As they say at the winery "happy wines start with happy vines." Complex soils, older vines, and a touch of aging in French oak adds to the succulent layers of plum, boysenberry, and anise. Easy to drink and easy to pair with...like a pulled pork sandwich.

Grape • Merlot
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • The WC's coasts border the Indian and Atlantic oceans.

Cheerful, bright, and full of vibrant flavors of lime zest and minerality. Aged in stainless steel before heading home to you. This easy sipper pairs well with pool-side parties as well as arugula and goat cheese salad.

Grape • Pinot Grigio
Place • Sicily, Italy
FYI • Spaghetti was invented in Sicily.

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean that sits off the coast of France. It boasts plenty of cheerful sunshine and cheerful is exactly what this wine is. Notes of cherry and a supple mouth feel, this pairs well with a variety of foods from charcuterie to roast chicken to grilled salmon.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Corsica, France
FYI • Napoleon was born on Corsica

"Founded in 1932 by husband and wife team - Isaac Muga and Aurora Caño, the Muga Family is synonymous with tradition and the skill of an artisan. Three generations have now contributed to the history of this Rioja cellar." Notes of stone fruit this wine pairs well with tapas.

Grape • Garnacha, Viura, Tempranillo
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • Only winery in Spain to use 100% oak in entire process.

Few places grow grüner veltliner and even fewer (actually nobody) who do it as well as the Austrians. From the traditional winemaking region Kremstal comes a perfect example of why this is the darling grape of this country. With bright acidity and minerality, pair this with fish, light past dishes or simply as is.

Grape • Grüner Veltliner
Place • Kremstal, Austria
FYI • Austria’s most important white grape.

Maturana Tinta is a grape variety indigenous to Rioja, but it was almost lost when it fell out of fashion and has been brought back by conservationists. This impressively deep and nascently complex bouquet of black raspberries pairs well with pulled pork.

Grape • Maturana Tina
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • The winemaker worked at Vega Sicilia

Bodegas Covila is a micro cooperative located in Lapuebla de Labarca in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. This small town is situated on the north bank of the Ebro River. Delicious ripe red fruit aromas with notes cocoa, spice and vanilla. Pairs well with blackened chicken or other fare off the grill.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • The vines see on average 2,000 sun hours a year.

THe Lancon's are decendants of the Barberini family. The best known of the family, Maffeo Barberini, was a papal nuncio, or diplomatic representative, in Paris from 1604 to 1606, and was made Pope in Rome under the name Pope Urban VIII. Today Floret Lancon makes this complex red. Pair with roast lamb.

Grape • Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault
Place • Rhone Valley, France
FYI • Floret Lancon also collects orchids.

Blain-Gagnard was created in 1980. Their white wines are coveted by hedonists including this Premier Cru from the La Boudriotte site. This delicious showing has lots to give including great minerality that leads into a spicy pear nose before finishing with quince. A versatile dinner wine. Can cellar through 2023.

Grape • Chardonnay
Place • Burgundy, France
FYI • Is located within the grounds of the Morgeot Abbey.