If you follow trends in the world of wine, you may be familiar with the emerging garagiste movement. Garagiste, or “garage wine,” is an innovate form of small-batch wine production in which winemakers create limited edition wines, usually making use of small or limited production space. This results in truly exclusive wines that are meant to be enjoyed by only a select number of lucky people. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy some of the exciting vintages emerging from the garagiste movement. Here is everything you need to know about garagiste wines and wineries.

History of the Movement

Like many of the major trends in winemaking, the garagiste movement began in France. In the 1990s, winemakers in the Bordeaux region broke with tradition and began crafting wines that were more in-line with international tastes. These new wines were often brewed in small batches and aged wherever there was space, such as in the garage, which is where the style derived its name. The ability to experiment with styles was very appealing to winemakers around the world, and soon the garagiste aesthetic spread to North and South America, and many other places that wine is made.

Types of Garagiste Wines

Garagiste wines are available in red and white styles. Most major varieties are represented, though garagiste varieties may not align exactly with what you have come to expect from a given type of wine. For example, many garagiste wines are not aged as long as conventional wines. This tends to make them sweeter and fruitier, so even very dry garagiste varieties tend to be a bit lighter than their large batch counterparts.

Where to Find Wines

Many garagiste wines are fairly exclusive and may not be widely available outside of the region in which they are produced. The best place to sample a lot of different varieties is often at festivals dedicated to garagiste wines. Another way to find wines it so get in touch with small-batch wineries in your area. Some of these operations may be too intimate to host tastings or other events, but they will allow you to order bottles of wine and find out which restaurants and stores in your area carry their wines. Finally, try large, well-stocked liquor stores. Not only are these retailers more likely to carry garagiste wines, but the staff their can help you pick the perfect bottle.No matter where you live, there are likely to be garagiste wineries in your area. Visit one or order a bottle to begin your journey into the exciting world of small-batch wines.