The wind swept hillside these grapes are grown on is something from a Van Gogh painting. There is enough dip in evening temperatures to help keep these grapes fresh. With notes of cherry, this is a perfect pairing with roast chicken.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Languedoc, France
FYI • Pinot Noir is among those most thin-skinned grapes.

This comes from the Pays d'Oc PGI and chosen from some of the very best parcels. As a thin-skinned grape, it makes for a lightly-coloured wine with silky tannins. The Mediterranean climate allows this variety to ripen well and reveal delicate cherry aromas. Pair with oven-baked andouillettes with mustard.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Pays d'Oc, France
FYI • This region is also known as the Languedoc.

Long considered a remarkable value for the price, this red can trace this exceptionalism to the vines planted in 1950 that now provide great complexity in the grapes it produces. With opulent flavors of red and black fruit this pairs well with pizza, pulled pork, or a pastrami sandwich.

Grape • Garnacha
Place • Madrid, Spain
FYI • The wine region around Madrid is called Vinos de Madrid.

Jerusalem's wine scene has something to satisfy everyone's tastes. Wine has been produced on the hills of Jerusalem for thousands of years, making local experts in the craft. Warm days and cool nights help to promote rich, ripe and concentrated flavors of juicy plums and cherries.

Grape • Merlot
Place • Judean Hills, Israel
FYI • This area is home to a third of the countries vineyards.

Jean-Francois Coquard's family has lived in Var, located in southern France, for over one hundred years. This classic style rose is like drinking the sunshine of the Mediterranean. With notes of strawberry this pairs well with goat cheese or a Greek salad.

Grape • Grenache, Cinsault
Place • Provence, France
FYI • Var, named after the river, was created in 1790.

The history of the Bassermann-Jordan winery is one that is intertwined with the history of winemaking in Pfalz. A classic rose with aromas of red berries and some citrus zest. Very elegant on the palate with a fresh finish. This wine is ideal for summery cuisine, asparagus and salads.

Grape • Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Place • Pfalz, Germany
FYI • This winery is biodynamic since 2014.

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.

Bernard Magrez has many wines but this is at the top of their list. An easy drinking red from the start. Rich and opulent with ripe, dense plummy fruit, cassis with hints of chocolate and cedar spice. Powerful, full bodied wine with a round and mouth-filling texture. Pair with lamb or steak.

Grape • Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Bordeaux, France
FYI • This can easily cellar for another 8-10 years.

Founded in 1999 by visionary Karim Mussi, a third-generation Lebanese immigrant. Karim and his family pioneered La Consulta in the Uco Valley as a special place to make “born and raised” wines. This former top 100 Wine Spectator wine has notes of mocha, blackberry, bramble and pairs well with a grilled t-bone.

Grape • Malbec
Place • Uco Valley, Argentina
FYI • Altocedro means cedar trees.