The Lodi Appellation has a classic Mediterranean climate, featuring warm days and cool evenings. Situated 100 miles directly east of the San Francisco Bay. With notes of prunes, cherries, vanilla this goes well with burgers and bbq.

Grape • Petit Sirah
Place • Lodi, California
FYI • Petite Sirah is also known as Durif.

"Up front aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit, medium to light weight, Rhone wine in character; cherry fruit flavors, followed by bright acidity. Reminds one of a mythical cross between a Pinot Noir and a Cotes du Rhone." A pleasant and fun bistro red. Pair with burger or grilled mushroom.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • La Mancha, Spain
FYI • El Cortijillo means the little farm in Spanish.

Château de Saint Cosme is the leading estate of Gigondas and produces the benchmark wines of the appellation. The property has been in the hands of the Barruol family since 1490. Louis Barruol took over from his father in 1992. Look for red fruit notes. Easy to drink on its own or with a cheese board.

Grape • Grenache, Pinot Noir
Place • Rhone Valley, France
FYI • The parcels for this wine change every vintage.

This small winery is owned by the Janny family and produces a chardonnay in the traditional style of Macon with very little use of oak. While they do grow a little pinot noir, this is "chardonnay country." A light golden hue with notes of citrus. Pairs well with chicken.

Grape • Chardonnay
Place • Burgundy, France
FYI • Le Clou means nail in French.

Crisp, clean, with bright citrus notes, this is a light style fermented in stainless steel tank for several months. It pairs well with fish and chicken dishes.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Lontue Valley, Chile
FYI • This wine is Mevushal Kosher.

"Essay Wines consists of two blended wines produced in a Mediterranean style representing the best from the Agter-Paarl area. The vineyards are unirrigated and planted on old Malmesbury shale soils. Notes of plum and spice, pairs well with hamburgers and bbq chicken."

Grape • Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • Essay refers to the abbreviation for South Africa: SA.

"Pureza is: purity, passion, little production" and produced in small amphoras. "It is a white wine with red wine soul" It is unfiltered and unclarified. As such this is a very complex wine to ponder life over. Pair with full flavored seafood.

Grape • Moscatel
Place • Valencia, Spain
FYI • Valencia oranges are not from this area but from the US.

Not far from Cape Town, Klein Constantia is considered one of the world's most beautiful vineyards. But what about the wine? Decomposed granite and cool ocean breezes lend a hand to this, the purist expression of the grape. Sourced from two perfect blocks - pair with Sole Meuniere.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Constantia, South Africa
FYI • The township was established by the Dutch in 1685.

Located on a small plot of land on top of a ridge, this vineyard is surrounded by olive trees in what is a truly spectacular view. Clay soils and sangiovese are a match made in heaven as noted here with notes of black plumb, almond cake, cedar, and rose. Pair with braised game dishes like a wild boar ragu.

Grape • Sangiove
Place • Tuscany, Italy
FYI • Ugolforte is the name of a well-known bandit.