Get Out of Your Comfort Zone: Your 2023 Wine New Years Resolutions!
It can be easy to get into a routine of drinking the same familiar wines, so I have a New Years Resolution for you to help you sip outside of your comfort zone: In 2023, I challenge you to try wines from as many new-to-you and unusual wine regions as you can! Read on for five delicious wines from unique regions near and far to get you started toward your goal. I promise that these wines will surprise you!
Traditional method sparkling from Armenia
Storica Wines' Keush Origin is the first sparkling wine crafted from indigenous Armenian grapes! The grapes come from volcanic soil in some of the highest elevation vineyards in Armenia (they also happen to be some of the highest elevation vineyards in the world that produce grapes for traditional method sparkling wine)! Kuesh Origins Brut Sparkling has fresh citrus and apple flavors with notes of toasted almond. Pair this wine with salty foods like nuts, cured meats, fried chicken, and hard or soft cheeses.
Cava-style sparkling from New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico's Vara Winery bridges the wine cultures of Spain, New Mexico, California, and beyond by blending grapes across borders. Vara's Cava-style wine, the American Silverhead Brut, is made from a blend of grapes imported from Spain and Washington State and is produced using the traditional method (for more about traditional method sparkling wine production, check out my blog post about all things champagne)! It's light bodied with bright minerality and refreshing acidity alongside almond, pear, apricot, and grapefruit flavors. Pair this one with Manchego cheese, grilled oysters, or sushi!
Amber wine from Georgia (the country!)
Fun fact: Georgia has long been recognized as the birthplace of wine - it's believed Georgians have been making wine for more than 8,000 years! Georgia is home to over 500 indigenous grapes, and the country's climate, mountains, and rivers provide great conditions for growing wine grapes. Georgia is most famous for amber wine (also known as orange wine!) made from white grapes that ferment in contact with their skins and stems in large clay amphorae buried underground. Try amber wine by Vazisubani Estate - it's savory with bold guava, strawberry, and watermelon flavors, and pairs well with bold flavored foods like nuts, eggplant, rich cheeses, and gumbo!
Vin Gris (gray wine) from Morocco
Despite its name, gray wine is actually a very light style of rosé modeled after the wines of Provence! After the juice of red grapes is pressed, it's briefly put into contact with its grape skins which adds a faint pink hue to the wine. Morocco's northern regions of Fes, Meknes, and Berkane are sheltered by the Atlas Mountains and get cooling influence from the Atlantic, making the areas great for Rhône varieties like Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Try Perle Grise de Mogador, a blend of Muscat Blanc and Syrah, paired with oysters, bean soup, or goat cheese!
Savory Reds from Kosovo
The Rahovec Valley, Kosovo's premiere wine growing region, has a Mediterranean climate similar to southern France and Italy, and the region is at high elevation, making it a great area to grow wine grapes! Try Stone Castle Winery's Reserve Cabernet - it's full of red fruit flavors with forest and earthy notes, and pairs nicely with braised short rib, flank steak, smokey cheddar, aged gouda, and butternut squash. Have an eye out for Stone Castle's wines made from Kosovo's indigenous grapes, they're savory, bold, and totally unique!
To bring my wine recommendations to life, join my Wine Club! You'll get three bottles of wine from a single boutique producer each month (or quarter!), and the chance to connect with an incredible wine-loving community while learning the stories behind the bottles directly from the producers at our monthly live virtual tastings. And because wine is meant to be shared with friends, you can gift a membership to the Club as well. Learn more about the Wine Club here!
Cheers!