Following its debut in 2014, Vinexpo Tokyo returns this week to give wine enthusiasts a look at relatively lesser-known wine producer regions. Some 200 wine producers from more than 12 countries will be participating in the Japanese edition of the world’s most prestigious wine fair, including names from Moldova, Romania, Austria and Switzerland.

Although Japan’s wine industry is dominated by wine producers from France, Italy and Chile, Vinexpo Tokyo will introduce visitors to wines from regions “off the beaten path”, said Jon Arvid Rosengren, a Swedish wine expert who took the title of Best Sommelier 2016.

Rosengren will hold a masterclass on sparkling wines from Austria. Meanwhile, Paolo Basso, Best Sommelier of the World 2013, will showcase wines from his home country of Switzerland.

Vinexpo Tokyo will also feature American winemakers for the first time, such as Brotherhood, America’s oldest winery which is located at the Hudson River region of New York.

In Japan, wine imports totalled 2,793,000 hectoliters in 2015, worth 176.28 billion yen (€1.41 billion), an increase of nearly 4 percent in both volume and value compared to 2014.

Japan is Asia’s biggest market for imported spirits and the second biggest market in Asia for wine.

Vinexpo Tokyo is expected to attract 4,500 trade visitors. The event takes place November 15 to 16 at Prince Park Tower Hotel.