10 Lesser Known Wine Regions to try in 2024

Georgia - Kakheti, Alazani Valley:

• Grapes: Saperavi, Rkatsiteli
• Must-Try: Qvevri-aged wines, especially the amber wines.
• Winemakers: Pheasant's Tears, Iago's Wine

Slovenia - Gorizia Hills, Brda:

• Grapes: Rebula (Ribolla Gialla), Refošk (Refosco)
• Must-Try: Orange wines and Teran reds.
• Winemakers: Movia, Kabaj Morel

Italy - Etna, Sicily:

• Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, Carricante
• Must-Try: Etna Rosso, Carricante-based whites.
• Winemakers: Frank Cornelissen, Benanti

France - Savoie, Apremont:

• Grapes: Jacquère, Altesse
• Must-Try: Apremont AOC wines, crisp and vibrant whites.
• Winemakers: Domaine Louis Magnin, André et Michel Quenard

Spain - Bierzo, Castilla y León:

• Grapes: Mencía, Godello
• Must-Try: Mencía reds, especially those from old vines.
• Winemakers: Descendientes de J. Palacios, Raul Perez

Austria - Kamptal, Langenlois:

• Grapes: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling
• Must-Try: Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, mineral-driven Rieslings.
• Winemakers: Weingut Bründlmayer, Weingut Hirsch

Lebanon - Batroun, North Governorate:

• Grapes: Obeidy, Syrah
• Must-Try: Obeidy whites, expressive and elegant Syrahs.
• Winemakers: Château Musar, Ixsir

Portugal - Colares, Lisbon:

• Grapes: Ramisco, Malvasia
• Must-Try: Colares reds, known for their unique sandy soil influence.
• Winemakers: Adega Regional de Colares, Casal Sta. Maria

Greece - Tinos, Cyclades:

• Grapes: Assyrtiko, Mavrotragano
• Must-Try: Assyrtiko whites, rare and intriguing Mavrotragano reds.
• Winemakers: T-Oinos, Domaine de Kalathas

United States - El Dorado County, California:

• Grapes: Zinfandel, Rhône Varietals
• Must-Try: Old-vine Zinfandels, Rhône-style blends.
• Winemakers: Skinner Vineyards, Holly's Hill Vineyard