Emerging Wine Regions and Trending Grape Varieties

I talk about management and leadership, but I rarely talk about one of my greatest passions; wine.

The world of wine is evolving as new regions gain prominence and unconventional grape varieties capture consumer interest. Climate change, investment, and shifting tastes are redrawing the wine map and portfolio. Below, we explore rapidly growing wine-producing areas and trending grapes that are likely to shape the industry’s future, along with the factors driving their rise.

New and Lesser-Known Wine Regions on the Rise

Emerging wine regions often benefit from changing climate conditions, heavy investment, and innovative winemaking techniques. These up-and-coming areas, once considered too marginal for viticulture, are now producing notable wines:

China (Ningxia and Beyond)

Chinese Wine

China has rapidly become the world’s 7th-largest wine producer, boosted by warmer regional climates and major technology and investment leaps. Once focused on coastal areas, Chinese wine production shifted inland (e.g. Ningxia’s Helan Mountains) where drier conditions and cool nights yield quality grapes. Ambitious government-backed projects and international awards have put Ningxia on the fine wine map, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon blends. Today, Chinese wines from Ningxia and Shandong are appearing on top restaurant lists worldwide, signaling China’s emergence as a fine wine frontier.

England (United Kingdom)

A warming climate has transformed southern England into prime wine country. Dozens of new vineyards have popped up in regions like Sussex and Kent, where rising temperatures and chalky soils now mirror the Champagne terroir. England is booming in sparkling wine production, with brands like Nyetimber and Chapel Down winning international acclaim. As conditions continue to warm (projected +2°C), experts even envision grapes like Tempranillo taking root in England’s future. Investment incentives and the allure of English sparkling wine have drawn investors, making the UK one of the world’s fastest-growing wine areas.

Scandinavia & Northern Europe

Once far too cold for viticulture, parts of Northern Europe are now planting vines. Warming winters and longer summers in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have enabled experimental vineyards to thrive. Growers here often use new hybrid grapes like Solaris and Rondo that withstand cold and resist disease, and even classic varieties like Riesling are being attempted in Norway’s mildest zones . Southern Sweden’s Skåne region has become a mini wine hot-spot, and even Belgium’s tiny wine sector has expanded five-fold in area over a decade. Though volumes remain small, Belgium’s production quadrupled recently thanks to hotter summers, with Flemish sparkling wines (Crémant de Wallonie, etc.) now on the market. These northern pioneers show how higher latitude regions are turning into the new wine frontier.

Cool-Climate Frontiers (Americas & Oceania)

In the Americas and Oceania, winemakers are venturing into cooler or previously untapped terrains. In the United States, increasingly hot summers have prompted looking north and to higher elevations – Michigan is a standout example where the number of wineries exploded from just 16 to 130 in the past decade as the climate warms. Vineyards are also appearing in unexpected states like Wyoming and Montana for their cooler conditions. On the Pacific coast, cooler parts of Washington State and Oregon continue to grow in reputation as climate havens for quality wine. South of the equator, producers are moving to cooler extremes: Tasmania (off Australia) now challenges traditional Aussie regions as its mild climate yields high-quality Riesling, Chardonnay and sparkling wines. In South America, winemakers are exploring Patagonia (southern Chile and Argentina) and even high-altitude sites in the Ecuadorian and Colombian Andes, where cooler temperatures at elevation make viticulture possible near the equator. These regions, once considered marginal, are poised to supply the fresh, vibrant styles that a warming world craves.

Eastern Europe and Revival of Old Terroirs

Several Eastern European countries are experiencing a renaissance in wine. Romania, for example, has long been a major producer (5th-largest in Europe) but only recently gained a quality reputation – its rugged terroir and improved winemaking have landed Romanian wines on top restaurant lists. Large wineries like Cramele Recaș now win international awards and export both international varietals (e.g. Pinot Grigio) and indigenous grapes (like Fetească Neagră) to Western markets. In the Caucasus, Georgia – often cited as the cradle of wine – has seen exports soar (shipments to the UK jumped ~60% in one year) as wine aficionados embrace its qvevri-fermented natural wines and native grapes. Georgian producers and agencies are heavily marketing abroad, betting on the appeal of ancient wine culture and unique varieties. This broader opening of Eastern Europe is filling gaps left by Western Europe’s smaller harvests and satisfying consumers eager for new experiences. Even beyond Europe, new horizons are emerging – for instance, entrepreneurs are planting vineyards in the Kenyan and Ethiopian highlands, eyeing these high-altitude tropical locations as future wine producers as global conditions change.

Grape Varieties Gaining Traction

Just as new regions are rising, so too are unconventional grape varieties finding favor. Changing consumer preferences (toward authenticity, new flavors, and lighter, sustainable wines) and climate pressures have prompted winemakers to rethink the grapes they grow. Several categories of grapes are trending and may shape the wines of tomorrow:

Hybrid & Disease-Resistant Grapes (Sustainability)

Grape breeders and winemakers are increasingly embracing hybrids – crosses between the classic Vitis vinifera and other grape species – to combat climate challenges. These PIWI (pilzwiderstandsfähig, or fungus-resistant) varieties require far fewer chemical treatments and can thrive in marginal climates. Once dismissed as inferior, modern hybrids are proving their quality. In blind tastings, hybrid wines like Souvignier Gris have impressed even skeptics, signaling the potential for these grapes to offer a more sustainable future in winegrowing. Cool-climate regions (e.g. England, Scandinavia, Midwest US) already rely on hardy hybrids such as Solaris, Marquette, and Vidal that resist frost and disease.

Vidal Blanc

As the wine industry confronts pressures to reduce pesticides and adapt to new weather patterns, hybrids are shedding their stigma and gaining traction. Wineries dedicated to organic and low-intervention wines especially see promise in these resilient grapes, which maintain healthy yields under stress and reduce the vineyard’s environmental footprint.

Heat- and Drought-Tolerant Varieties (Climate Adaptation)

With rising temperatures and shifting weather, even traditional regions are swapping in grapes that better handle heat and water stress. Many of these are not “new” at all but indigenous to warmer climates. For example, Bordeaux has experimentally approved grapes like Touriga Nacional (from Portugal) and Marselan (a French Cabernet-Grenache cross) to cope with hotter summers. Native warm-climate grapes often have advantages: Portugal’s Touriga Nacional and Sicily’s Nero d’Avola are naturally heat-tolerant and need less irrigation than, say, Pinot Noir or Merlot. Likewise, Greece’s Assyrtiko grape from arid Santorini thrives with remarkable drought resistance, maintaining acidity even in intense heat. These varieties are now being planted beyond their home regions – Assyrtiko has found new homes in Australia and California, and Spanish grapes like Garnacha and Monastrell are spreading to warmer sections of France – because they can survive and excel where water is scarce. As winemakers adapt, we will see more vineyards replaced or replanted with robust grapes that can deliver quality under extreme conditions (high temperatures, little rainfall). This trend ensures wine continuity in traditional areas and opens up new possibilities in regions previously deemed too hot or dry.

Indigenous and Rediscovered Grapes (Authenticity & Novelty)

Wine drinkers today are more adventurous, seeking out authenticity and unique flavors. This has fueled a rediscovery of indigenous grape varieties that were once overlooked. Many heritage grapes offer distinctive taste profiles and a strong sense of place, appealing to consumers looking beyond the usual Cabernet-Chardonnay spectrum . For example, Austria’s Blaufränkisch, Hungary’s Furmint, and Greece’s Xinomavro are gaining international attention for their character: Blaufränkisch brings peppery, dark-fruited spice; dry Furmint delivers racy acidity and minerality (after centuries in sweet Tokaji wines); and Xinomavro is often likened to Nebbiolo for its firm tannin and complex notes of olive and tomato leaf. In Portugal, the once-obscure Baga grape is now celebrated for age-worthy, Barolo-like reds. Wineries and sommeliers also use these native varieties to stand out in the market – offering a story and heritage that mass-market grapes can’t match. From Slovenia’s Rebula (a.k.a. Ribolla Gialla) appearing on fine dining wine lists to Jura’s pale red Trousseau finding favor for its food-friendly versatility, indigenous grapes are trending. This movement not only preserves biodiversity and local traditions, but also satisfies consumers’ curiosity for novel wine experiences. In short, authenticity is “in”, and many once-forgotten grapes are now rising stars on the global stage.

Looking Ahead

The convergence of climate change, consumer curiosity, and innovative viticulture is reshaping the wine world. Regions previously too cold (or long overlooked) are now producing serious wines, while growers everywhere experiment with grapes that better fit today’s realities. Wine producers are diversifying, planting everything from fungus-resistant hybrids to ancient native vines, ensuring resilience and distinctiveness. These emerging regions and grape varieties are not just trends but likely the new pillars of the industry’s future – offering wine lovers more to explore in the years to come.

Sources:

• Emerging wine regions due to climate change (sommelierawards.com)

• Beverage industry climate impact report (beveragedaily.com)

• Eastern Europe and other new wine countries (Londonwinecompetition.com)

• Indigenous and climate-resilient grape varieties (wineenthusiasts.com)