It only takes a sip of this wine, with it's delicate notes of strawberry and peach to transport one to the south of France. Hand harvested grapes that age on the lees for three months create a depth in this wine that make it food friendly. Pair with grilled fish, grilled veggies, or chevre & fresh herbs.

Grape • Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault
Place • Corbieres, France
FYI • Rubus is a large genus of plants in the rose family.

The cooler temperatures of northern Italy, where these grapes are grown, helps maintain a vibrancy in this wine. The extra time on skins helps achieve this rich color. With notes of strawberry and cherry, this pairs well with pizza.

Grape • Tai Rosso
Place • Veneto, Italy
FYI • Tai Rosso is known as Grenache in France.

Light and breezy is the personality of this wine that has aromatic notes of lemon peel and tangerine. Like a dip into a pool on a hot summer's day, this white is brisk and refreshing. Makes for a great aperitif or take on your next picnic.

Grape • Pinot Grigio
Place • Veneto, Italy
FYI • Veneto was part of the Roman Empire until the 5th Century

No stranger to the Oregon wine scene, Sarah Cabot coaxes from the cool-climate of Willamette delightful flavors. Exhibit A is this P.G. with ripe honeydew, stone fruit, and jasmine peaking around every sip. A clear winner served with cuisine with a bit of heat. Tired of cerveza with those spicy chicken tacos? Try this!

Grape • Pinot Gris
Place • Willamette Valley, Oregon
FYI • This grape gets its name from it's grayish-blue skin.

The Golan Heights has similar climactic growing conditions like Bordeaux and Tuscany. The volcanic subsoil also provides important backbone to the structure of the wines here. Notes of cherry, red berry, violets and kitchen spice. Pairs well with a cheese board.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Place • Galilee, Israel
FYI • This wine is Kosher.

Maturana Tinta is a grape variety indigenous to Rioja, but it was almost lost when it fell out of fashion and has been brought back by conservationists. This impressively deep and nascently complex bouquet of black raspberries pairs well with pulled pork.

Grape • Maturana Tina
Place • Rioja, Spain
FYI • The winemaker worked at Vega Sicilia

Germany's answer to Burgundy pinot noir is this excellent example of the varietal. the Dautel family has a grape growing history going back 500 years. With layers of complexity that include cassis, smokiness, and blackberry this is a wine that is versatile at the dinner table.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Wurttemberg, Germany
FYI • The German name for pinot noir is Spatburgunder.

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

Originally started as winery to fund a nearby hospital, today it is privately owned by a couple who purchased this 550 year-old site in 2003. The coveted First Growth grapes help produce a wine with tremendous minerality that is long-lived. Pair with cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, or Thai.

Grape • Riesling
Place • Kremstal, Austria
FYI • Grillenparz translates to "cricket hill."