As wine appreciation has seen a major uptick around the world in the past decade, vineyard excursions have become a popular brand of tourism. While major wine houses garner the lion’s share of visitors, boutique producers spur exceptional interest among collectors and more knowledgeable oenophiles. One constant however is that most of wine tourism is concentrated in the same predictable areas. While regions like Bordeaux, Champagne and Napa Valley receive hordes of tourists, other niche districts that cultivate beautiful wines get the cold shoulder.
Here then, are 10 hidden gem wine regions that fly under the radar and deserve some belated attention.
This Pacific Northwest state may not have the same pedigree as a certain neighbour to the south but nonetheless, Oregon has made recent waves in the world of wine. Vinters (and sake producers by the way) benefit from one of the most multifarious geo-climates in which to grow grapes.
The result is that traditional cold and warm weather varietals can be found right in Oregon at the same time. Within the state there are sixteen sub-regions, some of which may be familiar to connoisseurs, such as Yamhill-Carlton and Red Hills Douglas County. Lovers of Pinot Noir will love Oregon. The state produces some of the best in the world.
If you visit Oregon wine country, the beautiful city of Portland is a great place to start.
4. Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
It just makes sense to pair the state of Oregon with British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Both underdogs, both in the Pacific Northwest of North America. While wines from Canada may not have made as many headlines as others from the New World, there is no reason to deny vinters from the Okanagan their props. The climate and picturesque scenery of the valley offers ideal natural tools for vine cultivation.
As a result, British Columbia wine has become the best in Canada - sorry Niagara Peninsula - and laurels from around the world have poured in. A visit to the Thompson Okanagan in particular will provide wine lovers with some idyllic estates, vineyards and farms to choose from. There are at least 66 winery tours available, which again proves that Canada is no slouch when it comes to vino. And if you love Bordeaux, the Okanagan is a must stop. The valley produces some of the best varietals typical of the famous region in France.
The Lake Okanagan Resort is a wonderful place to stay in the area. Of course, one can always begin a trip to the province of British Columbia with a few days in Vancouver and then set out for the Okanagan from there.
What makes Central Otago so special and draws particular interest for our purposes is that the region is the most southerly in terms of wine production. A cool factoid no doubt but useless if the wine were drek. Which it decidedly is not. In point of fact, Central Otago is on the forefront of New World Pinot Noir (yes that grape again) prominence and pumps out some terrific Chardonnay as well. This being Kiwi country, there is Sauvignon Blanc too.
So while Marlborough and other New Zealand regions get most of the press, Central Otago is on the move. The soil consistency is unique in certain mineral deposits, which shines through in the grapes and certainly in the glass. And because the region comprises the only continental climate in New Zealand, the wines just taste different from anywhere else. It must be that pristine mountain air.
Queenstown and Christchurch are ideal ports of call for visitors to Central Otago. Some other suggestions for greater New Zealand may be in order as well.
The small, fiercely independent and proud nation of South America boasts some of the best wines on the continent - that nobody knows about. Just now on the brink of international exposure thanks in part to government and producer efforts to get a public relations machine in gear, Uruguay is quaint and boutique where Chile and Argentina are decidedly not. Oenophiles often label the nation the “New Zealand of South America” which in our opinion, is an injustice to both. To appreciate Uruguay as a wine region, you have to ignore comparisons. The country has a history typical of the continent, with strong wine influences from Spain and Italy.
The climate of much of the country however, is remarkably similar to France. Harsh weather that swivels in temperature and fluctuates wildly results in hardy vines and in Uruguay’s case, this means Tannat. The astringent grape varietal, often scorned and undervalued, was brought over from France in the 1870s. It has since found a home in Uruguay and become the national grape. Visitors to this beautiful country and offbeat wine region quickly discover that given a little love and time, even the most misunderstood grape can turn into beautiful wine - in the right hands.
1. Hungary
Hungary does not get nearly enough attention for the fine wine it produces, which probably has a lot to do with the dominance of France, Italy, Spain and Germany on the continent of Europe. A shame, because while this nation of 10 million is not in the same class as the Rhone or Chianti regions to name two at random, it can stand tall on historical merits. Hungary has had vines since Roman times and perhaps even before that. In addition, only two non-Latin languages in Europe have unique terms for wine: one is Greek and the other is Hungarian.
To wit, there are 6 distinct regions and 9 grape varietals that have origins within the country. Impressive facts and numbers for such a small nation within wine mad Europe. But what makes Hungary so peculiar as a wine producer is the array of influences that have imported exclusive traditions, vines and techniques. It began with the Romans of course but later there were Turkish, Serb, Germanic and even French hands in the proverbial Hungarian vineyard. The result is a wonderful wine culture that deserves explicit tourist attention.
Consider Budapest as the ideal springboard to explore the wine regions of Hungary.
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