Navarra is in northern Spain, brushes alongside the French border, and is dotted with remarkable medieval villages. This family run operation took off only about 20 years ago and is now producing this easily approachable wine full of bright red raspberry and strawberry notes. Pairs well with anything chorizo.

Grape • Garnacha
Place • Navarra, Spain
FYI • Pamplona is the capital, famous bulls and running.

A number of styles emerge from the Duoro each year and the climate is to thank. As the locals say, "nine months of winter and three months of hell." The style here is a smooth-bodied red offering notes of blackberry cobbler, dried cherries, and cocoa. Pairs well with good home cooking. (Pot Roast!)

Grape • Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional
Place • Douro, Portugal
FYI • Among the first quintas to bottle/export it's own wine.

From the most important region for high quality Muscadet comes this delightfuly refreshing white. While the Night Templars use to live at the chapel of this namesake wine, all you will find now are wine makers. Bright minerality allows this to pair superbly with shellfish. Fruit de mer anyone?!

Grape • Muscadet
Place • Loire, France
FYI • This region is named for the two rivers that flow there.

Growing in the shadow of Mount Gantkofel, and therefore an even cooler zone than surrounding vineyards, means the grapes need to stay on the vine well into September. The resulting wine is pure genius full of minerality and a degree of salinity making it a perfect match with oysters.

Grape • Pinot Bianco
Place • Alto Adige, Italy
FYI • Cantina Andriano was founded in 1893.

This small plot situated deep within Rioja Alavesa is named after an aunt who was hard of hearing in her latter ears. Remarkable finesse for a Rioja, this elegant wine has delicate flavors of cherry, raspberry, kitchen spice and a touch of leather. Match this Burgundy-like wine with squab or monkfish.

Grape • Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • La Sorda means "the deaf woman."

The hills of New Zealand are alive with this Sauvignon Blanc!Yes, there are notes of that quintessential grapefruit but also that of passion fruit and a good deal of minerality. This is TRULY a seafood pairing kind of wine.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Marlborough, New Zealand
FYI • Marlborough is at the north point of the south island.

Founded outside of Charlotesville, VA in 1976 this winery is considered one of the best in the Commonwealth. With Barbaresco serving as inspiration for the wine's style the result is a resounding success. Elegant and aromatic with layers of violet and dark berry. Try with grilled duck breast.

Grape • Nebbiolo
Place • Barboursville, VA
FYI • Govt. officials wanted tobacco planted here not vines.

There is a reason people love Tuscan reds and this is a gorgeous example why. Elegant with a complex bouquet of herbs, toasted nuts, spice, cherry, and raspberry.  Aged in Slavonian oak barrels for three years and cellared in bottle for 6 months. Delicious with wild game or simply as a "reflective" wine.

Grape • Sangiovese Grosso
Place • Tuscany, Italy
FYI • Brunello refers to the color of grapes at harvest.

Bright, fruit driven, and rewarding from a place that has the know-how on making a full-bodied red. Regularly a favorite in Australia this french-oaked red is full of dark fruit, black pepper, and cassis. Pairs nicely with a quality steak...try it with a peppercorn sauce too!

Grape • Syrah
Place • Victoria, Australia
FYI • Established in 1858 by an English immigrant.