With thousands of wines available, even the most experienced wine connoisseur is bound to come across a wine that they were previously unaware of. Whether you enjoy a full bodied, red wine or a clearer green wine, there are a few great wine suggestions on this list of wines you might not have heard of before.

With summer warmth arrived the need for a delicious meal under the sun, and these wines are fabulous options for enjoying a glass while taking in the flowery view, or for sharing a bottle during a meal with friends and family.

2014 Nortico Alvarinho

The Alto Douro region in Portugal might be the one that immediately comes to mind when you think of wines produced in this country; after all, the world-renowned port comes from this area.

However, the extreme north of the sub-region of Portugal that borders Spain, Monção and Melgaço, produces the best Alvarinho Vinho Verde wine you can find. It has tropical fruit aromas of grapefruit and peach, and a bright acidity that gives this wine its character. This is a full, rich wine made from ripe yellow, skinned fruits that can be enjoyed on its own or with a delicious seafood meal.

Produced alongside the Minho River in granite soil, Nortico Alvarinho represents Portuguese dry wines and what they have to offer with a fresh, delicate, and light acidity. This wine is perfect for a summer day meal under the wonderful, warm sun.

2011 Force Majeure Collaboration Series II

Advised to be drunk in the 2014-2026 period, this wine is a 96% Syrah co-fermented with 2% each of Viognier and Roussanne. Its peppery, black raspberry, and spicy tones make this a rich, full-bodied wine with moderate acidity and stunning purity.

This Syrah from the Washington region in the USA matured in 30% new French oak for around 20 months, developing its wonderful cassis taste. A few layers of sweet fruit complement the tasting experience, providing you with an excellent wine for a hearty meal.

2012 Girlan Patricia Pinot Noir

Red and black carnation flowers and fruits are present in this wine’s aroma. The clear maroon colour is accented by the earthy and black raspberries layers, structured with delicate spiciness and herbs. This full bodied wine has a powerful taste while retaining Pinot Noir’s elegance, making it perfect to accompany pork or fish dishes.

Spending 15 months in a combination of small and large barrels gives the wine an added dimension without compromising its heavy oak flavour. This Italian wine is a Barolo drinker’s Pinot Noir grown on the south-west facing slopes of the Alto Adige region and in clay and lime soils that add elegance and sophistication to the wine.

2013 Stobi Žilavka

The little known Žilavka grape allows for a delightful wine with a clear, straw colour. Its lovely fragrance of quince, lemon, and peaches has a touch of pepperiness to it once drunk. A simply grilled fish or a delicate pork dish can be accompanied by this wine, allowing you to enjoy its dry but fruity flavour.

From the region of the Republic of Macedonia, the climate and the mountainous land provides the ideal environment to grow grapes of stunning quality.

2004 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

This rare wine is a must try for any wine lover. Made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, this wine is an inky black, dark red wine with undertones of blackcurrants, bay leaf, tobacco, and spice. 2004 was a particularly good year with optimum conditions, which is clearly visible in its classic tannin structure. This vintage can be paired nicely with meat, specifically lamb, venison, and beef.

This Australian Cabernet Merlot is one of the finest in the country. The wine is only from the best barrels and fruit, which is picked at the right level of ripeness in the Cullen vineyard. Around 10% to 50% of the wine is partially barrel fermented, while the remainder is provided with extended maceration before it is further matured in 30% new and tightly-grained French oak barrels.

2013 Frittmann Cserszegi Füszeres

This pale, lemon-green wine has a dry Muscat feel with its spice, grape, and floral undertones. The refreshing acidity of citrus fruits, like lemon peel, from the Kunság wine region in Hungary comes from the most widespread grape – the Olaszrizling. A touch of green apple and Turkish delight with anise comprise the complex aroma in this wine.

This Hungarian wine from the winery of the Frittmann brothers is from a variety that is the result of crossing the local Irsai Olivér with Gewürztraminer, producing distinct spicy and full bodied wines.