Consider Stocking Wines From These Lesser-Known Wine Producing Nations
When you think of wine-producing countries, France, Italy and Spain come to mind. The U.S. is up there, too, thanks to the growing number of wineries in the Napa Valley region. If you want to offer your customers something more unique, consider stocking wines from some lesser-known wine producing nations. You'll expose them to a whole new world of wines they've never tried before.
Romania
Even though most Canadians have never heard of Romanian wine before, this nation actually produces about 610,000 tons of the good stuff every year. The hot, dry summers make this nation ideal for vineyards, and its wine tradition can be traced back thousands of years. Romania offers a number of good red and white wines, but the reds from the Oltenia region in the southwest of the country are particularly divine.
Peru
Peru has a growing wine culture. Because of the tropical climate in this South American nation, the varieties of grapes grown here must be well adapted to heat and humidity. You'll see a lot of Grenache wines from Peru, along with Torrontés. Peru has also begun following Argentina's lead and producing plenty of deep, luxurious Malbecs.
Ukraine
Ukraine may be a small country, but it produces several wines that are regularly exported to North America. Wine grapes have been cultivated here since the 4th century B.C. Ukraine is known for its white and sparkling wines. Pinot Blanc and Riesling are prominent, as are sparkling wines made from these varieties. Sparkling wines from Ukraine are sometimes known as "Soviet Champagne."
Bulgaria
Bulgaria began exporting wine in the 1970s, and this move helped spur on the nation's then suffering economy. The most successful wine from Bulgaria has been their Cabernet Sauvignon, which is known for its black currant flavors, but Shiraz and Pinot Noir from this nation are often stellar, too. Many of the older wineries are being upgraded and refined to produce higher-quality wines that are fit for export. You can find many organically produced wines from Bulgaria.
Uruguay
Uruguay is a bit newer to the South American wine scene than Argentina and Peru, but the wines it exports have been well-received by critics. This nation is especially known for its red wines, which are produced from Tannat grapes. Other common wines from Uruguay include Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
If you're looking to add some variety to your wine selection, start importing wines from the countries above. Your buyers are sure to love the opportunity to expand their palates and enjoy vino from around the world. You should also consider checking out wine importers like the winery by Latitude Wine Imports.