It is no mystery that California and France feature the most famous vineyards worldwide. However, did you know lesser-known wine destinations are producing exceptional bottles for wine connoisseurs? In this guide, we are exploring those destinations.

1. AUSTRIA

Despite it being small, Austria features a beautiful wine region. The country specializes in producing dry and sweet white wines and has done so for thousands of years. Hit Wachau Valley to enjoy wine-tasting at vineyards in this beautiful region.

2. BRITAIN

Thanks to warmer summers, the English and Welsh wine industry can produce more due to an abundance of grape vineyard growth. This region is known for its English Sparkling, produced at a vineyard by French champagne producer Taittinger.

3. CROATIA

If you love sampling red wines, this is the place to go. Croatia’s most famous red wine features tribidrag, an indigenous wine grape. These wines also feature tongue-twisting names, including Pošip and Grk. One of the better-known Croatian grape varieties is plavac mali, which is similar in taste to zinfandel with an ancestral varietal connection. This versatile red is arguably best tasted on the island of Hvar.

4. GEORGIA

Many are not aware of Georgia’s rich wine-making history. The state is known for its signature creation, Saperavi, which is an inky-red and full-bodied wine. Some of the most popular bottles feature semi-sweet varieties

5. HUNGARY

While Hungary produces the world-class sweet wine romaji, lesser-known is a bold red known as Egri Bikavér or “Bull’s Blood, a blend of 3 or more grapes. The grapes are grown in a little-known wine region in Hungary called the “Valley of the Beautiful Women.” It’s an experience to sample this wine during the festive Bikavér Feast when paired with the region’s best cuisine.

6. LUXEMBOURG

If you love Rieslings, the beautiful Moselle Valley features several wineries producing these bottles. Visit the historic Wine Museum in Ihnen, which explores how to make Crémant, which uses traditional methods for making a style of sparkling wine.

7. ROMANIA

When mentioning Romania, wine might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, wine-makers are constantly making improvements to their creations. Known for being food-friendly, Cotnari and Feteasca Neagra top the list.

8. SLOVENIA

In the rolling hills, near the Italian border, is one of the world’s best-kept wine secrets. Goriška Brda is known for its experimentation with orange wines and its lively white wines made with local varieties of grapes like rebula, sivi pinot (pinot grigio), and friulano—and excellent savory full-bodied reds based on Bordeaux varieties like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc.

9. SPAIN

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, is one of the most visually exciting wine regions globally, and it produces outstanding wine. Vines are planted in the rich volcanic soil and protected by stone walls from the extreme local winds. Lanzarote primarily produces white wines based on the malvasia grape, creating a floral wine with plenty of stone fruit character. Lanzarote also created a juicy red made from the local grape listán negro.

10: SWITZERLAND

One of this area’s best-kept secrets is wine. Despite not being famous for wine-making, the country features more than 250 grape varieties that grow on more than 15,000 hectares.

There is something exceptional about visiting a winery or vineyard producing your favorite bottles. Take that a step further by hitting spots where you can try new varieties.