What specific wines from non traditional regions are most on your radar right now - AND - where are you buying them?
Someone has to do it: please define non-traditional?
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Something that’s not “Classic” (I.e. Sangiovese from Tuscany, Cabernet from Napa, Riesling from Mosel, Pinot from Burgundy) etc. To be super specific I’d say maybe something that would not qualify as testable on a Somm blind tasting exam.
It’s my resolution to spend less on wine this year, so give me all your Tasmanian and Georgian favorites!
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If Loire reds count as “non-traditional” then that’s my answer…with bottles purchased primarily from online retailers on the coasts and via auction.
But I think you’re probably looking for something further afield, In that case, the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada is interesting to me. I have family in Vancouver, BC and have visited a few tasting rooms in that area over the last few years. Definitely a mixed bag on my last visit, but had a couple of nice wines and it seems like there’s potential there. I haven’t purchased much - just a bottle or two at the tasting rooms.
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Beat me to it with Okanagan Valley. So I have to go with English Sparkling wine. They’re not going to beat a great French Champagne but some of them ain’t bad at all.
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Terret Gris from the Roussillon.
Bought through Chambers Street Wines, NYC.
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Dry Furmint from Hungary
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Northern Michigan has potential, but at least a few years ago there weren’t really any places trying to make old world style wines outside of this one guy Nathaniel Rose. I haven’t been there since 2018 so the hope is that maybe there are more now?
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Hmmm. This could be interpreted in many ways. Not sure precisely what “not testable …” means.
The thread is non-traditional regions . So it’s implied the wines may thus have traditional style
Literally, it would mean new regions. But what about revived regions? Many Spanish regions have a new lease of life.
So, For example, Does SA Chenin, which would be one of my nominations, qualify?
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Franciacorta (traditional method sparkler) from Lombardy/northern Italy.
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There are a lot of people in MI making really good wine. Best Blaufrankisch I had outside of Hungary was from Michigan, but the winery is no longer around.
Bill - Furmint from Hungary is not really “non-traditional” since they’ve been making it there for many centuries, and were writing about it several centuries before Cabernet Sauvignon appeared in Bordeaux. Dry Furmint from Tokaj is relatively new, since they didn’t want to waste their sweet wine and only started making dry whites in any quantity in the late 1900s, but it was made elsewhere in the country.
Missouri is the oldest wine-making region in the US AFAIK, but they’ve only recently improved their wines to the point that some of their grapes are worth looking at. Dry Vignole for example, is worth looking into.
Mexican Nebbiolo is another interesting development.
Probably. I mostly meant traditional French style red wines - Pinot, Syrah, Bordeaux blends, etc. Most of the reds up there were overripe, over-extracted, over-oaked messes.
Without a doubt it is Pinot Noir from the Mosel!
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Grk
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No-one mentioned Musar yet? Well, Chateau Musar.
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Savoie Mondeuse
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John, any favorites? I liked Gusbourne initially but some of their wines have a bit too much dosage for my liking. I’ve liked everything I’ve had from Bolney, and I vaguely remember liking Oxney, but I’m drawing a blank after that. NYE timber is fine, I guess. Happy for some recommendations!
I like the carignan/riesling blend and the sparkling freisa
Lacrima di Morro d’Alba from the Marche can really interesting.
Aglianico from Taurasi wouldn’t be non-traditional for most WBers I guess but for the non-geek wine fans somewhat unusual.
If I am understanding the question correctly I would say “Italian varietals” grown in California. Dolcetto, Barbera, Cortese, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo etc etc grown in Sonoma, Mendocino, Sierra Foothills etc.
Some excellent wines being made by several producers. Not Italy and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Tom
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