Wine Regions of Europe You’ve Never Heard Of (But Should Taste)

When it comes to wine regions of Europe, most people stick to the usual suspects—France, Italy, Spain—but there’s a whole secret map of wine areas making world-class wine. These are the places where winemaking is more tradition than trend, where grapes grow on volcanoes, cliff sides, and sometimes in places you didn’t even know had grapes. Ever tried a wine from Kakheti in Georgia or Lavaux in Switzerland? Didn’t think so—but your taste buds would thank you. They may not have the fame, but they’ve definitely got the flavor—and often better prices too. So if you’re bored of Merlot and tired of Tempranillo, it’s time to explore the wine map nobody talks about (but everyone should sip from).

Kakheti, Georgia, is one of the oldest wine-producing areas on Earth—humans have been producing wine there for more than 8,000 years! That's older than your calendar! In Kakheti, they still bury gigantic clay vessels called qvevri (try to pronounce this after two glasses) to age the wine. It's like wine takes a warm nap and awakens tasty. The climate is full of sunshine, ideal for cultivating grapes, and the locals are just so serious about wine—so serious that it is almost a lifestyle. Kakheti specializes in robust reds and distinctive amber wines, which are white wines produced with skins on, resulting in a rich hue and full flavor.

Lavaux is a beautiful place in Switzerland where they plant grapes on steep hills. These hills are located next to a large blue lake and mountains in the distance. It's like something out of a fairy tale! They've been producing wine here for a very long time – the 1100s! That's nearly 1,000 years. The slopes are gigantic stairs, and the grapes adore the sun they receive here. The best-known grape is Chasselas, making a white wine that's light, fresh, and silky, perfect with cheese (and there is lots of cheese in Switzerland). The majority of the wine from Lavaux is consumed locally, so it is difficult to find elsewhere. But, if you are ever visiting Switzerland, don't miss out on it! You can walk among the vineyards, gaze at the lake, taste a bit of wine, and feel as if you are in a film.

Alentejo is a warm and wonderful region of Portugal where life takes things slowly and the wine is strong. It's the perfect location to grow grapes because it's warm during the day and cool at night (like a spa for wine). Winemaking has been a process here for thousands of years, and they do it exceedingly well. Alentejo is famous for its rich, smooth, big red wines, reminiscent of a hug in a glass. They also make fresh white wines, fruity and perfect for a sunny day. Some even ferment in massive clay pots – just the same as they used to do long ago! Wine is everyday life, and the locals are very proud of it. And if you like wine, sunshine, and siestas, Alentejo might be your ideal spot.

Tokaj is a small wine region in Hungary, but it produces big, sweet wine, one of the oldest wine regions in the world, and humans have been producing wine here for centuries. Tokaj is best known for a golden sweet wine called Tokaji Aszú, produced from grapes that are infected with a special mould called "noble rot" – it makes the grapes sweeter than candy made by nature. The wine has a honeyed, apricoty flavour with a sunny taste. The kings and queens used to have it, and even now it has a little regal taste to it. The country has gentle hills, plenty of sunshine, and foggy mornings – ideal for creating magic grapes.

Rheingau is a little but renowned wine area in Germany, situated next to the large Rhine River. Humans have been producing wine here for more than 1,000 years—longer than your great-great-grandparents' grandparents! Rheingau's superstar grape is the Riesling—it can produce sweet, dry, or a hint of both wines. The vineyards are located on sun-kissed hills, but the fresh river air makes the grapes well-adjusted and crisp. This combination makes the wine taste like ripe apples, peaches, and sometimes a hint of spice. Rheingau wines are a breeze to drink and absolutely delicious—ideal for parties and picnics. If you're keen to sample German wine that's full of flavor and fun, head to the Rheingau. Prost!

If you get Vienna mixed up with grand music and massive cakes, you're wrong! Vienna is also one of the places to go in Europe for wine enthusiasts. Yes, the city actually produces grapes, and wine production is a part of Vienna's city culture. The vineyards are tiny green pockets of greenery amidst the crowded city. Vienna boasts fresh white wines produced from grapes such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. These wines are snappy and peppery, deserving of a sip while you stroll around or have schnitzel. What's really cool is that Vienna is the only capital city in Europe that has so many vineyards within its borders, so you can drink authentic local wine without having to leave the city