"This special project from the Adega Ponte de Lima highlights the diverse soils of the Vinho Verde region. Made from 100% Loureiro grapes, both the Granite and Schist varieties boast a crisp acidity and expressive minerality. Pair with white meat or fish."

Grape • Lourerio
Place • Vinho Verde, Portugal
FYI • The winery was founded in 1959.

Spending four months in oak barrels gives this red the extra structure that makes it so delicious. These grapes are indigenous to Portugal and the backbone of their table wine production. Aromatic and well balanced with hints of blueberry and vanilla this pairs well with marinated flank steak.

Grape • Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez
Place • Alentejo, Portugal
FYI • Alentejo means "beyond the Tagus river."

Refreshing, clean, and with a quick finish. This varietaly-perfect showing has floral notes, especially that of acacia flowers. Served chilled as a perfect aperitif wine or with caprese salad.

Grape • Pinot Grigio
Place • Molise, Italy
FYI • Molise is located in south-central Italy.

Made from the younger grapes in the vineyard, this extremely approachable red is an example of what this house is capable of. The wife and husband duo behind this 1984 founded winery are brilliant. Notes of cola, kitchen spice, plum, and licorice allow this to pair well with spice rubbed chicken or Bolognese.

Grape • Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Tuscany, Italy
FYI • Their wines enjoy cult like status.

Founded in 2011 by acclaimed Malbec visionary, Paul Hobbs and 4th generation Malbec de Cahors producer, Bertrand Gabriel Vigouroux, Crocus wines are a quest to redefine Malbec in its birthplace. Notes of fig, currant, and black pepper. Pair with cassoulet.

Grape • Malbec
Place • Cahors, France
FYI • Named for the flower, grown in the region since 1300’s.

The winery, founded in astonishingly recent 2000, is tucked away inside an ancient courtyard in Gattinara. Part of the secret to these wines lie in the volcanic iron rich soils. Intentionally built as a lighter red with notes of cooked blackberry, violets and kitchen spice. Try with grilled sausages or cured meats.

Grape • Vespolina, Croatina, Nebbiolo
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Another big biz here is nutty: chestnuts & hazelnuts.

Dave Miner opened his eponymous winery in the mid 1990's setting up shop in Napa. While waiting for his new plantings to grow he fell into an opportunity to make viognier from Paso. The rest is history with this now famous white. Rich, oily, and complex pair with seared tuna and mango and papaya salad.

Grape • Viognier
Place • Napa, California
FYI • Dave's uncle was the co-founder of Oracle.

Coppo has managed the Tenuta La Rocca in Monterotondo in the town of Gavi since the mid-1980s. Gavi, a classic, white Piedmontese wine, is made entirely from the Cortese grape, one of the region’s oldest native varieties. Notes of peach, orange skin and minearlity. Pairs well with swordfish.

Grape • Cortese
Place • Piedmont, Italy
FYI • Cortese comes from the word corte or "court"

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.