Use our region glossary to trace terroir, climate, and quintessential styles across the wine world.
Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) is Austria's largest and most geographically diverse wine region, encircling Vienna and stretching from the Danube valleys to the Pannonian plain. It combines historic, high-quality sites such as the steep terraces of the Wachau, Kamptal and Kremstal with broad loess… Read more
Niigata (Japan) is a cool-climate, coastal wine region along the Sea of Japan on Honshu’s west coast. Traditionally famed for rice and sake, viticulture has expanded since the late 20th century as growers exploited cooler temperatures and long ripening seasons. Wineries emphasize crisp, aromatic whi… Read more
Ningxia is a rapidly prominent Chinese wine region in the Yellow River basin at the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains. Commercial viticulture expanded from the late 1990s and 2000s with large investments, modern wineries, and increasing international exposure. Vineyards are planted on alluvia… Read more
The Northern Rhône, located in southeastern France along the Rhône River from Vienne to just north of Valence, is famed for its steep, terraced vineyards and long history of fine wine production. Small appellations like Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Joseph produce intensely flavored, agewo… Read more
Noto, nestled in the southeastern corner of Sicily, Italy, is a historic region celebrated for its Baroque architecture and increasingly, its distinctive wines. Situated within the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the area benefits from a unique combination of sunshine, sea breezes, and ca… Read more
Nova Scotia, Canada’s smallest but rapidly evolving wine region, sits along the Atlantic and Bay of Fundy coasts. Its maritime influence produces cool-climate wines marked by brisk acidity and pronounced aromatic clarity. The modern industry grew from experimental plantings in the 1970s to a vibrant… Read more
Nus is a small wine-producing area located in the Aosta Valley, Italy, known for its challenging alpine viticulture. The vineyards, some of the highest in Europe, cling to steep slopes, producing wines with distinct character. Historically, Nus has been a region of subsistence farming, with winemaki… Read more
Ohio’s wine scene clusters chiefly along the Lake Erie shore and in scattered inland pockets, with a history stretching back to the 19th century and a resurgence of quality-focused wineries since the late 20th century. The Great Lakes’ moderating influence extends the growing season and enables nota… Read more
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia's premier wine region, stretches roughly 200–250 km from the hot, desert-like Osoyoos in the south to cooler highland sites near Vernon in the north. Sheltered by mountains and punctuated by long, narrow lakes, the valley produces a wide stylistic range: bright, aro… Read more
Oltrepò Pavese sits in the rolling hills south of Pavia in Lombardy and is Italy's most important Pinot Nero-producing district outside of Alto Adige. Historically agricultural and long associated with bulk wine, the region has reinvented itself with quality-focused estates making elegant still reds… Read more
Ontario, Canada is a diverse and internationally recognized cool-climate wine region centred on the Niagara Peninsula, with notable subregions including Prince Edward County, Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island. Viticulture here expanded in the 19th century and gained global renown for icewine pr… Read more
Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, is best known for its cool-climate wine regions centered on the Willamette Valley but also includes diverse AVAs such as Southern Oregon and the Columbia Gorge. Winemaking here emphasizes site expression and balance: elegant, terroir-driven Pino… Read more
