathtaking vistas and scenic river panoramas.
I'd book a river cruise aboard a traditional rabelo boat to explore the area. But Catavino Wine Tours also offers some authentic experiences by fostering relationships with smaller regional producers.
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Priorat, located in northeastern Spain near Tarragona, boasts a rugged landscape framed by the Montsant Mountains. It offers panoramic views of the Pyrenees on clear days and embodies a rich viticultural history.
The Carthusian monks initiated winemaking in the region during the 12th century, and Priorat embraces its past with sites like the Monastery of Escaladei, often called the "stairway to God."
Noteworthy wineries like Clos Figueras and Vinyes Domènech welcome visitors and showcase the region's distinct offerings.
But if you're looking for more guidance, Sinisa Curovic and Sara Curovic Rönnberg of Sweet Easy Wine Tours organize visits from Tarragona.
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Tokaj, Hungary's wine region, consists of about 30 villages and towns that all house wineries where visitors can sample a range of dry and sweet varieties.
The region's cold volcanic-rock cellars and historical ambiance set it apart as a must-visit destination.
Beyond wine, medieval castles, hiking trails, and fine-dining establishments beckon travelers to delve into the region's rich offerings.
Taste Hungary, a Budapest-based wine and food tour company, arranges nice excursions to Tokaj if you're looking for a broader view of the region.
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There's no need to endure lengthy drives from Rome to Tuscany to savor some exceptional Italian wine. Frascati, nestled in the Lazio region, is a quick train ride away from the capital city.
The train ushers passengers through the rolling hills of Castelli Romani, which are adorned with small towns, vineyards, and olive groves.
Frascati boasts world-class wines and a storied viticultural history dating back to 5,000 BC. The town's higher elevations afford it sweeping views of Rome and the Tyrrhenian coast.
Beyond the town of Frascati, the viticultural area encompasses Grottaferrata and Monte Porzio Catone, stretching northwards into Rome's southern suburbs and eastwards into Monte Compatri.
If you're planning a trip, Merumalia produces organic wines in scenic locations and La Torretta crafts wines in ancient Roman cisterns. For an even more enriching experience, Cantina Ribelà produces outstanding natural wines that pay homage to the region's heritage.
Casa Mia also organizes food and wine tours throughout the area.
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Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, lies just an hour south of Tijuana, making it an ideal weekend getaway for wine aficionados from Los Angeles or San Diego.
The region's unique positioning in the northern Baja peninsula gives it a Mediterranean microclimate conducive to year-round wine production.
Valle de Guadalupe has over 150 wineries, and if you're coming from the US border, I recommend booking trips with Baja Winery Tours.