This isn’t your uncle’s pinotage (a grape unique to South Africa) and it’s easy to convince you with this one. Subtle notes of cherry, spice, and a touch of smoke offer up a seductive drinking experience that will put a smile on your face. Give it a try with marinated lamb or an Indian curry.

Grape • Pinotage
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • Named after the blue crane, South Africa’s national bird.

Founded in 1993 the wines from this estate are always known for their approachability. Stainless steel production is a principle reason that this is such a super-easy drinking cab. With notes of black pepper and tobacco this pairs well with items off the grill...including sea bass.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Central Valley, Chile
FYI • This fertile valley extends for nearly 400 miles.

Regaleali is at the heart of the families estate where they produce this great sipping wine that is alive with easy-to-drink citrus notes. Located in the mountainous center of Sicily, people flock here to learn in one of Italy's best cooking schools. Pairs well with Pecorino cheese or a dish featuring tomato and eggplant.

Grape • Inzolia, Grecanico, Catarrtto, Chardonnay
Place • Sicily, Italy
FYI • Home to an internationally renown cooking school.

The beautiful setting where this wine comes from is reflected in the bottle. Produced by the Pala family from a varietal found almost entirely on Sardinia it is made using stainless steel and concrete tanks. It has an attractive violet color with notes of licorice. Pairs well with meaty dishes and fatty fish.

Grape • Monica
Place • Serdiana, Sardinia
FYI • Sardinia is the Mediterranean's second largest island.

Just to the north of Rioja and not all that far from the French border is Spain’s Navarra region. The soil here is just right for coaxing the perfect amount of ripeness out of this grape. Ripe, fruity and fun, pair this at your next casual affair with grilled Portobello, hamburgers or pulled pork.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Ribera Baja, Spain
FYI • This was Spain’s most important wine region in the 1700s.

An elegant introduction into the Pecchenino line of dolcettos. This sometimes-finicky grape gets just the right soil type and exposure to promote the plum, currant and blackberry notes of the wine. This is a very food friendly red. Consider pairing it with charcuterie, pastas or pork dishes.

Grape • Dolcetto
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Piedmont is also known for hazelnuts.

The vineyard Martinenga is one of the most treasured sites in Piedmont. It sits in the heart of Barbaresco and has idyllic soil and sun exposure conditions. Elegant, graceful, memorable. This "Lady In Red" is full of plums, violets, licorice, and a hint of earth. Pairs extremely well with game birds.

Grape • Nebbiolo
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Piedmont means "at the foot of the mountains."

Jean-Charles runs this domaine and is a believer in all things biodynamic. Whatever is takes to make his grapes happy in the pristine vineyard he is all about - including driving loud speakers through the vineyards playing Corsican polyphonic songs. With notes of tropical fruit and bright acid it pairs well with cheese.

Grape • Vermentino
Place • Ajaccio, Corsica
FYI • Napoleon Bonaparte was born here.

Ch. Segries, which in provencal means "water spring," is a favorite of critics and wine aficionados alike. As you can imagine there is lots of history here. What to take away from this wine is it's overwhelming deliciousness. Layers of cherry, strawberry, and fresh flowers pair beautifully with spicy cuisine.

Grape • Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, Syrah
Place • Rhone, France
FYI • Tavel is the only AOC to produce entirely rosé wines.