Downward angle icon Downward angle icon Most people have never really tried Serbian wine. Ljubomir Stajkic/Shutterstock As a sommelier, I think more people should know about underrated wine regions. Instead of just looking at Tuscany, consider visiting Lazio on your next trip to Italy. Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley and Hungary’s Tokaj are often overlooked, but they produce amazing wines.
I first became interested in wine while studying in Australia. I visited wineries in the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, but the wines I sampled were nothing like Boone’s Farm’s Strawberry Hill or $6 California “champagne.”
This first encounter spurred my serious pursuit of wine in Italy, and by 2009, I had completed the 18-month program and become a certified sommelier.
France and Italy are two of the world’s top wine producing countries, so naturally I’ve had fun exploring the better-known regions of both countries, but I was looking for some diversity beyond the organized wine tourism and hospitality scenes.
In 2012, I joined the #winelover Facebook group, a platform for like-minded wine lovers to meet and organize meetups and trips. The first-hand experiences I gained through this group were better than any textbook and cemented my belief that visiting different regions is the best way to understand wine.
Here are seven of my favorite underrated wine regions I’ve visited.
Georgia has a long history of winemaking.
Sighnaghi is a beautiful city in the Kakheti region of Georgia. leszczem/Shutterstock
Georgia has been making wine for over 8,000 years, making it a must-see destination for wine lovers.
As the wine capital of Georgia, Kakheti is packed with wineries worth exploring, and we recommend allowing a few days to soak up the region’s wine and culture, including time to visit the famous qvevri producers and monasteries.
Alternatively, take a day trip from the capital, Tbilisi, to Sighnaghi, nicknamed the “City of Love” for its 24-hour wedding services and stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Wine expert Natia Kidasheli runs a tour from Tbilisi to make the journey easier.
Serbia is located at the same latitude as the famous French wine-producing regions.
Beautiful vineyards in Valjevo, Serbia. Valery Bocman/Shutterstock
Serbia has great potential as a wine producing country, as its climate is similar to that of famous wine-growing regions in France.
Once Europe’s leading wine producer in the 19th century, the country faced problems such as phylloxera, war and communist rule that left its vineyards devastated, but in recent years the industry has been revitalized with a proliferation of small wineries.
Although limited in quantity, Serbian wines are continually improving in quality and gaining international recognition.
Renowned wineries such as Matari Winery, known for its traditional winemaking techniques and rich history, symbolize the resurgence of Serbia, while Aleksandrović Winery shines with its innovative blends and sustainable practices, and Despotica Winery stands out for its picturesque vineyards and award-winning wines.
Portugal’s Douro Valley is one of the most highly acclaimed wine-growing regions in the world.
Vineyards spread across the slopes of Portugal’s Douro Valley. trabantos/Shutterstock
The Douro Valley is a famous wine region of Portugal, with great viticultural areas for vineyards. In fact, it is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and is famous for the production of Port wine.
The region produces a variety of table wines as well as fortified wines such as Port.
The Douro Valley has become an increasingly popular wine tourism destination in recent decades, and the region’s miles of terraced vineyards offer breathtaking views and beautiful river panoramas.
To explore the region, book a river cruise aboard a traditional Ravello boat, but Catavino Wine Tours also offers authentic experiences by cultivating relationships with the region’s small producers.
Priorat in Catalonia is my favourite place in Spain.
Catalonia has a lot to explore, including Priorat. puyalroyo/Shutterstock
Located near Tarragona in northeastern Spain, Priorat boasts a rugged landscape surrounded by the Montsanto mountain range, offers panoramic views of the Pyrenees on clear days and is steeped in a rich viticultural history.
Carthusian monks began making wine in the region in the 12th century, and Priorat keeps that history alive with historical sites such as the Escaladei Monastery, also known as the “Stairway to God.”
Renowned wineries such as Clos Figueras and Vinyes Domènech welcome visitors and showcase the region’s unique wines.
But if you want a more in-depth guide, Sinisa Curovic and Sara Curovic Rönnberg of Sweet Easy Wine Tours organise tours from Tarragona.
Tokaj, Hungary has many wineries to visit.
The town of Tokaj is known as a producer of Hungarian wine. daulon/Shutterstock
Tokaj, Hungary’s wine region, is made up of around 30 villages and towns, all with wineries where visitors can sample a range of wines, from dry to sweet.
The area’s cold volcanic rock underground chambers and historic atmosphere make it a must-visit destination.
Beyond the wine, medieval castles, hiking trails and fine dining invite visitors to explore the region’s rich charm.
Taste Hungary, a Budapest-based wine and food tour company, arranges fantastic trips to Tokaj for those wanting to explore the region more widely.
Instead of Tuscany, visit Italy’s less popular region of Lazio.
From wineries to historic villas, there’s plenty to explore in Italy’s Lazio region. ValerioMei/Shutterstock
You don’t have to make a long drive from Rome to Tuscany to enjoy some great Italian wine. Located in Lazio, Frascati is just a short train ride away from the capital.
The train takes passengers through the rolling hills of the Castelli Romani region, filled with small towns, vineyards and olive groves.
Frascati boasts world-class wines and a viticultural history that dates back to 5000 BC. The town’s high altitude offers spectacular views of Rome and the Tyrrhenian coast.
The vineyard area extends beyond the town of Frascati, embracing Grottaferrata and Monte Porzio Catone, to the southern outskirts of Rome in the north and Monte Compatri in the east.
If you’re planning a trip, Mermaria produces organic wines in a scenic location, La Torretta vinifies wine in an ancient Roman cistern, and for an even more enriching experience, Cantina Ribera produces fantastic natural wines that pay tribute to the region’s traditions.
Casa Mia also organizes food and wine tours throughout the region.
Valle de Guadalupe is the wine mecca of Mexico.
Valle de Guadalupe is not far from the California region. Shelley V. Smith/Shutterstock
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, is just an hour south of Tijuana and is an ideal weekend getaway destination for wine lovers from Los Angeles or San Diego.
The region’s unique location in the northern part of the Baja Peninsula provides a Mediterranean microclimate ideal for year-round wine production.
Valle de Guadalupe is home to over 150 wineries, and if you’re coming from the US border, we recommend booking a tour with Baja Winery Tours.
