Lesser-Known Regions and Countries

Morocco--red

An ancient wine country, dating back to 800BCE, Morocco became a wine powerhouse in the 1940s and 1950s when French colonists introduced superior techniques and new varieties.

As a result, a lot of the wineries have French names - Chateau Roslane, Val d'Argan etc. The main regions surround the cities of Casablanca and Fez, making it a stunning tourist visit!

Grapes - Carignan, Cinsault, Muscat

Turkey--aromatic

One of the world's oldest countries for wine production, and still to this day a huge producer of grapes.

There are more native grapes in Turkey apart from any other country except for Italy, and these continue to be the focus for most producers.

Grapes - Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Merlot, but also Kabarcik (white) & Öküzgözü (red)

Israel--racy

Another country with a history of winemaking that dates back millennia, Israel's modern wine industry only really began in the late 1800s when Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, owner of the Bordeaux estate Château Lafite-Rothschild, founded Carmel Winery, still the countries largest.

A warm climate moderated by the Mediterranean produces rich, powerful wines.

Grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Argaman (red) and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling

About the Author

Alex Tanner is a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds her WSET 3 with distinction. Her experience in the wine industry stretches from working as a sommelier in award-winning restaurants in British Columbia, judging national wine competitions, and utilising her background in design and communication toward commissioned art, writing, and branding for wineries and wine bars and columns across the globe.