Made primarily with the indigenous white grape of southern Italy, Malvasia is named after Monemvasia which was a trading center and fortress in the early 1200s. With notes of beeswax, honeysuckle and apple this pairs well with fish tacos.

Grape • Malvasia, Chardonnay
Place • Puglia, Italy
FYI • Puglia is Italy's "heel of the boot."

Cultivating wine in these ancient lands goes back to the 3rd century. Today Marques makes memorable wines in a modern fashion. This expressive red is aged 6 months in American oak. Look for notes of strawberry, spice, and cocoa. Pairs well with grilled foods.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Valdepenas, Spain
FYI • Locally Tempranillo is known as Cencibel.

This is a bold and juicy red wine. Garnet, with a ruby-red rim. Aromas of mint, pencil-shavings and dark cherries followed by cassis and red-currant fruit flavours on the palate. Ends with silky tannins and a long finish. Should pair well with red meats, poultry and rosemary infused dishes.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • Many ZA wineries are still owned by Dutch families.

Jean-Charles Boisset is "wine royalty" and grew up in the business. His JCB line is a nod to the fun side of wine and this bubbly is named in honor of his birth year - 1969. With notes of strawberry and watermelon this pairs well with shrimp cocktail.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Burgundy, France
FYI • This is made in the same style as champagne.

Using a blend of little-known grapes to create a memorable red, Fran Kysela has come up with an intensely bodied wine that has nuanced characteristics of mint, black pepper, and anise. Pairs well with bbq lamb and roast vegetables.

Grape • Rubired, Durif, Shiraz
Place • South Australia, Australia
FYI • Rubired is a crossing of Tinto Cao and Alicante Ganzin.

Nestled in a monastery built in the middle ages it is located about 50 miles from the Austrian border. The native red varietal Lagrein planted around the monastery is an attempt to preserve this ancient grape. Aromas of cherry and red currant abound. Pair with pasta, mortadella or fish.

Grape • Lagrein
Place • Alto Adige, Italy
FYI • Blend of two wine making methods, bottled in Feb/March.

The amount of history surrounding the vineyards that produce the grapes for this wine go back nearly 500 years. Today the Haag family continue to excel at making the very best their microclimate has to offer. This wine is all about dry - mineral - slate. A marriage of pork and fresh herbs will do best with this.

Grape • Riesling
Place • Mosel, Germany
FYI • Braunberg means "brown mountain".

Tenimenti Leone is located in the Castelli Romani, a hilly region with volcanic origins located to the southeast of Rome. Notes of crushed rose petal, chocolate, vanilla, and berries. Try it with a classic beef steak.

Grape • Montepulciano, Syrah, Merlot
Place • Lazio, Italy
FYI • A certified organic EU vineyard.

Sebastian Zuccardi created this wine, first released in 2013, in honor of his father Jose Alberto. This expressive wine is made from grapes that grow at approximately 4,000 feet above sea level. With aromas of blackberries and herbs this wine pairs well with steak and chimichurri.

Grape • Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Uco Valley, Argentina
FYI • The Uco Valley has over 250 days of sun a year.