This unwooded style of Viognier offers an accessible wine with ample body. The color is a brilliant green-gold and the style is dry but fruity. Pair with chicken salad.

Grape • Viognier
Place • Swartland, South Africa
FYI • Swartland is about one hour from Cape Town.

"Up front aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit, medium to light weight, Rhone wine in character; cherry fruit flavors, followed by bright acidity. Reminds one of a mythical cross between a Pinot Noir and a Cotes du Rhone." A pleasant and fun bistro red. Pair with burger or grilled mushroom.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • La Mancha, Spain
FYI • El Cortijillo means the little farm in Spanish.

Adi Badenhorst’s resume reads: awesome dude, making awesome wines. He rescued fruit being used for run-of-the-mill box wine by taking matters into his own hands. Changes in the field and at the winery helped create this gem. A true “every day of the week wine” it is easy to drink and easy to pair with. Enjoy!

Grape • Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault
Place • Swartland, South Africa
FYI • Swartland is the breadbasket of South Africa.

At the foot of the rolling vineyards of Moulin-à-Vent, just across the road from its famous namesake windmill, Domaine Diochon has been making Beaujolais the old-fashioned way since 1935. A lush, easy texture with notes of cassis, this pairs well with chicken dishes like Coq au Vin.

Grape • Gamay
Place • Burgundy, France
FYI • Moulin-à-Vent is the most full-bodied Beaujolias style.

"Boccadigabbia was once one of the “one hundred poderi,” or individual farms, that made up the Amministrazione Bonaparte of Civitanova, a vast agricultural estate. This red offers classic varietal spice, along with lovely scents of vanilla, chocolate, and wild red berries. Pairs well with Central Italian cuisine."

Grape • Montepulciano, Sangiovese
Place • Marche, Italy
FYI • Until 1960 most grapes at the vineyard were French.

A partnership between winemakers Arnaud Combier, Francois de Nicolay of Chandon de Briailles (Savigny), and Jeff Carrel, the estate delivers exceptional wines from distinct Beaujolais appellations. Captivating aromas of black fruits and roasted spices. Serve with red sauces or guinea fowl.

Grape • Gamay
Place • Beaujolais, France
FYI • Can serve this wine with a slight chill.

Paul Hobbs is behind this remarkable wine. The hand-harvested fruit that comes from the Lujan de Cuyo and Tunuyan vineyards at nearly 4000 ft is well worth the effort. Full throttle all the way, this American-oak aged wine has notes of blackberry, chocolate, and kitchen spice. Pair with a t-bone.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Place • Mendoza, Argentina
FYI • The winery uses a gravity-flow system.

"This is the flagship red blend from Tablas Creek, chosen from the best lots of four estate-grown varietals propagated from budwood cuttings from the famed Château de Beaucastel estate. With notes of spiced plum, sarsaparilla, loamy earth, and new leather. Pair with lamb stew or a beef stir fry."

Grape • Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache, Counoise
Place • Paso Robles, California
FYI • This wine is biodynamic.

This silky, elegant showing from Lirac demonstrates that the Rhone can produce approachable but firm reds in their infancy. This family operation tends to harvest with lower ripeness levels. This decision makes for a well-rounded and expressive wine. Why not try it with your next dinner featuring lamb shank?

Grape • Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan
Place • Rhone, France
FYI • Lirac is in the southernmost part of the Rhone Valley.