The world's top wine regions you've probably never heard of

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The world's top wine regions you've probably never heard of

Picturesque Rivaz on Lake Geneva in Switzerland's Lavaux wine region.

Picturesque Rivaz on Lake Geneva in Switzerland's Lavaux wine region.Credit: iStock

You don't have to love wine to love a wine region. Grape-growing areas tend to be some of the most beautiful places on the planet with quaint towns filled with history and charm and quality food scenes that seem to emerge organically.

Of course, it helps to love wine as much as you love its places. That's why so many of us, regardless of our personal predilections, have enjoyed calling through the world's most famous regions on our travels, from Bordeaux to the Barossa and Mendoza to Marlborough.

We fully understand the magic of these places, their beauty and the pedigree but it's time to ramble around in the world's cellar and pull out something dusty and previously unloved by exploring some of the lesser-known and no less rewarding wine regions of the world.

These areas may not have the star power of the Burgundies or the Barolos but still offer beauty, history, great food, wonderful scenery, and of course, delicious wine – all without the rock-star prices.

Here, based on our own travels around the wide world of wine, is Traveller's pick of the obscure bunch. Pick them while they're still ripe.

Contributors: Anthony Dennis, Ben Groundwater, Brain Johnston, Rob McFarland and Ute Junker

YAMANASHI, JAPAN

Yamanashi prefecture, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, produces excellent wine.

Yamanashi prefecture, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, produces excellent wine.

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THE LOWDOWN

Japan is well known for sake and it has also cultivated an impressive reputation for beer and whisky. What's less known, however, is that the country is also producing some excellent wine with most emerging from the gorgeous Yamanashi prefecture, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, west of Tokyo. Wine has been produced here since the 1850s yet Yamanashi wine tourism is still in its infancy.

THE WINES

Yamanashi is known for two local grape varietals: koshu, which produces crisp, aromatic whites; and Muscat Bailey A, a Japanese-bred hybrid that is perfect for soft, fruity red wines.

WHERE TO STAY

Spend a night or two in either the town of Koshu or in Yamanashi City. In each you will find a plethora of wineries to visit for tastings (for a small fee). Fruit Park Fujiya Hotel (fhr.fruitpark.jp) offers a good central location from which to explore the region.

DON'T MISS This region's most famous winery is probably Grace Wine (grace-wine.com), established in 1923, and an award-winning producer of fine koshu. A visit to Grace's Katsunuma cellar door is a must for anyone interested in Japanese wine or who never imagined they would be.

ESSENTIALS

Spring here, from March to May, is a beautiful time to visit the Yamanashi region. See japan.travel

KAKHETI, GEORGIA

One of Georgia's best drops comes from Kakheti.

One of Georgia's best drops comes from Kakheti.

THE LOWDOWN

Ambitious winemakers the world over have discovered qvevri, the ceramic, egg-shaped amphorae that are buried underground and used to ferment and age wine. This is a technique that may seem faddish but actually dates back almost 8000 years – and it comes from Georgia. Here is a country with an amazing wine-making pedigree. One of its best drops comes from Kakheti, a pretty region to the east of Tbilisi, where vast valleys lie in the shadow of the snow-capped Caucasus.

THE WINES

Georgia is best known for two native varietals: rkatsiteli, a versatile white grape with plenty of body; and saperavi, a red with heady dark fruit aromas and potential for ageing.

WHERE TO STAY

Enjoy time in the heart of Kakheti wine country at the charming Tsinandali Estate (radissonhotels.com), a Radisson Collection hotel on a historic estate set among the vineyards.

DON'T MISS

Allow plenty of time to explore Tsinandali (tsinandaliestate.ge), an attraction in its own right, and one richly important to the modern Georgian wine scene. That's evident at the Oenotheque, a museum dedicated to local wine production.

ESSENTIALS Spring – March to May – is the best time to visit Kakheti, when the weather is warm and the vines are budding. See georgia.travel

SUSSEX, ENGLAND

Oxney Organic Estate.

Oxney Organic Estate.Credit: Wojciech Ketz

THE LOWDOWN

England makes award-winning drops from more than 500 vineyards (yes, you read that right). Thanks to its sunny maritime climate, south-facing slopes and cool evenings, the southern county of Sussex accounts for more than a quarter of the UK's annual production. An easy one-hour drive south of London, it's home to more than 50 vineyards, many of which are producing exquisite and acclaimed sparklings.

THE WINES

Parts of Sussex have an almost identical geology and topography to the Champagne region in France (the same chalk seam pops up on either side of the Channel), so it's ideally suited for growing the revered sparkling's three constituent grapes of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. In fact, it does such a good job that Ridgeview's 2006 Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs became the first wine outside of the Champagne region to win the coveted best sparkling trophy in the Decanter World Wine Awards. You'll also find an intriguing selection of lesser-known German varietals, such as muller-thurgau, bacchus and ortega. Thanks to rising temperatures, vineyards have started to have success with lighter-style reds – a fine example being Bolney Wine Estate's 2018 Founder's Edition pinot noir.

WHERE TO STAY

As well as being the UK's largest organic vineyard, Oxney Estate near Rye also has three delightfully different and rustic accommodation offerings including Adjacent The Vineyard House, a Grade II-listed Jacobean farmhouse two cosy shepherd's huts made from oak weatherboarding and reclaimed corrugated iron.

DON'T MISS

Great British Wine Tours' Big Red Vineyard Tour (greatbritishwinetours.co.uk), a full-day, all-inclusive tour of two award-winning Sussex vineyards on a vintage double-decker London departs Brighton each Saturday between April and September.

ESSENTIALS

Visit between May and September for the best weather and the widest choice of vineyard tours. See sussexwineries.co.uk; oxneyestate.com

WAIPARA VALLEY, NEW ZEALAND

North Canterbury includes the sub-region of Waipara.

North Canterbury includes the sub-region of Waipara.Credit: Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism

THE LOWDOWN

Think New Zealand wine regions and places such as Central Otago, Marlborough, Hawke's Bay and North Canterbury roll off the pinot noir-tinged tongue. Well, maybe not North Canterbury, or at least not quite yet. Encompassing almost 200 kilometres of the South Island's eastern seaboard, North Canterbury includes the sub-region of Waipara. It's a convenient hour's drive from New Zealand's second biggest city, Christchurch, now near fully renewed from its catastrophic earthquake.

THE WINES

Hot summers and cool winters in Waipara - one of the driest places in New Zealand - allow for a long ripening period for its grapes, leading to what's described as silky pinot noir and citrusy chardonnay which flourish in the stony limestone terrain of the valley. The region also has a growing reputation for award-winning aromatics, namely rieslings and pinot gris.

WHERE TO STAY

Not only does the stylish Black Estate Wines offer its own bed and breakfast-style accommodation on the ground floor of its all-black Darth Vader-like cellar door building, it's also home to one of the Christchurch region's best restaurants not in Christchurch. Perched atop a hill, both the restaurant, where superb local truffles feature, and the accommodation overlook the biodynamic vineyard, valley and the Southern Alps. Panoramic views from the boutique Georges Road Wines pod across vineyards, hills and alps are also worthy of a toast. See blackestate.co.nz; georgesroadwines.co.nz/

DON'T MISS

A popular detour from the Waipara wineries, should you be able to drag yourself away from them, is the Ironridge Quarry Sculpture Park (raymondherber.com). The creation of Kiwi sculptor Raymond Herber, it's set around the spectacularly lofty limestone cliffs of a disused mine. You can picnic on the grass and among the artist's outdoor works with his workshop and studio located in the nearby main shed.

ESSENTIALS

The Waipara can be visited year around with winter providing the visual bonus of glimpses of the snow-capped Southern Alps. See christchurchnz.com; newzealand.com

TXAKOLI, SPAIN

Txakoli the region is best known for an acidic, lightly sparkling white wine.

Txakoli the region is best known for an acidic, lightly sparkling white wine.

THE LOWDOWN

Nowhere near as famous as neighbouring Rioja, this small region of Basque Spain offers gorgeous scenery with wineries clinging to rolling green hills and atop sea cliffs. There's also the chance to pair the local product with the spectacular gastronomy of the likes of San Sebastian and Bilbao. While its wines are not as great as its setting they are gradually improving.

THE WINES

Txakoli the region is best known for an acidic, lightly sparkling white wine that's also known as txakoli, typically produced around the coastal towns of Getaria and Hondarribia. Wine fans should, however, delve into the much rarer red txakoli, made using the indigenous Hondarribi Beltza grape, similar to cabernet franc.

WHERE TO STAY

There's not much on-winery accommodation in the Txakoli area, but Hotel Gametxo (hotelgametxo.com) comes close. It's a beautiful guesthouse set right across the road from a vineyard in the Bizkaia sub-region, near Bilbao.

DON'T MISS

There are few better ways to spend a day than to wake up in the Basque seaside town of Getaria, take a leisurely stroll up the hill to Akarregi Txiki winery (akarregitxiki.com) for a tasting with a view, and then wander back into town for a long lunch at Elkano (restauranteelkano.com), one of the world's greatest seafood restaurants.

ESSENTIALS

Txakoli is best to visit in the warmer, drier months, from April to September. See tourism.euskadi.eus

LAVAUX, SWITZERLAND

The Lavaux Vinorama in Rivaz is a good place to start.

The Lavaux Vinorama in Rivaz is a good place to start.Credit: Switzerland Tourism

THE LOWDOWN

The steep flank of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux runs for only 30 kilometres but provides some of the world's most spectacular and steepest vine terraces, from which views plunge to the lake and across to the meringue extravagance of the French and Swiss Alps. You can follow the hairpin Route des Vignerons by car (brown tourist signs), but even better are the well-marked walking and cycling paths (yellow signs). Cellar doors are small and informal and located in pretty villages.

THE WINES

The Swiss wisely drink most of their own wine production, which explains why you haven't heard much about Swiss wines. It's mostly chasselas (also called fendant) produced here, which has a fruity acidity that pairs well with cheese, but reds are represented by gamay and pinot noir.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Le Baron Tavernier (former home of notable 17th-century Swiss traveller and gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier) has you perched amid the panorama in Chexbres, a hillside-clinging wine village. A dip in the infinity pool feels like floating in heaven. The hotel has a spa and restaurant serving Italian-influenced local cuisine; perch fillet is a Lake Geneva classic.

DON'T MISS

The Lavaux Vinorama (lavaux-vinorama.ch) in Rivaz is a good introduction to the region's wines and runs tastings and a splendid film about the vineyards through the seasons.

ESSENTIALS

October often sees clear skies. Orange vine leaves are stunning against the blue lake and white Alps. See barontavernier.ch; lavaux-unesco.ch

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Vienna taverns are linked on the hop-on hop-off Heurigen Express.

Vienna taverns are linked on the hop-on hop-off Heurigen Express.Credit: Austrian National Tourist Office

THE LOWDOWN

Vines have been cultivated on Vienna's northeast outskirts for 900 years with its still-thriving, 180 wine taverns-strong culture having emerged in the 16th century. Its remaining vineyards are tiddly but stand out for being within the city's urban limits. Taverns are linked on the hop-on hop-off Heurigen Express (wien.info), providing a delightfully relaxed wine-sampling alternative to the usual uptight cellar doors; among the best are Buschenschank Stift St Peter, Mayer am Nussberg and Kierlinger.

THE WINES

It's mostly about crisp white wines such as chardonnay, riesling, weissburgunder (as pinot blanc is known here) and the classic slightly peppery and lemony Austrian varietal Gruner Veltliner. The wine most associated with Vienna is the resurgent Gemischter Satz, a blend produced from up to 20 different grape varieties planted and harvested together.

WHERE TO STAY

Suite Hotel Kahlenberg (kahlenberg.wien) is a modern glass building on a wooded hill, with guestroom terraces overlooking an undulation of vineyards, with Vienna behind. Staying centrally in the city, there's the boutique Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design (hotel-rathaus-wien.at) with a bar serving 360 Austrian wines.

DON'T MISS

The whole of Vienna is a trundle away by tram, so there's no end of things to do, but you mightn't want to budge from Mayer am Pfarrplatz (pfarrplatz.at), a wine tavern seemingly unchanged since Beethoven worked on his Ninth Symphony here in 1817.

ESSENTIALS

Spring and autumn are pleasant and less busy, if somewhat chillier. See wien.info

BEKAA VALLEY, LEBANON

Lebanon is actually one of the world's oldest wine-making regions.

Lebanon is actually one of the world's oldest wine-making regions.

THE LOWDOWN

Lebanon? They make wine in Lebanon? Yes, it's true. And in fact they've been doing so for almost 5000 years. This is one of the world's oldest wine-making regions, dating back to the days of the Phoenicians. The nation's modern wine industry began in the 1850s, and kicked off in earnest around the late 1990s, particularly in the Bekaa Valley, east of Beirut, near the ancient ruins of Baalbek.

THE WINES

Most of the drops produced in the Bekaa Valley reflect the French influence present in Lebanon between the two world wars: French varietals such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cinsault and grenache are perennially popular.

WHERE TO STAY

The Grand Kadri Hotel (grandkadrihotel.com) in the town of Zahle makes a perfect base for exploration, with several high-profile wineries very close by, including the iconic Chateau Ksara (chateauksara.com), open since 1857.

DON'T MISS

Tap into Lebanese winemaking history with a visit to Chateau Ksara (chateauksara.com) tours here include a wander through a two-kilometre network of Roman caves now used to store and age the company's high-end wines, as well as a guided tasting.

ESSENTIALS

Visit between April and October to enjoy the best of the weather and daylight hours. See visit-lebanon.org

PELOPONNESE, GREECE

The Peloponnese is known for its dramatic landscapes

The Peloponnese is known for its dramatic landscapes

THE LOWDOWN

If your experience of Greek wines starts and ends with the polarising retsina, we have news for you. Greece's boutique wineries are booming, with numbers more than doubling since 2008, and they are producing wines that don't just taste great but also offer great value. The Peloponnese peninsula is Greece's largest wine region, producing one-third of the country's wines.

THE WINES

The Peloponnese is known for its dramatic landscapes, ranging from snow-capped mountains and forested valleys to tranquil bays and beaches, and all those micro-climates allow winemakers to experiment with a range of wines. The focus is largely on local varietals, many of which are largely unknown outside Greece. Top picks include aromatic whites made from Moschofilero and full-bodied reds made from Agiorgitiko.

WHERE TO STAY

Surrounded by vineyards, olive and citrus groves, the beautifully-restored Byzantine mansion at the heart of Kinsterna Hotel (kinsternahotel.gr) near Monemvasia is an atmospheric option. Meals feature produce from the estate and are accompanied by wine from the hotel's own vineyards.

DON'T MISS

The wave-washed fortified town of Monemvasia – the oldest castle-town in Europe, connected to the mainland by a 200-metre long causeway – is one of the most popular attractions in the Peloponnese. It is also where the most famous wine of the Middle Ages, known in English as Malmsey, was produced. Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidis (monemvasiawinery.gr) has reinvented the wine – drop in to try it for yourself.

ESSENTIALS

Skip the busy summer season and visit in May, June or September instead. See visitgreece.gr

TARIJA, BOLIVIA

A wine tour will take you to some of the big names, such as Campos de Solana.

A wine tour will take you to some of the big names, such as Campos de Solana.Credit: Campos de Solana

THE LOWDOWN

You may have quaffed malbec from Argentina and cabernet sauvignon from Chile. Tannat from Bolivia? Not so much. Bolivia's wine industry is tiny, with only 3000 hectares under vine but its winemakers are increasingly winning global awards. Most of the wineries are found in Tarija in the south of the country.

THE WINES

No other country has built its wine industry on such high-altitude vineyards, most of which are between 1600 and 3000 metres above sea level. The high UV levels and cold nights create thick-skinned grapes that produce rounded, aromatic wines with the vertiginous terrain meaning all grapes are hand-harvested. Book a private wine tour which will take you to at least one of the big names, such as Aranjuez or Campos de Solana, as well as some smaller operations.

WHERE TO STAY

The hacienda-style Hotel Los Parrales (losparraleshotel.com), set amid expansive gardens, is Taraji's smartest accommodation.

DON'T MISS

Devour a superb steak at El Fogon de Gringo in Tarija. This is a simple set-up – all mains come with a buffet of rice, salad, pasta and potatoes – but the food is excellent, as is the wine, of course.

ESSENTIALS

With warm days and cool nights, the spring and summer months are the best time to visit.

FIVE LESSER-KNOWN AUSTRALIAN REGIONS

Southern Forests, WA

Tucked away amid the tall karri forests, the vineyards of the Southern Forests region, three hours south of Perth, produce cool-climate drops such as pinot noir and chardonnay. Base yourself in Manjimup or Pemberton to explore wineries such as Ampersand Estate, Hidden River Estate and Truffle Hill Wines, which is also known as Australia's largest producer of truffles. See southernforestswine.com

Shoalhaven, NSW

Look beyond the beach and you will discover the Shoalhaven has developed a burgeoning wine industry with the focus mainly on shiraz, chardonnay and the French hybrid chambourcin. Stretching between Nowra and Bega, top wineries to visit include Coolangatta Estate and Cupitt's Estate – and the area's acclaimed seafood is best washed down with a bottle of local sparkling. See shoalhavencoastwine.com.au

Granite Belt, Qld

This region in south-east Queensland, edging the NSW border, is unusual for its four distinct seasons, high-altitude frostiness and striking granite outcrops. The result is climate and terroir that suits cool-climate grapes such as shiraz and cabernet sauvignon but, for wine lovers looking for something different, there's the range of quirky varietals (barbera, colombard, durif, fiano, mourvedre). See southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au

Blue Mountains, NSW

Here's one for your next trivia night. The closest wine region to Sydney is the Hunter Valley, right? Wrong. It's actually the Blue Mountains. Good wines aren't the only reason to visit Dryridge Estate and the neighbouring Megalong Creek Estate; the stunning views across the surrounding sandstone escarpments are well worth the trip. See visitbluemountains.com.au

Kangaroo Island, SA

Blessed with a temperate climate and long ripening conditions, it is no surprise that Kangaroo Island's wines are beginning to attract attention. If you enjoy grenache, shiraz and cabernet, add The Islander Estate at Cygnet River, Bay of Shoals Wines near Kingscote and False Cape Wines on the Wilson River Flat to your itinerary. See kangarooislandwineries.com.au

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