22 Under-The-Radar International Wine Regions You Need To Know

There are undoubtedly some big players in the wine industry (Italy, France, and Spain are the usual top three, per Statista), but you would be missing out if you stopped your exploration there. While the many established wine regions are a great source if you need to grab a bottle off the shelf in seconds, you'll want to expand your horizons if you're seeking novelty. Given that humans have been fermenting fruit for several millennia, it's no surprise that wine production has spread worldwide.

If you're tired of sipping on the same select bottles or reaching for the same shelf at your local wine store, let us guide you through the under-rated international wine regions you need to know. From places with a rich history and minimal marketing to areas that are redefining the limits of viticulture, there is something for everyone. As an added bonus, many of these regions offer excellent value given their relative anonymity. Plus, you may just find yourself inspired to head on a wine-themed holiday.

Although our neighbors to the north are well known for producing ice wine, there is more to the country's viticulture than the frosty specialty. Niagara, Ontario, and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia have received some international recognition, but the chilly province of Quebec is also seeing an emergence of winemakers and vineyards.

Among them, the Appalachian Foothills, which includes the area of Dunham in the Eastern Townships, is considered to be the origin of the province's wine industry. Considering that the region's climate only guarantees around 200 frost-free days a year, local viticulture is not for the fainthearted. International grapes are often set aside for hybrid varieties made with cold-tolerant features. The selection outside of Quebec is still minimal, but Pinard & Filles' low-intervention wines are receiving plenty of buzz.

Chile and Argentina might have captured the bulk of South American wine exports, but sparkling wine lovers should note that Brazil is marketing itself as the "land of bubbles." Vale dos Vinhedos is part of the Serra Gaúcha, a highland area in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The region's viticultural history dates back to the late 1800s when Italian immigrants settled in the area and, in no small part, helped shape Brazil's diverse culinary landscape.

Although you can try reds made from merlot and cabernet sauvignon or still white wines, listen to the marketing folks and try the bubbles. You'll have your choice of sweet or dryer styles primarily made from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. Miolo Cuvée Tradition Brut is an exemplary introduction to the region's potential.

While the British pub culture is widely known, the country's viticultural identity is a secret to many. The southeast contains most of the vineyards, including Kent, which has long been known as the "Garden of England." While some of the marketing strategies rely on the similarities between the local chalky soils and those of nearby Champagne, Kent stands out on its own merit with around 50 vineyards producing quality wines. That being said, it's worth noting that the Taittinger Champagne house owns vineyard properties in Kent, fully endorsing the caliber of the region.

Sample a bottle of traditional-method brut sparkling wine by Chapel Down, one of the area's top producers. The blend of chardonnay, pinot blanc, pinot meunier, and pinot noir is the perfect start to your British wine journey.

With a viticultural history spanning thousands of years, it should come as no surprise that Lebanon produces exceptional wine. While war and political unrest have caused a rift in the country's rich wine history, the establishment of the Union Viticole du Liban in 1997 set it on the right path. Most of the country's vineyards are found in the Bekaa Valley wine region, a high-altitude region separated from the desert by mountain ranges.

Red grapes flourish here with southern French varieties (cinsault, mourvèdre, and carignan) mingling with Bordeaux varieties like cabernet sauvignon and merlot, a hint at the country's French colonial history. International white grapes such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and Lebanese viognier are also common. Try a red blend from Château Ksara, one of the country's oldest operating commercial wineries.

With its enviable coastline and seaside influence, Dalmatia is home to numerous vineyards on the Croatian mainland and on nearby islands, where evidence shows grapes were grown long ago. In the south, native red grapes thrive on steep precarious slopes, as the Croatia tourism website details. White wines are full-bodied, boldly flavored, and typically made with indigenous varieties.

Although you'll find some recognizable grape varieties, the true magic lies in the local grapes. Small wineries are the norm, and the attention to viticulture and wine production is on par with Croatia's well-known neighbors. With an ideal Mediterranean climate, this region is poised to expand its current reach. Savor the complexities of the red grape plavac from Zlatan Otok's Hvar island vineyards.

The coastal vineyards of the Casablanca Valley are home to some of Chile's most elegant wines. With refreshing sea breezes, cyclical fog patterns, and a coastal mountain range, this cool-climate region will make you reconsider Chilean wine. In particular, white wine lovers will be pleasantly surprised by the crisp and mineral aromatic style.

Sauvignon blanc and chardonnay grapes are the main players here, offering a sense of familiarity if you're hesitant to experiment with the unknown. Meanwhile, red wines from warmer vineyard areas are also well-represented with merlot and syrah among the top varieties. Vistamar Corte de Campo Coastal is a blend of chardonnay grapes with a hint of viognier, making this a vibrant and fruity white wine to serve with seafood, evoking its vineyards of origin.

Although Hungary's Tokaj region is well known internationally, the country boasts a notable area under vine thanks to an expansive history of grape growing. While access to wines overseas is still limited, there are some excellent wine options from Szekszárd available in U.S. wine shops. This area is located in the south of the country and experiences long growing seasons. High-quality red and rosé wines are the area's selling points, but white wine drinkers won't be disappointed. 

Anyone with a curious palate is sure to be satisfied by the wide range of indigenous grapes (though Bordeaux varieties are also common). Try a bottle of Kékfrankos, the country's most planted red grape variety, from the Heimann Family Estate.

Turkey has been a center for wine production for thousands of years, thanks to its varied terrain, excellent climate, and diverse soils. While Turkey grows some of the highest volumes of grapes worldwide, most are used as table grapes and raisins. That being said, wines made from one-of-a-kind grapes are the specialty.

The Aegean Coast is influenced by the nearby sea and warm Mediterranean climate. Vineyards at higher altitudes experience cooler conditions, offering a range of styles. Boldly flavored red wines and aromatic whites made from indigenous grapes mingle with international varieties in this region's eclectic selection. Exports to the U.S. are low, but consumers will be satisfied by wines from Urla Sarapcilik.

Given the country's diverse geography, Israel's wine regions are equally varied. While its viticultural history extends far back, production mostly halted for a number of centuries until immigrants began to reestablish vineyards. The majority of wine made in Israel is kosher and exported.

In the northeast, Golan Heights consists of a high-altitude volcanic plateau, cooled by neighboring snowy peaks. The area has been planted with fine vines since the '70s and offers some of the easiest access to Israeli wines overseas. With a general focus on Bordeaux and Rhône red varieties, full-bodied whites are also increasingly common. The Golan Heights Winery has influenced the quality throughout the country, and its Yarden Mount Hermon red is a bold Bordeaux red blend.

Given China's sheer size, it shouldn't come as a surprise that vineyards are planted in various regions. Among them, Ningxia in the "golden zone" of central north China is considered to be the top wine producing area. Situated at the foothills of the Helan mountains, the climate and soil types support healthy grapes. In fact, a hundred or so wineries are in business here, partly thanks to plenty of government aid to boost agriculture.

Many Bordeaux grape varieties like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet gernischt (aka carmenère) are grown in Ningxia, as well as Italian riesling, which is unrelated to riesling, as well as chardonnay and marselan. Additionally, hybrid varieties can be found across the country. Silver Heights' The Last Warrior Red is a glimpse at China's take on Bordeaux blends.

Spanish wine is available at just about any wine shop, but the Canary Islands are less represented. Seven islands off the coast of northwestern Africa make up the archipelago, each with its own conditions and terrain. Given its distant location, viticulture has taken its own path with dozens of indigenous grape varieties only found here.

With a focus on family-owned wineries, the islands take great pride in the local traditions and natural wonders. The island of Lanzarote is known for its lunar-like terroir due to volcanic activity. Consequently, the soils are highly unique, creating one-of-a-kind wines. To protect the vines from harsh winds, they are grown in pits surrounded by low stone barriers. Try the local listán negro grape from Bodega Los Bermejos.