While this region is centrally located in Italy, it identifies with southern Italian cuisine and culture. This well structured red has layers of dried cherry and cedar. It pairs well with salami and other cured meats and will put a smile on your face.

Grape • Montepulciano
Place • Abruzzo, Italy
FYI • Over half of Abruzzo is designated as national parks.

This unwooded style of Viognier offers an accessible wine with ample body. The color is a brilliant green-gold and the style is dry but fruity. Pair with chicken salad.

Grape • Viognier
Place • Swartland, South Africa
FYI • Swartland is about one hour from Cape Town.

This is pure happiness in a bottle. Sourced from multiple vineyards in southern France it is a blend of grapes that were meant to be together. Refreshing with notes of red currant it is incredibly versatile pairing well with salads, seafood, grilled veggies, and pasta dishes.

Grape • Grenache, Syrah, Merlot
Place • Languedoc, France
FYI • The Languedoc is France's biggest wine producer

Two charming brothers are responsible for this "Twilight" wine. Nestled between two mountain ranges this vineyard is ideal for growing grapes. With a dark cherry color this blend is an instant hit with notes of rose, pomegranate, and pepper. Try with kebabs.

Grape • Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Tempranilo
Place • Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
FYI • This area is acclaimed for wines since Biblical times.

For many years the Lagar de Costa family sold their grapes to other producers. In 2001 they stopped that practice and put forth their namesake label. Complex grapes from 50 year-old vines provide the backbone with notes of exotic fruit. Try with burrata or salsa verde!

Grape • Albarino
Place • Riax Baixas, Spain
FYI • This grape arrived here by Cluny monks in the 1100's.

These days wines from the region that crosses over northern and southern Rhone, Cotes du Rhone, tend to be winners year after year. This offering from the Dupond family is no exception With notes of blackberry jam and licorice this will linger on the palate. Pair with duck breast.

Grape • Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault
Place • Rhone Valley, France
FYI • The Rhone Valley is about 150 miles long.

Quintaluna expresses the genuine character and freshness of Verdejo. The grapes are sourced from a range of small vineyards across various towns in northern Segovia. With complex notes of peach, mandarin, and tropical fruit this pairs well with fish and chicken dishes.

Grape • Verdejo
Place • Castilla y Leon , Spain
FYI • Most of the vines are pre-Phyloxerra

This pristine pinot is from the impeccable Mosel house of Gunther Steinmetz who seeks a vrey Burgudian style. Less is more in their book so they use indigenous yeast, and the wine is unfined and unfiltered. Ripe gorgeous red fruit, this is wonderful drinking all on its own.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Mosel
FYI • Fourth generation currently runs the winery.

Using the knowledge of the "old-timers" to make wine for the "youngsters", this acclaimed varietal was finally recognized for DOC status in 2010. Thought to have a connection to Vermentino this complex white evolves in the glass with a racy acidity, smokiness, and aromas of chamomile tea.

Grape • Nascetta
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • The name of the wine, Anas-Cetta, is made up.