It can be hard to keep up with wine’s ever-changing world. There are many grape varieties, producers and regions to explore. New wine is released when you think that you have mastered your favorite bottles.
You don’t have to give up your favorite time-honored drinks. It can be fun and rewarding for curious drinkers to learn about the latest trends. You might have already taken the Beaujolais train, fallen into the natural wines rabbit hole, or even discovered the delicious pleasures of orange juice and other Eastern European specialty drinks. Perhaps you are just starting to explore other wine options. These half-dozen wine varieties that wine experts love might be the perfect introduction to your new wine obsession.
Alpine
The hottest wines are those from mountainous regions in Europe like France’s Jura, Savoie, Germany, Austria, northern Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland. These regions tend to produce rich-textured whites and light-bodied reds, both earthy-spicy and high in acid. These appealing qualities are due to long days of sunshine, which allows grapes to develop optimal flavors in conjunction with high-elevation vineyards where cool temperatures preserve the wines.
Despite their similar names, Jura’s signature variety, the Savagnin, is not related to sauvignon blanc. These savory, heavy wines have a greater resemblance to chardonnay, a common blending partner for the grape. Tissot’s complex, powerful bottling is worth the investment. Intentional oxidation lends an appealing nutty character, enhancing the wine’s rich yellow apples, stone fruits, and honey notes.
Basque Cider
While not a wine, Basque cider is what wine lovers turn to when they need a break from the grapes. These Spanish specialty ciders are not like the semisweet hard ciders you can find on supermarket shelves. They are tart and earthy and have funky flavors that will appeal to those who love sour beers and people who enjoy fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha. To get maximum foam, you can serve these ciders as they are in the Basque region.
Isastegi Basque cider is a classic. It’s wild and tangy and tastes like fresh apples and cider vinegar. This refreshing beverage is perfect for hot days and has intriguing notes of yeast, green olive brine, and wet-stone minerals.
Chillable Reds
Many lights and vibrant reds are available that can be chilled for those who love Beaujolais. This trend is particularly popular in California and Oregon, where grapes like pinot noir, cabernet franc, Gamay, and cabernet franc are high in acidity but low in alcohol. Whole berries can be fermented to create a juicy and chuggable flavor, which wine industry insiders call glou glou, French for “glug-glug”.
The subtle additions of violets and spice give a punch bowl of fruit flavors, including boysenberry, cherry, and boysenberry. This simple, fresh red is lighter and more flavorful than any syrah. A better picnic wine is hard to imagine.
Fruit-Grape Blends
This new category is one of the most interesting in wine. All over the world, winemakers are trying to combine grapes with other fruits, such as apples, pears, and plums. This creates a kind of mashup between wine, cider, and wine. These dry, thirst-quenching blends can be made by fermenting the fruits together or later mixing them. However, they all share one thing: They taste like a grown-up juice box.
This barrel-aged apple cider is made from the skins of the mondeuse grapes. They are a spicy, berry-scented, red variety that hails from France’s Jura region. The bright blackberry and plum fruits are enriched with juniper, black pepper, and apple blossom notes.
Pet-Nat
Pet-nat is the ultimate party drink, and it’s everywhere lately. Pet nats aren’t new. They have existed since the birth of Champagne. Pet-nat, unlike Champagne, finishes fermentation in the bottle and does not require a second round. This leaves a little bit of sugar behind. Pet-nat is a lively, crisp, and bubbly wine. Its cloudy appearance, crown-cap seal, and liveliness can be identified. It is typically lower in alcohol than sparkling wines and has finer bubbles and a delightful freshness.
This bright, juicy pet-nat from the Loire Valley is made of 100% Gamay. You may know it as the grape Beaujolais. This pretty, pink crowd-pleaser is a delicious combination of tart red cherry and strawberry fruit.