I am constantly on the look out for wines from countries I have never had wine from before.   Unfortunately, I still cannot get Azorean wines at my local wine store, but there are some off-beat bottles I can.  Here are a few interesting reds to brighten your winter.

Back in 2012, I poured a wine at the Bar Foundation’s Wine and Beer Tasting from Macedonia, the 2010 “Tikves Vranic Special Selection.”  This wine, made from 100% Vranec (a grape indigenous to Macedonia), reminds me of a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.  The flavors are dark red fruits with pepper, with some green notes and garrigue.  The wine is medium to full bodied and intensely dark in color.  While Macedonia has been making wine since the Romans, Tikves is currently the oldest existing winery in Macedonia, established in 1885, and the largest winery in southeastern Europe.  The current vintage of this wine still delivers a lot of value for only $9 a bottle at Wineworks.

Earlier this year, I noticed a wine from the Canary Islands on the shelves:  “7 Fuentes,” produced by Suertes del Marques, a winery located in the Valle de la Orotava on the northern, mountainous side of the volcanic island of Tenerife.  I brought it to my birthday dinner at A Mano in June, where my friends asked me to pick up a bottle for them the next time I was in the store.  I did, and I’ve continued buying it and making lots of people try it.  For those who like pepper and spice in your red wine, this is for you.  This wine is made from Listan Negro and Tintilia grapes (from 100 year old vines – phylloxera never made it to the Canary Island) and with as little wine-maker intervention as possible (fermented in cement vats with native yeasts, no fining or filtration).  The resulting medium-bodied, perfumed, electric/mineral vibrancy and spice makes this red wine a delight.  $19 a bottle at Wineworks.

In December, I finally opened bottle of Georgian wine (the country, not the state) I had been hoarding.  The label, written in Georgian script, caught my eye.  The 2016 “Dogi – Saperavi Qvevri Kokleli” is 100% Saperavi grapes, a varietal indigenous to Georgia. The wine has bright acidity, with flavors of plum, dark berries, flint, black tea, wet concrete and green notes.  I found it in Rhode Island, and also locally at Wineworks for $20 a bottle (although I may have just bought the last bottle).  If that is the case, keep an eye out for the next vintage release.

This year, my resolution is to find a bottle of wine from China, India, or Mexico.  If you have any tips, let me know! Cheers!