Breaking Down Six Delicious Uncommon Wines

Written by Rachel Potter | Jun 16, 2025 4:56:13 PM

We all know the classics: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon; but there’s so much more to wine than these tried and true grapes. Of course there’s always a time and place to sip on a Chardonnay, but there’s hundreds of grape varieties that are just as amazing but not as popular.
In search of uncommon wine grapes, I read through countless forums and reviews to pick out six lesser-known grape varietals that were the most mentioned with interesting stories to tell. Let’s break down three white and red wines, that despite being less known–whether it be a result of low yield, difficulties exporting to the U.S., or snubbed for more popular varieties–boast strong, unique flavor profiles and exquisite tastes.

Uncommon White Wines

Timorasso
Found only in Colli Tortonesi, a small region in southeast Piedmont Italy, the Timorasso grape varietal was almost extinct by the 1980s. That was until Walter Massa planted and resurrected the varietal at his family vineyard, keeping this grape from being erased with time.

Timorasso has struggled not because of its flavor preference, which is uniquely crisp and aromatic, high in acidity, and develops into notes of petrol and honey, similar to a red. It’s simply difficult to grow–requiring a long ripening season on high hillsides for maximum sun exposure. Plus, it rots easily, making it best grown in Colli Tortonesi where the wind from the Ligurian coast can ventilate the vines.

Straight from the vineyard that saved the vine, try the 2023 Vigneti Massa Timorasso - Piccolo Derthona.

Nascetta
Similar to Timorasso, Nascetta is also grown across Piedmont, Italy. Just like many grapes in Europe during the 19th century, this particular varietal was almost wiped out by the phylloxera crisis. Following the aftermath of the blight and pressure from two world wars, producers started planting higher-yield vineyards with commercially appealing grapes that used less resources, saying bye-bye to Nascetta.

After 50 years, Nascetta saw a revival in the mid-1990’s when Novello winemakers, such as Elvio Cogno, began producing the wine once again. This particular grape is intensely floral, alongside riper tropical fruit aromas. Historically it was considered best for producing sweet wines as the palate consists of crisp apple, grapefruit, and honey flavors, creating a balanced structure.

Straight from the producer who reintroduced the vine, try the Elvio Cogno Langhe Nascetta di Novello "Anas-Cëtta" 2023.

Neuburger
Increasingly grown throughout the 19th century, Neuburger was a popular Austrian wine choice up until the last 30 to 40 years of winemaking. This underrated grape was continuously cultivated in the country until its loss in popularity, with the vines gradually diminishing in favor of more known varieties such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Neuburger is a cross between other Austrian grape varieties, Rote Veltliner and Silvaner, bringing a dense, full body, similar to Burgundy wines. It was increasingly planted across western Lower Austria in the early 19th century in the the time of a major vine “export” bringing this tasty grape to Czechia, Slovakia, and Romania. Despite gradually losing popularity, Neuburger holds as one of Austria’s best underrated wines–it even has its own memorial commemorating its origin in Lower Austria’s Wachau region.

If you’re looking to taste this Austrian classic, try out the Domäne Wachau Neuburger Spitzer Graben Federspiel 2024.

Uncommon Red Wines

Caberlot
Perhaps the rarest wine, the Caberlot grape is only found and grown on two acres on the Il Carnasciale estate in Tuscan, Italy. The varietal was first found in the early 1960s in an abandoned vineyard near Padua, Italy. Caberlot is uniquely rare as it’s a natural crossing between Cabernet Franc and Merlot–boding characteristics of both grapes which it’s named after.

Carbelot, alongside Carnasciale, are the only wines in the world made with this re-found grape varietal. Over time, more vines have been planted, but production remains limited, as Caberlot is only grown and produced through Il Carnasciale, who meticulously prunes, buds, and manages each grape by hand. Their final efforts result in a small number of finally aged bottles boasting this rare wine's intense flavors of red berries, chocolate, and hints of vanilla and toffee.

Try the rarest wine in the world (if you’re lucky enough to get a bottle) with the 2018 Il Carnasciale "Il Caberlot".

Mavrud
Grown in Greece with Bulgarian origins, this relatively uncommon grape is one of the most popular local Bulgarian wines that’s on the way to becoming internationally recognized. Best grown in warmer regions with fresh alluvial soil, the highest concentration of Mavrud vineyards still exist in its birthplace around the Black Sea coast.

Difficulties arise with the Mavrud grape variety because they are typically low yielding, late ripening, and produce small, black grapes with thick skin. Despite this, the grape is not short on character. Its dark complexion produces an inky colored wine with aromas of blackberry and prune. With herbal characteristics and pronounced tannins, this wine tastes similar to cough-syrup with a harmonious finish–flavors that are hard to replicate.

Take a taste of this particularly unique grape with the 2019 Edoardo Miroglio 'Bio' Mavrud.

Aglianico
Native to southern Italy, Aglinaco is particular about where it’s grown, making habitat its biggest defeat in becoming a popular vine. This grape varietal prefers volcanic areas and windy hills and suffers from both excessive heat and cold, needing mild winters to survive–which has become increasingly difficult.

Luckily, the Mastroberardino family has been working to tediously revive the Aglianco grape through experimentation and lowering yields. Over time, they’ve slowly helped promote the grape into a stylish, full-bodied red with delicious flavors that are worth a try. Balancing savory notes of cured meats, game, and pepper, alongside sweeter flavors of black cherry, plum, and tart berries, it’s experimental, concentrated in flavors, and softens with age.

Explore the flavors of this eccentric grape yourself with a bottle of Mastroberardino Aglianico Irpinia 2022.

Even if these grapes don’t have as much commercial success as more popular varieties, that doesn’t make them any less worthy to be in a glass. If anything, they make wine a bit more exciting than what we’re used to.

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