The Penedes region is Spain’s bubble capital. Producing sparkling wine in the same manner as champagne but often at a fraction of the price it is synonymous with great value. This is a lovely example of cava with notes of minerality and Granny Smith apples. Have with Sunday brunch of course.

Grape • Xarello, Macabeo, Parellada
Place • Penedes, Spain
FYI • Spain is the second largest producer of sparkling wine.

Adi Badenhorst’s resume reads: awesome dude, making awesome wines. He rescued fruit being used for run-of-the-mill box wine by taking matters into his own hands. Changes in the field and at the winery helped create this gem. A true “every day of the week wine” it is easy to drink and easy to pair with. Enjoy!

Grape • Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault
Place • Swartland, South Africa
FYI • Swartland is the breadbasket of South Africa.

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.

Expressive color, expressive nose, expressive flavor. EXPRESSIVE! This explosive rose comes from a relatively obscure appellation: Coteaux du Giennois. A young estate, built in 1983, the family approaches wine making with a youthful spirit. Delicious notes of cherry and watermelon. Pairs well with sushi.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Loire Valley, France
FYI • Coteaux du Giennois is just north of famed Pouilly Fume.

South Africa has a rich history celebrating the barbecue, to the point it is celebrated every September 24th. These grapes are mostly from the coveted Stellenbosch region. With notes of bramble, cassis, chocolate, and smoke, it should come as no surprise this is great with items off the grill.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • In South Africa, an outdoor BBQ grill is called a Braai.

The wines of this region are often aged in American oak to help mellow out the tanins. This vineyard however produces a more feminine style tempranillo. The resulting use of 2 year-old French barrels seals the deal with elegant notes of cassis that pair perfectly with slow roasted pork shoulder.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • Madrid is about 3 hours south of Rioja.

Jeff Runquist loves to champion unique varietals that are usually found in blends but have their own inherent complexity. Grown on an exceptional parcel of land in northern California, this wine exudes jammy notes of blackberry with a bit of dill and black pepper. Pair with a Sunday pot roast.

Grape • Petit Verdot
Place • Amador County, California
FYI • Amador County is just east of Sacramento.

This estate is one of Austria’s oldest. This complex wine is interactive. It settles so the top 1/3, if poured carefully, is clear, the flavor delicate. Then shake the bottle, as the winery encourages, to create a brioche-like wine. Pairs nicely with fish dishes.

Grape • Gruner Veltliner
Place • Wachau, Austria
FYI • One of the oldest bio-dynamic vineyards in the world.

In an attempt to make a New Zealand sauvignon blanc like no other, the Giesen brothers experimented with oak treatment for a number of years. The result is this complex white that exudes layers of fennel, hay, yeast, and nectarine. Pair with grilled swordfish and caponata.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Marlborough, New Zealand
FYI • Named after their grandfather, August, a sommelier.