Without question one Italy's most important red grapes, and 100% Sicily's most important one. An intense bouquet of pomegranate and black currant with notes of forest fruit black pepper. A great food wine, pair with pork ribs.

Grape • Nero D'Avola
Place • Sicily, Italy
FYI • Known as "The Black Grape of Avola."

Despite the grape being associated with white wine production, the skin does have enough pigment to produce a rose. With a floral aroma and flavors of red currant and raspberry on the palate, this wine is great as an aperitif or paired with grilled fish.

Grape • Pinot Grigio
Place • Sicily, Italy
FYI • Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The flavor is as enticing as the color. The fermentation process on this rose produces a low-alcohol wine with a touch of spritz that has strawberry aromatics. It is perfect for serving as an aperitif or alongside light starters.

Grape • Vinho, Espadeiro Tinto, Borrasal
Place • Vinho Verde, Portugal
FYI • Praia means beach in Portugese.

Santiago Reta is the man behind the Rhône-infused, garagiste label Finca La Escarcha. Encubierto, the newest addition to the La Escarcha lineup, was inspired by the mischievous old fox that wanders the vineyards. A Rhone blend from Argentina is a rare find! Notes of peach and acacia. Pair with chicken.

Grape • Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier
Place • Mendoza, Argentina
FYI • The winery was designed by the winemaker's wife.

Named for the summer solstice, the grapes are harvested in the cool morning hours before the notorious heat of the region warms the fruit up. Served as an aperitif this captures the spirit of summer with notes of strawberry and peach.

Grape • Grenache, Cinsault, Caladoc
Place • Provence, France
FYI • Caladoc is a crossing of Grenache and Malbec.

Quite possibly the best expression of Tannat in the world. This grape is often associated with being too tannic and aggressive. With the careful touch from Garzon and the use of some French oak, the result is remarkable. With notes of ripe blackberry and cherry this pairs well with marinated beef tips.

Grape • Tannat
Place • Maldonado, Uruguay
FYI • Uruguay grows more Tannat than any other country.

"Founded in 1947, this cooperative has some 1,200 grower-members, giving winemaker Nikos Varvarigos access to a wide variety of terroirs. For this cuvee, he prioritized fruit from Pirgos and Imerovigli, two of the highest points on the island, where the grapes ripen more slowly." Pairs well with meaty fish.

Grape • Assyrtiko
Place • Santorini, Greece
FYI • The beaches of Santorini are made of black sand.

"René Barbier led the original Priorat movement, proving that exciting and unique fine wines could be made in this forgotten corner of Spanish Catalonia. This wine has a light orange peel fragrance along with red berries." Pairs well with Botifarra amb Mongetes, a Catalonian white bean and sausage dish.

Grape • Grenache
Place • Catalonia, Spain
FYI • Com Tu translates to "like you" in English.

Wisconsin natives Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel left cushy jobs to follow their dreams and start a winery - this winery -in - 2003. This is a perfect example of a Washington sate red built for the here and now. Notes of plum, cherry, and tobacco this pairs well with a steak fajita.

Grape • Syrah
Place • Columbia Valley, WA
FYI • This was originally intended for restaurants only.