Probably no other family is as synonymous with the great wines of the Rhone Valley than Perrin. A blend from several vineyards produces this faithful workhorse wine with notes of plum, dark cherry, and anise. Pair with rosemary chicken.

Grape • Grenache, Syrah
Place • Rhone Valley, France
FYI • The famous winds in the Rhone are called the Mistral.

Maison Nicolas strives for an honest expression of each of the single varietals they work with, rarely blending. This is a classic pinot noir from southern France with rounded cherry notes that pairs perfectly with brie and a baguette.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Languedoc, France
FYI • Pinot Noir is one of the most delicate red grapes.

Every morning since 1949, the song of the rooster over their vineyards has marked the beginning of every day which is why it is featured on the label. With elegant notes of strawberries, blueberries, and violets this pairs well a brie sandwich.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Cental Valley, Chile
FYI • Cantoalba means the "dawn or morning song."

This Treixadura dominate wine comes from land once used to grow kiwis. Arsenio Paz started the transformation in the 1970's and today is well known for this wine. Highly expressive with notes of apricot, apple blossom, and honey, this pairs well with seafood, especially razor clams and Goose-neck barnacles.

Grape • Treixadura, Albarino, Godello
Place • Riberio, Spain
FYI • Ribeiro is in Galicia, Spain's NW corner.

On the other side of the equator harvesting happens in March and April. In this particular spot the cooling breezes off the Pacific Ocean help promote the ideal conditions for growing this varietal. Lots of minerality and not much in the way of citrus notes. Delicious with seafood.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Aconcagua, Chile
FYI • Three clones of Sauv Blanc are used in this wine.

Bright and a little funky like so many things out of California. This unique blend has notes of melon, underripe grapefruit and pineapple. Pairs well with papaya salad, pad thai, or a vegetable green curry.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Muscat
Place • Santa Barbara, California
FYI • The wine is made using spontaneous fermentation.

Founded in 1995 by Gary Anderson it is located in the famed Stags Leap District. Over the past decade the winery has moved to organic and sustainable practices. A powerful red with notes of "pencil shavings, cola, cherry, sweet vanilla, and toasted nuts." Pair with a grilled steak.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Napa Valley, California
FYI • As the name suggests, the winery sits below a pine ridge.

The Roblin brothers skyrocketed to the top when they secured the accolade that their 2003 release was the best white in the Loire. While they have upgraded their winery and experimented here and there, the wines are as true to their Kimmeridgian roots as ever. A superb wine best served with the finest fish.

Grape • Sauvignon Blanc
Place • Loire Valley, France
FYI • Ammonites are shellfish fossils.

The dynamic personality of Adi Badenhorst shines through each and every on of his wines. This blend of ten varietals is an achievement in complexity. With notes of citrus, peach, honeysuckle, dried herbs and pistachio it will open up over the course of an hour and reveal its many layers. Pair with pork.

Grape • Chenin Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne
Place • Swartland, South Africa
FYI • Swartland is the bread basket of South Africa