The temperatures in this region are kept cool by the influence of the ocean. Keeping the region cool is key to growing the temperature sensitive pinot noir. This lively wine is full of bright cherry and violet flavors and pairs well with paella.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Casablanca Valley, Chile
FYI • Casablanca means "white house."

Adi Badenhorst’s resume reads: awesome dude, making awesome wines. He rescued fruit being used for run-of-the-mill box wine by taking matters into his own hands. Changes in the field and at the winery helped create this gem. A true “every day of the week wine” it is easy to drink and easy to pair with. Enjoy!

Grape • Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault
Place • Swartland, South Africa
FYI • Swartland is the breadbasket of South Africa.

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.

Named after the oldest surviving vineyard at Yalumba, this wine comes from Eden Valley which was recognized as an official wine zone in 1997. The addition of Viogner helps round out the wine's character. Notes of wild blackberry and plum. Pairs great with pork loin.

Grape • Shiraz, Viogner
Place • Eden Valley, Australia
FYI • The winery was founded in 1849.

Francois-Xavier Barc served as the winemaker for the famed estate Charles Joguet for many years. In 2010 he decided to go it alone by making his own wine. This wildly popular white is refreshing with hints of citrus and minerality. Drink on its own or pair with seafood.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Touraine, France
FYI • Touraine takes its name from the Celtic tribe Turones.

Once ignored, this now hard working varietal is finding great success under the hands of owner Angelo Sansone. Named after the small village this winery sits in it is nearby the Gran Sasso mountains. Full of minerality and crisp Bosc pear notes this is easy all on it's own.

Grape • Passerina
Place • Abruzzo, Italy
FYI • Abruzzo is the "heel" of Italy.

"The Beruttis bought 4 hectares in 1994 in the then relatively unknown zone of Novello. Densely structured with full, complex flavors of ripened red fruits, wood and earth tones. A huge wine of elegant proportions that becomes velvety and graceful with aging. Excellent with wild game."

Grape • Nebiolo
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Spinona is a special breed of Piedmontese hunting dog.

This is a truly wonderful wine planted on original vinifera rootstock. Critters known as phylloxera love to eat this type of rootstock so the clock is ticking on this vineyard. In the meantime enjoy this wine full of rich cherry and plum flavors and a hint of earth. Goes well with game meats.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Willamette Valley, Oregon
FYI • The wine's name refers to a 19th century protest mvmt.

The Swiss make wonderful wine but not much of it makes it out of the country. Located in the spectacular Grand Cru village of Vetroz. Named for the almond trees here look for a delicate nuttiness balanced with acidity. Excellent pairing for cheese courses.

Grape • Fendant
Place • Valais, Switzerland
FYI • Vineyards are all terraced because of steep conditions.