The refreshing whites of northern Italy are always a hit and this is no exception! Clean and sharp with notes of tropical fruits and white acacia flowers this pairs well with a variety of lighter fare or even as a pool-side sipper.

Grape • Pinot Grigio
Place • Veneto, Italy
FYI • This region produces the most wine in Italy.

The bucolic town where these 3rd generation winemakers come from looks straight out of a medieval-town movie set. But the winery is run almost entirely on solar energy - very NOT medieval. Try this refreshing white with regional specialty Roquefort-filled prunes.

Grape • Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc
Place • Gascony, France
FYI • Gascony has a tremendous gastronomic heritage.

The Aichenberg winery was founded in 1983 by the Schachenhuber family. It encompasses around 15 hectares of vineyards around the village of Niederrußbach. Notes of apricot, lemon and apple, this wine pairs well with shellfish and seafood, fresh cheeses and spicy dishes.

Grape • Gruner Veltliner
Place • Niederosterreich, Austria
FYI • Winery named after a small area called "Aichen"

South African wines are gaining in popularity all the time. It’s in no small part due to wines like this one from Cederberg. Notes of blackberry, vanilla and spice only scratch the surface. Pairs well with game, aged cheddars and gruyere cheeses as well as with dark chocolate.

Grape • Syrah
Place • Cederberg, South Africa
FYI • Stunning rock formations and cedars abound in this area.

Now owned by Domaine Joseph Mellot, the key to this wine, like so many others is the soil. Planted on sand and gravel this delicately crafted wine is made from 35-40 year-old vines. A bright acidity with a note of lemon peel, this pairs well with oysters.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Loire Valley, France
FYI • The Mellot dynasty was founded in 1513.

A delicious wine from the first drop. This smooth crowd-pleasing cab is made from grapes sourced from three areas of Washington State. The resulting blend has notes of cassis, blackberry and chocolate. One of the few cabs you can drink on its own or by a nice campfire...or alongside a T-bone steak or grilled Portobello.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Place • Columbia Valley, WA
FYI • Columbia Valley is Washington’s largest wine region.

Founded in 2000, this family operation has excellence in mind at all times. In their words: respect the terroir, source the best fruit, strive for perfection, and embrace the elegance of the human touch. That pretty much sums it up. Look for plum, kitchen spice, and cedar. Pairs well with ribeye.

Grape • Merlot
Place • Napa Valley, California
FYI • The son, James, left the world of TV to get into wine.

This is biodynamically grown using native varietlas by siblings who are big belivers in the natural wine movement. Grown on a layer of limestone that has an immense impact on this wine. Look for rounded floral, dried herb, and stone fruit notes. Pair with soft cheeses or a crab dip.

Grape • Grillo, Insolia
Place • Sicily, Italy
FYI • “Calcis” is Latin for limestone

"In 1992, Ancien wines harvested their first two tons of Pinot Noir from four rows atop a knoll in the southwest corner of Carneros - the Napa Side. Baking spice sings in an endless symphony with wild berry notes, complemented by characteristic Carneros notes of cola." Delicious to drink all on its own.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Napa Valley, California
FYI • Ken Bernards is the winemaker and owner of Ancien.