Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, Tuscany … yeah, yeah, you’ve heard about all of them. But with a blossoming number of people interested in alternative vino across the globe, and the recession encouraging consumers to try cheaper, less notable brands, many boutique wine regions are sprouting up—and in some very unexpected places. While a few of these regions are growing wine grapes for the first time, many others already have a rich history of traditional winemaking that’s only now gaining the respect of international wine drinkers.
Although you can buy the wines of these emerging wine regions at specialty shops and online, going wine tasting is a great way to enjoy wine firsthand. You’ll be able to experience gorgeous scenery without the crowds of other photo opp-worthy tourist spots and get a real (ahem), taste, of the local culture.
Istria, Slovenia
The production of wine in Slovenia dates back to the fourth century BCE (vastly predating Roman wine production!) when Celtic and Illyrian tribes settled there. Given the region’s deep cultural winemaking roots, it’s no wonder Slovenia has become one of the most well-developed wine producers of the former Yugoslavian countries.
The Istria region joins Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, and produces some of the country’s best wine … although outside of Slovenia many don’t know it. Only 10 percent of Slovenia’s 26.4 million gallons of wine a year are exported out of the country, which means a lot of the wine produced here goes almost completely unnoticed by the international wine community.
And if white wine isn’t your thing, don’t worry; although Slovenia is known for it’s whites (75 percent of its wine production is white) the Istria region has more to offer. The region is also known for it’s Refosco grapes that produce tannic and slightly bitter-but-fruity reds.
Where to go: The Vinakoper winery is a great place to try Refosco; one of its bottles won a local silver medal in 2008.
Temecula, California
Northern California may be known for its amazing wine regions … but Southern California? Although the Temecula region may be relatively new (the first winery was planted less than forty years ago), Temecula is now home to twenty-four wineries. Located about an hour north of San Diego and a few hours south of Los Angeles, Temecula has become a staycation spot for the SoCal crowd.
Although there’s a history of winemaking nearby in the Mission padres in San Juan Capistrano, deciding recently to grow wine in Temecula was a geographically strategic choice, not a cultural one. Temecula is located on a plateau twenty miles from the ocean. And although the weather can get pretty warm, cool Pacific Ocean breezes travel through Rainbow Gap (a break in the mountains), keeping the grapes cool. In addition, since Temecula has warm temperatures and little rainfall year-round, high-tech underground aquafiers irrigate the plants regularly.
Where to go: The Maurice Car’rie Winery uses the oldest vines in the region to make a tasty Sauvignon Blanc. Its 2007 vintage won six medals in 2008.
Serra Gaúcha, Brazil
Located in the southern tip of the country, the Serra Gaúcha region of Brazil is responsible for around 90 percent of the country’s wine production. Wine has been produced in this region since the eighteenth century when Italian immigrants brought winemaking to the area, although traditionally wine in Brazil was made for local consumption, not for exporting. But since the sixties, Brazil has slowly become more established on the international wine scene. And after Ibravin (the Brazilian Wine Institute) was established in 1997 to regulate growing and to promote wine, Brazil has emerged as one of the premiere winemaking countries in South America.
Where to go: Casa Valduga specializes in sparkling wines and has the largest sparkling wine cellar in Latin America
Originally published on NileGuide
