This easy-drinking red comes from a consortium of farmers who pooled their resources together 35 years ago. Notes of sun-warmed black cherry, plum and black pepper. Pairs well with roast chicken as well as pecorino cheese.

Grape • Montepulciano d' Abruzzo, Merlot
Place • Abruzzo, Italy
FYI • Wines from this region were written about in 210 BC.

Easy drinking red from the southernmost part of South Africa. Full of ripe berry notes this red is easy to drink on its own or pair with dishes like BBQ or a chicken salad.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • The coast of this region was treacherous for ships.

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.

An estate wine from this family owned and operated producer is made by Gabriel Bloise and is their flagship red. It is now one of the most sought-after wines from Argentina. Aged in French oak, this rich full-bodied red has notes of ripe plum, blackberry, cassis, and lavender. Pairs well with beef short ribs.

Grape • Malbec
Place • Mendoza, Argentina
FYI • Chakana, is an equal-armed cross aka an Inca Cross.

Franschhoek Cellar is a beautiful estate on the Franschhoek Valley wine route of South Africa, and is home to an exquisite range of wines. Notes of blackberry, clove, and raspberry jam. Recommended with roast lamb, gammon steaks or spicy sausage and sauerkraut.

Grape • Pinotage
Place • Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
FYI • This area is one hour from Cape Town.

Marie Christine, the daughter of Henri Ducourt, purchased this prestigious left-bank property in 1979, which lies on the border of the Graves appellation. The vineyard was rapidly replanted and the château building, which dates from 1348, was restored. Aromas of white flowers and citrus. Pair with chicken salad.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard
Place • Bordeaux, France
FYI • Colombard is a grape used to make cognac.

From Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Escudo Rojo Origine is vinified in the Bordeaux manner, favoring extraction of the fruit and a supple, well-balanced tannic structure. Refined and complex, with intense fruit notes of cassis, Morello cherry, mocha, vanila, and hazselnut. Try with a beef stir fry.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Maipo Valley, Chile
FYI • Foothill of Andes Mtn. range is perfect for Cabernet.

"Founded in 1957 by Guillermo Eguren, Sierra Cantabria is nestled in the heart of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a town of great winemaking tradition. Intense Cherry with oasty nose of oak with light traces of fine reduction (tobacco and cedar)." Pairs very well with grilled lamb or steak.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • The mountain range has a huge micrcolimate influence.

Named for the French word "baker" as it is believed Napoleon's bakers used the vineyard as their camp when his armies were in the region. Pears, apple blossoms with a hint of nuttiness abound in this white that pairs well with the classic Piemontese dish Vitello Tonnato - cold slices of veal topped with a creamy tuna sauce.

Grape • Arneis
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • First vintage from the Langhe vineyards was 1985.