Often overshadowed by neighboring Bordeaux, the Southwest is a treasure chest of local grapes and traditions that exist almost nowhere else. The region scatters across river valleys and rolling hills, with a mix of climates and soils that support an unusually diverse cast of varieties. Look for the inky, tannic reds of Cahors made from Malbec, the bracing Tannat of Madiran, and a whole world of obscure whites worth seeking out. For drinkers tired of the usual suspects, this is fertile hunting ground.