If you’re a wine connoisseur, you’ve already visited some of the world’s most popular wine regions. Maybe Tuscany for the region’s world-renowned Chianti, or perhaps Bordeaux with its reputation for opulent reds. At the very least, you’ve been to Napa for its rich cabernet sauvignon.
But wander outside of the norm and you may be surprised to hear that places like Luxembourg, Wales, Austria and Romania, although unusual, produce some excellent grapes and unusual wines.
Luxembourg has one of the smallest wine-growing regions in Europe. It’s tucked between two of the world’s largest wine producers: Germany and France. Smaller region means smaller production and limited ability to export, but fortunately the limited size of the Moselle Valley doesn’t affect the high quality of wine created there.
Known primarily for dry and sparkling white wines, its most popular are rieslings and a sparkling wine called Crémant de Luxembourg, made in the style of champagne. For a treat, visit Caves St. Martin for a walking tour of their wine caves in Remich.
Wales is in a somewhat rainy, chilly part of the UK so may not at first sound like a good environment to grow wine. It turns out the climate is ideal for certain kinds of wines. With good drainage, hilly landscapes and winds from the sea, Wales produces pinot noir, chardonnay and 18 other types of grapes for award-winning wines.
The Romans initiated wine making here over 2,000 years ago, giving Wales quite a history in the industry. Wine production increased 70% in the last decade with 15 wineries across the country. Look for sparkling wines from Llanerch Vineyard, which won competitions in Italy, and some cheeky rosés.
Austria is known for music, architecture and food, particularly Vienna. But don’t overlook their wine. Vienna’s wine, Wiener Gemischter Satz, is world class. Its history with grapes goes back to 1132 AD and now has 630 producers on 1,700 acres. Producers focus mainly on white grapes like grüner geltliner, riesling and chardonnay. Check out Wieninger Winery, with vineyards on both sides of the Danube, making Grand Select chardonnays and pinot noirs.
Romania is Europe’s fifth-biggest winegrower, producing more wine than New Zealand. Wine has been renowned in Drăgăşani since the 16th century. Family-owned wineries are conveniently close together offering an easy wine trail with warm welcomes.
Here you’ll find merlot, pinot noir and pinot grigio as well as more interesting local varieties, including the rare white grape crâmpoşie selecţionată, and reds like novac and negru de drăgăşani, many of which are only grown in Romania.
