This workhorse varietal has so much natural tannin it will leave your head spinning. This is a great expression of Carmenere with notes of tobacco, black pepper and blackberry. Well balanced this wine can easily age for another year or two. It paris well with duck and cassoulet.

Grape • Carmenere
Place • Colchagua Valley, Chile
FYI • The Tinguiriric river formed the Colchagua Valley.

"Fresh and zesty with soft acidity, this is a modern Australian take on the Pinot Grigio style. The complex nose offers fragrant orange blossom, fresh pear, citrus and lovely floral aromatics. Crisp and clean, the citrusy palate leads to a long, fresh and satisfying finish." Great aperitif.

Grape • Pinot Grigio
Place • SE Australia, Australia
FYI • Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape.

Founded in 1980 by Austrian immigrants the family-owned winery originally sold bulk wines transforming into today's highly regarded operation. A deep ruby red with complex aromas of black cherries and kitchen spice. Pairs well with grilled meats.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Colchagua Valley, Chile
FYI • The Colchagua Valley is a "transverse valley."

Fifth generation winemaker Alexandre Monmousseau is behind the wheel at this property where most of the vineyards were planted in 1929. This wine has great aging potential and currently exhibits notes of cooked apple, kitchen spice, and apple blossom. Great with seafood.

Grape • Chenin Blanc
Place • Loire Valley, France
FYI • The vineyard is located in an area called "Lover's Gap."

When sharecropping ended in Italy it forced the hand of Riccardo Seghesio to buy the estate in 1964. By 1990 they were no longer selling off grapes but bottling their own wine. Now their elegant Barbera is a wine that "was always there" and pairs well with a variety of Italian cheeses - try it with Taleggio, a real treat

Grape • Barbera
Place • Monforte d'Alba, Italy
FYI • Alba is famous for white truffles.

Expressive color, expressive nose, expressive flavor. EXPRESSIVE! This explosive rose comes from a relatively obscure appellation: Coteaux du Giennois. A young estate, built in 1983, the family approaches wine making with a youthful spirit. Delicious notes of cherry and watermelon. Pairs well with sushi.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Loire Valley, France
FYI • Coteaux du Giennois is just north of famed Pouilly Fume.

The brother duo behind this wine is an incredibly small property with only 3,000 bottles produced annually. Meticulously looked after by the Chavreau's, this is one of only four chateaux in Sancerre center. Notes of citrus, minerality, and flint. Pairs well with trout and artichoke or sushi,

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Loire Valley, France
FYI • The area was first cultivated by Romans around 1 A.D.

There's a reason Burgundy is pricey. Exceptional quality, and not much to go around. Tucked away in the famed Cote Chalonnaise on a 4th generation estate with the best exposure. Grapes are hand-harvested, selective picking on sorting table. Tight energy with solid minerality. Can age 2-4 years.

Grape • Chardonnay
Place • Burgundy, France
FYI • This village is allowed to produce both red and white.

"The subtlety given by the Briguières sandy soil combined with a search for the highest maturity for a harvest with no de-stemming, offers a wine which is both elegant, complex and genuine." Notes of black pepper, black fruit, and minerality. Pair with mushroom soup or a beef stew.

Grape • Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Place • Rhone Valley, France
FYI • Sablet became an AOC in 1974.