Enter the World of Lesser Known Wines
Ever since Vero was founded, we knew we were up for a challenge. We forage for wines and olive oils that no one knows about and we import them into the US, mostly for the first time. Not only are they from small farmer-artisans, tucked away in the hidden corners of the earth, but they are also wines steeped in tradition, including many grape varieties that most people don’t know about. Like some which were just recently discovered, like Famoso, and others that are super rare, like Boschera, for which we were the first ones even to import the grape into the US!
Naturally, wine drinkers tend to have their favorite wines identified by grape, like chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and malbec, just to name a few. This makes sense, since, as we discussed in a recent article, we all have different wine tasting palates, hence we tend to like different wines from one another. Every so often you find someone with the same winetasting preferences.
Yet, less well known wines are gaining traction in the US, like VeroVino wines which focus on off-the-beaten-path grapes beyond the most widely sold wine varietals in the US. With this trend, it can be difficult for our customers to select wines made from grapes they never had. So, here’s our shot at explaining what does wine taste like by drawing parallels between some unknown grapes to known dry wines. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list, nor a wine bible so to speak as it is a subjective opinion how grapes express themselves in certain wines. It is meant to point you in the right direction, so you don’t feel at lost amongst a sea of unknown wines. Our approach to discovery is actually pretty risk-averse. We aren't asking you to guess; rather, we’re matching these rare finds to a palate profile you already know you enjoy. Think of it like fraternal twins: you can see the similarities in body, acidity, and flavor, but they remain beautifully distinct wines, great for exploring and branching out to something new, but with a familiar foundation.
Let’s journey to discover unknown fruit… because if you like those famous grapes… you are going to love these unknown ones!
Some New White Wines to Discover
Wines Similar to Chardonnay -> Turbiana Grape (Lugana Wines)
Let’s start with the ubiquitous go-to, chardonnay. Once Vero Founder, Sheila Donohue, discovered Lugana white wines, made from the Turbiana grape, being a chardonnay lover herself, she was drawn to this appellation and to discover the area, which we went to visit for the first time in 2010. Then, once she tasted Zamichele’s Lugana wines, she just had to import them in. She knew that chardonnay lovers would enjoy Lugana wines as an alternative to Chardonnay. In fact, wine educator Mary Beth Vierra, who wrote about Lugana wines, calls Turbiana a noble grape, putting it in the same category as noteworthy French Chardonnays. For those of you that prefer unoaked chardonnays, we recommend Zamichele’s Lugana and for those of you that prefer oaked chardonnays try Zamichele’s Lugana Gardè.
Scene from when Vero founder, Sheila Donohue, was discovering new wine grapes in Italy.
Wines Similar to Pinot Grigio -> Maceratino (Ribona) & Müller Thurgau
For the Pinot Grigio lovers seeking something light-bodied, clean, and vibrant, look to the Marche region for maceratino (also known as ribona). It is incredibly crisp but adds a layer of white peach and distinct minerality that sets it apart, epsecially when used in a blend (like with the Incrocio Bruni we will talk about in a minute) like in the wine Marchese Japo. If you want something even more fresh, try a cool-climate Müller Thurgau. It stays lean and bright, making it the ultimate easy-drinking alternative for your next patio glass instead of Pinot Grigio.
Wines Similar to Sauvignon Blanc -> Famoso & Incrocio Bruni 54
If you crave that punchy citrus and green herbal zing that defines a Sauvignon Blanc wine, we have two incredible alternatives for you to explore. First is Famoso, a rediscovered treasure from Romagna with a chalky acidity that reminds us of the best French whites. Then there is the other half of the aforementioned Marchese Japo, Incrocio Bruni 54. A rare, modern crossing of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdicchio, it gets its name as it was the 54th attempt at the crossing (or incrocio in Italian). When blended with maceratino, it gives you that familiar "pop" you love but with an elegant, floral finish that feels like a discovery in every sip.
Wines Similar to Moscato -> Moravian Muscat & Brachetto
Moscato (muscat in french and english) is a family of grapes of which there are over 200 types, like white muscat (moscato bianco in Italian), yellow muscat (moscato giallo in Italian), muscat of Alessandria and this list goes on. About 40 years ago, the Czechs were seeking a way to better grow muscat in their region, which, especially before climate change impacts, has been not so easy to make balanced and aromatic wines, as we discussed with Thaya’s winemaker recently. So, they went out and created a cross between a German muscat grape, muscat ottonel, and a rare Czech grape, prachttraube, to create the moravian muscat grape. One of the wines that we import from the Czech estate, Thaya, is indeed their Moravian Muscat wine. This wine is intriguing as it is semi-aromatic with accentuated floral aromas likened to a moscato, but then its taste is citrusy, reminding you of a sauvignon blanc. They say the best Moravian Muscat wines are those that have a good amount of acidity as well as fruitiness to create a balanced wine, and Thaya’s Moravian Muscat fits this bill. It is not only a good choice for those who love muscat and sauvignon blanc, but also those who think they don’t like wine - try this and you’ll be surprised!
If rather what you love of Moscato d’Asti is the aromatic, floral, perfumed, frizzy sweetness, you have to try its "Red" neighbor: Brachetto d’Acqui. Coming from the same Monferrato hills in Piedmont, Brachetto is sweet, sparkling, and bursting with aromas of fresh strawberries and hibiscus. It is a fantastic way to enjoy a red wine while staying right in your sweet and aromatic comfort zone. As a side note, it also makes a great base for wine cocktails and spritzs!
Wines Similar to Gewürztraminer -> Minutolo & "Red Tramin"
Gewürztraminer is famous for being aromatic and exotic, but if you want those notes in a version that is a bit more mellowed down and dry, try minutolo (like in the Southern Italian wine Ti Esti). It keeps the floral soul of the grape but finishes with a distinct, spicy white pepper note. For a true hidden gem, look for Red Tramin. While it is essentially a member of the Traminer family, most people don't realize this rare name exists (in fact in the Czech Republic Red Tramin and Gewürztraminer are used as synonyms!). Red tramin is a great and complex discovery for fans of aromatic and cool climate white wines.
A Saint Laurent from the Czech Republic.
Some Red Wines to Discover
Wines Similar to Pinot Noir -> Saint Laurent & Susumaniello
The saint laurent grape is actually a descendant of pinot noir. It is aromatic, with distinctive violet aromas, and is deep colored, distinguishing itself from the transparent colored pinot noir, along with chaulky tannins. Wine folly calls saint laurent a “beefier version of pinot noir.” Saint laurent is actually the most planted red grape in the Czech Republic, so when we imported Thaya’s wines from the Czech Republic, we brought in two: an oaked Saint Laurent and an unoaked Saint Laurent. Both are interesting alternatives for Pinot Noir lovers. Try the grape both in the more aged, oaked version for that “beefier Pinot” style, or in an unoaked version for a lighter, fruit driven style!
For an Italian swap, especially for Pinot Noir fans that prioritize elegance and fruit over heavy tannins, go for susumaniello! A juicy, vibrant alternative from the south of Italy, try Mentore, a version of the Pugliese grape that is incredibly approachable and shares that same silky, fruit-forward texture that makes Pinot Noir so beloved, but with a unique Mediterranean personality.
Wines Similar to Malbec -> Ciliegiolo
Ciliegiolo gets its name from the Italian word for cherry, ciliegia. And it has noteworthy tannins. So you could consider it reminiscent of a Malbec with cherry notes and taste. Certainly, it’s worth to try it if you are a lover of Malbec wine. The Ciliegiolo wine we carry is an extra special one. It is from Tuscany, known for bigger, more structured style Ciliegiolo, from Maremma to be specific, where the grape thrives in the hot climate. Ours is from woman-owned farm, La Maliosa, and is 100% natural, with nothing added, not even sulfites. When we tasted it with La Maliosa’s owner, Antonella Manuli, we were impressed by the herbal characteristics of this natural wine which according to Antonella is found in all of her vegan wine. In fact, if you go to visit La Maliosa, who is organic, biodynamic and practices regenerative agriculture, and you walk amongst the vineyards and then taste their wines, you will notice that the glass in front of you has herbal aromas seemlingly infused from the vineyard… fascinating!
Wines Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon -> Nero di Troia, Montepulciano, & Nizza Barbera DOCG
If you love cabernet sauvignon, you probably are looking for power and structure. For those who prefer a cool climate or more of a Bordeaux style cabernt (high tannins and super dark fruit), great options are the Italian grapes Nero di Troia and Montepulciano. However, for a wine that echoes a Napa Cab style, try a Nizza Barbera DOCG. This top-tier barbera wine is aged in Slavonian oak, giving it much more tannin and structure than a typical barbera, along with a massive core of dark fruit, a great alternative to a Napa Cab!
If you are a fan of cabernet sauvignon, you are likely looking for power and structure. However, there is a big difference between a cool-climate, Bordeaux-style Cabernet and a rich, new world "Napa Cab" style. For the cool climate fan, if you love the high tannins and super dark fruit, look toward Nero di Troia, Sangiovese, or Montepulciano. Sangiovese, in particular, offers that incredible structural spine and savory complexity that cabernet lovers appreciate, but with its own distinct Italian soul, whether in one of its multiple versions, from the all natural Tarconte, to the classic Rosso di Toscana, Rosso di Montalcino, and Brunello di Montalcino. For a Napa Cab fan that looks for the richness of an oak-aged cabernet, try a Nizza Barbera DOCG. This is a top-tier barbera aged in Slavonian oak. The wood aging gives it more tannins than a typical barbera, resulting in an "Old World" version of a Napa Cab, structured, full of dark fruit, and incredibly powerful.
Wines Similar to Merlot -> Dolcetto & Barbera d'Asti
For fans of merlot’s soft, velvety plumpness, dolcetto, like a Dogliani is a must-try. It has a soft, dark fruit and remains very approachable. We also recommend exploring Barbera d'Asti or a Piemonte Barbera. Often called the "ultimate food wine" due to its wonderful acidity, a barbera is incredibly approachable right now, offering a lush, fruit-forward experience that Merlot drinkers will recognize immediately.
Wines Similar to Syrah -> Schioppettino, Blaufränkisch, & Zweigelt
Schioppettino is a red grape most people don’t know about because it was illegal to cultivate in back in the 70s. Fortunately, thanks in part to the passion and commitment of Hilde Petrussa, vigneron and owner of Vigna Petrussa, as we covered in a previous article, Schioppettino is back on the Italian wine map and making inroads in the USA. It has higher acidity, lower tannins and a dark fruit taste, but the one thing that distinguishes it from other varieties is the aroma and taste of green peppercorns. In fact, this is where it parallels with syrah: the molecule, rotundone, that is found in green (and black) peppercorn, has the highest concentration, of all grapes, in schioppettino and syrah. Like Syrah, Schioppettino has a distinctive darker fruit taste. For great Schioppetino wines, try Vigna Petrussa for stand out wines. In fact, they were cited in a recent article by the wine critic Ian D’Agata as being the top two wineries in the world that make the best Schioppettino wines! Try the full range of Schioppettinos: the unoaked version, a classic oaked version, and a Riserva produced only in the best years (a great red wine alternative not only for Syrah-lovers, but also for those that enjoy full bodied California Pinot Noirs and Cabs).
If you enjoy the savory, peppery edge of Syrah, you should look toward the more earthy versions found in Central Europe. Blaufränkisch offers a deep, dark fruit profile and can even develop those meaty characteristics found in aged Rhône Syrahs. You might also try Zweigelt, a fascinating cross between Blaufränkisch and Saint Laurent. Whether a Zweigelt from Austria or a Zweigelt from the Czech Republic, it can provide a spicy, complex finish that any Syrah lover will appreciate.
Start Your Exploration to Discover Good Bottles of Wine
You may have observed that we excluded certain better known varieties which we assume that you are already familiar with like riesling, barbera, nebbiolo, sangiovese, montepulciano and tempranillo. If you’d like we can cover them in a future article with tips like how to find wines similar to Chianti?… look for a red wine made with the sangiovese grape. Let us know! And don’t forget, that there are a lot of similarities between extra virgin olive oil and wine, so for you foodie’s out there, we can help you choose one-of-a-kind EVOOs and hazelnut products as well as gifts for people that appreciate unique, gourmet foods.
We hope this list, which is really just a start, will help you choose wines from the growing portfolio we have of different and interesting grape varieties. For those of you that know our curation style, you know that we love to support small producers and bring you unique fun wines. And you can enjoy these curations by trying a selection of different wines and different winegrowers from our portfolio. We sell to both businesses and consumers across the US:
We are enlarging our network of distributors around the country. Reach out to us if you are interested in distributing our wines.
We sell to wine stores and restaurants in certain states - contact us if you would like more info.
We do corporate gifts and sommelier guided wine tastings. Email us and we’ll tailor unique and sustainable corporate gift ideas.
If our farm crafted wines, specialty foods, and olive oils are not in your local shop or restaurant buy wine online here and we’ll ship it to you, and we ship to most states.
We also have an award winning wine club for true wine explorers seeking to continually discover unique, sustainable and authentic small production wines they never had.
