Underrated Wine Regions, Tasted Through
Oenophiles will never run out essays and tributes, generously edifying the brilliance of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany and Rioja even as the vinous world shimmers with unsung regional gems that deserve due praise. And while the glowing reviews are harder to find for these regions, tasting through their finest wines is the perhaps the best way to recognize and appreciate the world’s most underrated wine regions. Cheers!
Ventoux
Pesquie Edition 1912M White 2024
Ventoux is a region shadowed by the likes of Northern Rhone and Provence but it doesn’t take away from this underrated southern Rhone region’s capacity for pleasingly fruity and floral wines. Bordering Provence, Ventoux is best known for the towering Mont Ventoux which apart from its stunning presence blesses with vineyards below with perpetual breeze, especially at night to compliment sunned up days. The cooling influence coupled with ancient limestone and clay soils, craft fruit of generous flavours. The name ‘Édition 1912M’ is a tribute to Mont Ventoux which stands at an altitude of 1912 meters. This delightful blend four indigenous grapes, gush with citrus, white flowers and refreshing acidity, drawn from the limestone soils and nurture of low night temperatures.
Molise
Di Majo Norante, Moli Bianco 2024
A classic maritime white wine from a Southern Italian region you’ve probably never heard of, is a fine invitation to a flavour adventure and this wine delivers above and beyond. The tiny seaside region of Molise puts the Falanghina grape in the brightest of lights with an expressive natural palate. Molise is gifted with a continental climate and cool maritime weather on the coastal east, banked by the Adriatic sea. The resulting wine expresses floral, mineralesque and fruit forward character and the refreshing soul of Molise itself.
Dao
Quinta Di Cabriz, Selecionada Dao 2023
A hedonistic red wine blend that isn’t Port, proves Portugal’s potential for making modern still red wines of high quality. Quinta di Cabriz sets the high watermark in the region of Dao, a relatively small region with precious little vineyard acreage. Dao’s mild climate and mountainous defence against harsh weather and hardy, granite soils make the fruit work and suffer Quinta di Cabriz has turned this promising raw material into an opulent blend of the country’s top indigenous grapes, shining with red fruit, spicy touches and velvety tannins.
Boutenac
Famille Fabre, L’Instant Rouge 2024
Famille Fabre is a sublime credit not simply for its superb organic wines but for its invaluable role in putting Boutenac, a sub-region of Languedoc-Roussillon on the world map. The vast liberal southern French region basks under a sun set in Mediterranean mood but its lesser known region of Boutenac deserves more recognition for its micro climate helped by the Atlantic winds that blow down the Aude Valley and limestone rich soils that yield fruit of rare promise. This elegant Syrah led blend is a prime example of the region’s capacity to create an approachable wine with unique character, brimming with Mediterranean charm.
