If you’re feeling the effects of tariff whiplash from the news this week, you’re not alone. French wine, in particular, had a wild ride, with proposed tariff hikes ranging from 10% to 200%. While the immediate danger seems to have passed, uncertainty remains, prompting many wine lovers to seek out lower-tariff options for their cellar.
Domestic wines are the obvious choice for those looking to dodge tariffs, but other options are often overlooked amid conflicting and ever-changing information. Below, you’ll find a handful of countries with tariff rates lower than average, along with specific wines from each that we recommend seeking out.
Argentina – 10% Tariff
By now, most collectors know that excellent Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay are being made by Dr. Laura Catena’s team at Catena Zapata, and many have also tasted Piero Incisa della Rocchetta’s Bodega Chacra in Patagonia, purveyors of world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Hidden gems can still be found, however, in Argentina’s higher-elevation regions like the Uco Valley’s Gualtallary Hills, where Edy and Santiago del Pópolo of PerSe are making phenomenal single-vineyard Malbecs of poise and character.
Australia – 10% Tariff
Long forgotten by the US collector set, Australia produces exceptional wine of nearly every persuasion, from the zippy perfection of Hunter Valley Sémillon to the elegant power of Hill of Grace. In an era of ever-increasing White Burgundy prices, the best Margaret River producers like Vasse Felix or Moss Wood should not be overlooked. Excellent Pinot Noir is also available all along the stylistic spectrum, from the elegance of By Farr to the power of Bass Phillip. Though few Americans are talking about it, a compelling argument can be made that Australia is the single most exciting wine region to be drinking from right now.
Chile – 10% Tariff
Chile’s fine wine scene has long been shaped by immigration and foreign investment. From the Chadwick family to the Rothschild/Concha y Toro collaboration behind Almaviva, and even the Mondavi foray into Chile with Seña, drinkers of Bordeaux-style reds who appreciate a touch of ripeness will feel right at home in this long, southern stretch of the wine world. But things are shifting, particularly farther south in regions like Biobío and Malleco. For White Burgundy lovers, the folks at Baettig are doing great work in Malleco, producing Chardonnays with mineral tension and acidity usually reserved for the Côte de Beaune.
The United Kingdom – 10% Tariff
In many ways the UK is the ten-year overnight success of the wine business. A decade ago the wine press was awash with excitement over the sparkling wines of a few ambitious producers in southern England, but the wines (and the prices) rarely stood up to the hype. Over the intervening decade, the wines have steadily improved while prices have remained largely unchanged, something that cannot be said of Champagne. Gusborne, Nyetimber, Hattingley Valley – there are plenty of excellent producers of serious sparkling to rival the greats of Champagne. And for the adventurous, even the still wines are beginning to show real ambition. Check out Whitewolfe’s Chardonnays for a glimpse of what might be possible for Chard in this region’s future.
Whether you’re looking for a new vinous adventure or simply trying to avoid the hotbeds of an ill-fated trade war, the beauty of the modern wine world is the sheer breadth of quality and ambition found across the globe. The passion has always been there, but with the widespread sharing of viticultural and winemaking techniques, the quality has finally caught up. The fact that you can save a bit on tariffs is simply the icing on the cake.