The bucolic town where these 3rd generation winemakers come from looks straight out of a medieval-town movie set. But the winery is run almost entirely on solar energy - very NOT medieval. Try this refreshing white with regional specialty Roquefort-filled prunes.

Grape • Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc
Place • Gascony, France
FYI • Gascony has a tremendous gastronomic heritage.

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.

Wines from this windy plain, or "meseta" in Spanish, come from the important agricultural area Castilla-La Mancha. Light and lively this wine reflects capturing the sun in each bottle with notes of pear, wild flower and grapefruit. Serve as a sipper at social events or pair with tacos.

Grape • Viura
Place • Castilla-La Mancha
FYI • Buenas is a casual greeting used at social gatherings.

Lachlan and Bobby are two friends so inspired by Friuli they opened a restaurant dedicated to the cuisine from this region in Boulder, CO and then went on to create their own wine label. From the birthplace of Barbera, this red exudes plum, berries and a hint of mushrooms. Pairs well with pork ragu and pasta.

Grape • Barbera
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Scarpetta means "make the little shoe."

The long hot summers of this region are exactly what's needed to allow the grapes within to shine. Different fermentation and maceration times for each varietal has helped to create a stunning wine. Dark cherry with a nod of violet, this pairs well with duck or other game.

Grape • Syrah, Grenache
Place • Rhone, France
FYI • This vineyard is Irish owned.

The wives of winemaker's Chris and Elijah were college roommates. So long before the "Ministry" became a winery, the two were decade-old friends who regularly drank wine over BBQ. Loaded with layers of blueberry, vanilla, and a hint of coffee. Try with skirt steak...or even chocolate!

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • North Coast, California
FYI • California accounts for 90% of US wine production.

Vines up to 90 years old on sandy soil is part of the magic behind what is essentially a declassified Chateaneuf. This Grenache heavy blend is aromatic an red with notes of black pepper and cassis. It is showing very well now and will pair well with lamb, sausage, and duck.

Grape • Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Syrah
Place • Chateaneuf-du-Pape, France
FYI • Cotes means slope or hills.

Sebastian Zuccardi created this wine, first released in 2013, in honor of his father Jose Alberto. This expressive wine is made from grapes that grow at approximately 4,000 feet above sea level. With aromas of blackberries and herbs this wine pairs well with steak and chimichurri.

Grape • Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Uco Valley, Argentina
FYI • The Uco Valley has over 250 days of sun a year.

This sometimes overlooked region is home to one of Italy's most powerful varietals, Sagrantino. It often takes years to come into it's own and this offering from Colpetrone is their current release at nearly a decade old! Incredibly well structured with brambleberries, leather and spice it pairs well with goat dishes.

Grape • Sagrantino
Place • Montefalco, Italy
FYI • This region is known as "the belly of the belly" of Italy