Vina Bujanda is owned by a brother and sister duo whose family has been in the wine business since the late 1800's. Today their modern operation is producing a refreshing style of wine such as this ruby-colored red with notes of red currant and cherry. Perfect with seafood paella.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • Rioja is made up of three different regions.

The darling grape of California is brilliant here with layers of flavors ranging from blackberry to tea to cedar. No need to worry about this being an over-the-top style. This red, from Gregory Ahn, is a medium bodied delight that pairs well with lasagna.

Grape • Zinfandel
Place • Lodi, California
FYI • Lodi is also famous for it's huge raisin production.

Spending four months in oak barrels gives this red the extra structure that makes it so delicious. These grapes are indigenous to Portugal and the backbone of their table wine production. Aromatic and well balanced with hints of blueberry and vanilla this pairs well with marinated flank steak.

Grape • Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez
Place • Alentejo, Portugal
FYI • Alentejo means "beyond the Tagus river."

The majority of wines from Paul Achs are red, not the norm in white-wine centric Austria. His time working in Napa has brought these wines their own style of elegance. With hints of black pepper and a touch of bing cherry and herbs this screams for a well-appointed cheeseboard!

Grape • Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Blaufrankisch
Place • Burgenland, Austria
FYI • These varietals are seldom seen outside Austria.

Lazio vineyards are located just outside of Rome. While other wine regions in Italy get noticed, this area and ancient grape is often overlooked. Grown organically on volcanic soil by the Capineti family, this wine is full of aromas of minerality, peach, and apricot. Pair with grilled swordfish and peaches.

Grape • Bellone
Place • Lazio, Italy
FYI • This grape is also known as Cacchione.

At the end of a chain of hills just east of the Sibillini Mountains is a place as special to Italy as Tuscany or Piedmont. Here, Montefalco is home to the robust grape sagrantino. By blending it with sangiovese, a "lighter" version is released with prominent notes of plum and spice. Pair with charcuterie.

Grape • Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot
Place • Umbria, Italy
FYI • Sagrantino is one of Italy's oldest varietals.

Made from old vines dating back to 1949, there are two vineyards that produce the prize-winning grapes for this wine. The west facing vineyard provides more delicate tones such as violet. The east facing more gripping notes of tobacco. A superb wine. Try with Peking Duck!

Grape • Barbera
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Vajra labels were famously desgined by Gianni Gallo.

Rocca Giovanni’s winery consists of 22 hectares of vineyards located in the municipality of Monforte d'Alba and is a completely family run operation. This complex red has layers of cherry, herbs, licorice, tea, and cinnamon. Pair with Agnolotti del Pin or risotto and truffles or mushrooms.

Grape • Nebbiolo
Place • Piedmont , Italy
FYI • Barolo and Barbaresco are made from the same grape.

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