Now that more countries are opening to travellers, it’s time to plan your next getaway. If you’re itching to travel—and also a wine lover—then we highly suggest taking a wine vacation.
After all, who wouldn’t want to spend a vacation surrounded by beauty and wine?
Interested? Follow along with our brief guide to the most underrated European wine destinations to visit. You won’t regret booking a trip to any of these vineyards.
Austria
The hills are alive with—vines? That’s what you can expect when you take a wine trip to Austria. Though the country is small, it more than makes up for its size with its robust wine regions.
Make sure to explore Niederösterreich, which has eight subregions that each offer its own atmosphere, wine styles, and history. The wine here is exquisite – don’t miss it.
Croatia
If you’re a lover of red wine—or, more specifically, a lover of full-bodied wines—then Croatia is the place for you. Boasting beautiful red wines that are complex and well-rounded, it’s the perfect place to visit for stunning sea views and tasteful sips.
In fact, the country has over 130 indigenous grape varieties, so you’ll get something unique and delicious when you come to visit. Come for the Zinfandel and stay for the sight-seaing!
Georgia
Located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia is a long-time wine producer, Georgia. The country has produced wine since around 6000 BCE. And they did things a little differently back then.
Russian winters are brutal, but vintners figured out a way to make them work in their favour. A winemaking process still used today is burying clay vessels of grape juice in a shallow pit of mineral-rich soil through the winter.
Stay in Tbilisi and explore the rich history and historical wine.
Slovakia
You probably haven’t seen Slovakian wine in many stores near you. Don’t fret—this wine has an excellent reputation within the country and surrounding countries.
So when you visit, you’ll get both the delicious wine and the serenity of exploring the unexplored. Stay in the capital, Bratislava, and spend your days wandering family-owned wine cellars.
Trust in this—it’s undeniably calming to sit at a table and sip on wine made in the picturesque vineyards right in front of you. Don’t miss it.
Switzerland
The last underrated European wine country to visit we’ll touch on is Switzerland. Most folks don’t think of the Swiss for their wines. But maybe we should! With the country’s 15,000 hectares of vineyards, it’s not like wine isn’t important to the Swiss.
In actuality, it’s so important to them that they don’t really export their wine. Each wine region has its own distinct, delicious characteristics, so make sure to leave plenty of time to explore.
Hopefully, this brief guide to underrated wine countries will give you the start you need to plan your vacation. Sip and enjoy…
MORE OF THIS
Get the best stories from our magazine every month, plus an advanced copy of the next issue. Subscribe now.
