Without question one Italy's most important red grapes, and 100% Sicily's most important one. An intense bouquet of pomegranate and black currant with notes of forest fruit black pepper. A great food wine, pair with pork ribs.

Grape • Nero D'Avola
Place • Sicily, Italy
FYI • Known as "The Black Grape of Avola."

This wine comes from beautiful southern France and is a perfect example of this grape with cheerful notes of lemon and grapefruit. With its bright acidity it is great as a party white or pairing with shrimp cocktail.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Languedoc-Roussillon, France
FYI • Sauvignon Blanc is a native French varietal.

This family run winery, located in northeastern Austria, produces wines that are very approachable from the day they are released. A perfect case in point is this rosé made from the countries most important red varietal, zweigelt. With delicate strawberry and floral notes, this pairs well with lighter fare.

Grape • Zweigelt
Place • Poysdor, Austria
FYI • Austria has the strictest wine making regs in europe.

South Africa has a long history of making bubbly and at the very top of the pyramid is Graham Beck. Served at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela, this wine keeps very good company! With notes of freshly baked bread and citrus, this is a perfect wine to start an evening with.

Grape • Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • Sparkling here is known as Methode Cap Classique.

Four brothers set out to do something spectacular in 1989 and their accomplishment is found in this delicious wine. Beautiful garnet color with notes of plums, cassis, and some floral notes, most notably rose. Pairs very well with the classical Veneto dish, Risotto all'Amarone.

Grape • Corvina
Place • Veneto, Italy
FYI • Visiting Venice? Be sure to add Verona to your itinerary.

This property was founded in 1978 and built on land previously used as a cherry orchard. Today they family farms biodynamically. With a bouquet of black fruit, prune jam, black olive, wild flowers, and licorice, this pairs well with braised lamb shank or a pork ribs.

Grape • Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre
Place • Rhone Valley, France
FYI • Two brothers who once owned this fell out years ago.

Named after the rare Southern right whales found off the coast of Walker Bay, Anthony H. Russell set out to make an age-worthy wine from ZA's very own varietal: pinotage. A textured red with the complexity of dark rich fruit and a woodsy aromatic. Pairs well with a grilled t-bone steak.

Grape • Pinotage
Place • Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, South Africa
FYI • Proceeds from each bottle help with whale preservation.

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.

Most people don't think of New Zealand when it comes to a full-bodied red but nestled in Hawkes Bay is this world class producer of it. With complex layers of violet, black pepper, damson plum, and blackberries this red pairs well with game bird or red meat dishes.

Grape • Syrah
Place • Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
FYI • Hawkes Bay is the second largest wine region in NZ.