Latin America

Aborigen Ácrata Portada 2018 (Valle de Gualalupe, Mexico)

  • 50% Grenache, 44% Carignan, 6% Durif
  • Family-owned winery, founded in 2000 in Baja California
  • Baja California, Mexico’s primary wine region, is experiencing rapid growth. It lies just south of California and enjoys a Mediterranean climate, similar to Napa and the Southern Rhone.
  • Valle de Guadalupe, the northernmost subregion, is home to the vast majority of Baja’s wineries.
  • Tasting Notes: Blackberries and plums, with a bit of green bramble thrown into the mix
  • Pairing Suggestions: Beef tacos, flautas, mole enchiladas, or other bold and savory Mexican dishes
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Chateauneuf du Pape or Priorat

Pedro Parra Pencopolitano 2018 (Itata, Chile)

  • 67% Cinsault, 33% País
  • Winemaker Pedro Parra has a PhD in terroir. He has spent 15 years working in vineyards around the world and now works in his native Chile to elevate lesser-known regions
  • Itata is a cool-climate region in the south of Chile’s winemaking zone traditionally producing wine mostly for domestic consumption
  • País is a grape originally planted by Spanish missionaries (in California it’s called “Mission”), and is now enjoying a huge comeback among natural wine producers
  • Tasting Notes: Smoky, earthly, and deeply savory, with a some tart cherry and raspberry
  • Pairing Suggestions: Empanadas, grilled kebabs, or pizza
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Beaujolais, rustic Italian reds

Garzón Tannat Reserva 2019 – (Maldonado Coast, Uruguay)

  • 100% Tannat—a French grape that today has been adopted as the signature red variety of Uruguay
  • Uruguay’s wine industry was established in the late 19th century by Basque and Italian immigrants
  • Made by the first sustainable, LEED-certified winery located outside of North America
  • Whereas most Uruguayan wineries are found closer to Montevideo, Garzón was the first to pioneer winegrowing on the Maldonado Coast—“the Hamptons of South America”
  • Founded by Argentine billionaire Alejandro Bulgheroni, who has become a respected winery proprietor with projects across several continents
  • Tasting Notes: A powerful, inky red wine, the wine leads with liqueur-like blueberry, blackberry, and plum notes, nuanced by notes of leather and earth.
  • Pairing Suggestions: This rich wine can stand up to heavier meat dishes. Drink like the Uruguayans would—with beef empanadas or asado—typical South American barbeque.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Napa Valley Cabernet

Southern Italy

Coppi Primitivo Senatore 2017 (Gioia del Colle, Puglia, Italy)

  • 100% Primitivo—a variety that is better known as Zinfandel in California, where it has earned the moniker “America’s Grape.” In actuality it is neither American nor Italian in origin, but is instead indigenous to Croatia
  • Grown in Puglia, “the heel of the boot,” where the long, narrow peninsula and sunny, southerly climate provide for unique growing conditions
  • Gioia del Colle is one of Italy’s two most famous regions for Primitivo, along with Manduria. It is considered the more elegant and finessed of the two
  • Coppi is among Puglia’s top wine producers, founded in 1882, with this bottle earning the coveted Tre Bicchieri award by Gambero Rosso
  • Tasting Notes: Bold and juicy, the wine balances sweet and sour red currant, Bing cherry, and pomegranates notes with sweet spice and raisin flavors
  • Pairing Suggestions: This is the perfect grilling wine, to be served with hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs, as well as spicy pasta dishes, such as the Puglian specialty spaghetti all’assassina
  • You’ll love this if you also love: California Zinfandel

COS Frappato 2020 (Sicily, Italy)

  • 100% Frappato—one of Sicily’s leading red grape varieties that can often be served with a slight chill
  • One of the leading producers of the appellation Cerasuolo di Vittoria, COS is an acronym for its three founders Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano, who established the winery in 1980
  • The squat bottle modeled after an old bottle they found on property
  • The winery is certified organic, and also incorporates several biodynamic practices
  • Tasting Notes: The quintessential summer red, the wine tastes of bright cherry, raspberry, and sour plum with notes of lavender and violet.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy alongside light pasta dishes, Caprese salad, and pizza.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, and other light reds

Graci Etna Bianco 2020 (Etna, Sicily, Italy)

  • 70% Carricante, 30% Catarratto, native white grape varieties of Sicily
  • The Graci vineyards are planted on the northern slopes of Mt. Etna, the legendary volcano of Sicily.
  • Graci only grows grape varieties native to Sicily, and the vines are interspersed with olive and apple trees.
  • Organic vineyards; herbicides are never used in an effort to respect and preserve the diverse fauna and flora of the island.
  • Winemaker Alberto Graci was a young investment banker in Milan, who returned home to Sicily after the death of his grandfather in 2004. He has since become one of Sicily’s most celebrated winemakers and is driven by his core philosophy of preserving Sicily’s heirloom grapes and winemaking traditions.
  • Tasting Notes: Fresh and lively notes of sea spray, fennel, dried herbs, with a mineral quality we’d like to think comes from the volcanic soils these vines are planted in. Above all else, the driving standout flavor here is citrus, with the satisfying sweet tartness of a lemon picked fresh off the tree.
  • Pairing Suggestions: A truly versatile wine, this would be excellent with crab cakes or tinned fish on the lighter side,but has enough verve to stand up to a cassoulet or a creamy risotto.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: White Burgundy

Balkan Wines

Stobi Vranec 2020 (Tikveš, North Macedonia)

  • 100% Vranec—literally “black stallion”—a red grape indigenous to the Balkans, and the primary native red variety produced in North Macedonia
  • Stobi Winery is named for the nearby Stobiarcheological site; this ancient city is impeccably preserved and continues to be actively excavated by archeologists each summer. Visitors can still find ancient wine vessels among the ruins here.
  • Grapes grown on the same slopes where ancient Romans grew their wine grapes for the Stobi municipality.
  • Located within the region of Tikveš, the most important wine region in North Macedonia; the Tikveš region was once the largest producer of wine for greater
  • Stobi Winery winemaker, Anton, is the first Macedonian to have studied winemaking in France, where he practiced his craft in Burgundy and the Loire Valley
  • Grapes are farmed sustainably and are all hand-harvested by local workers
  • Tasting Notes: Notes of blackberry, cherry tobacco, and chocolate, the rich flavors of Vranec live up to its “black stallion” moniker.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Best paired with bold foods, such as barbeque, braised lamb, sheep cheeses, or roasted mushrooms.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: California Merlot and Bordeaux blends

Stobi Muscat-Temjanika 2020 (Tikveš, North Macedonia)

  • 80% Muscat Ottonel; 20% Temjanika
  • Drink like a North Macedonian! Temjanika and Temjanika blends, like this one, are the most popular white wine among the residents of North Macedonia themselves and make for a perfect warm-weather sipper.
  • Stobi Winery is named for the nearby Stobiarcheological site; this ancient city is impeccably preserved and continues to be actively excavated by archeologists each summer. Visitors can still find ancient wine vessels among the ruins here.
  • Grapes grown on the same slopes where ancient Romans grew their wine grapes for the Stobi municipality.
  • Located within the region of Tikveš, the most important wine region in North Macedonia; the Tikveš region was once the largest producer of wine for greater
  • Stobi Winery winemaker, Anton, is the first Macedonian to have studied winemaking in France, where he practiced his craft in Burgundy and the Loire Valley
  • Grapes are farmed sustainably and are hand-harvested and hand-sorted by local workers
  • Tasting Notes: A perfume of white flowers on the nose gives way to a palate bursting with tropical fruit and crisp minerality, and unexpectedly finishes with a long-lasting finish of ripe pear.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Pair this wine with a picnic or a beach day. You can’t go wrong with a cheese board, lobster roll, or summer salad.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato

Zlatan Plavac Mali Sibenik Vineyard 2015 (Dalmatian Coast, Croatia)

  • 100% Plavac Mali
  • Located in Dalmatia, along the southwestern coast of Croatia, the Zlatan vineyards and winery were founded by a village fisherman in 1986.
  • Plavac Mali is the most important red grape of the Dalmatia region. Its name describes the grape bunches and literally translates to “small blue.” (Plavo=blue; mali=small)
  • Winemaker Zlatan Plenkovic has been consistently recognized as one of the best winemakers in Croatia since the winery’s founding; his mission is to focus exclusively on native Croatian grape varieties and raise the bar of quality to achieve international acclaim for his country.
  • Vines were first planted along this hilly coastline in the 16th century by Augustinian monks.
  • Grapes farmed organically and fermented with ambient yeast
  • Tasting Notes: A ripe, Mediterranean treat, this medium-bodied wine is full of sun-baked fruit aromas like prunes and dried cherries. Its fine tannins and peppery spice add a little intrigue and further enhance the wine’s richness.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Serve with a red sauce ragu, or anything with a little char: steak, rack of lamb, grilled veggies, or brick-oven pizza.
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote du Rhone, California Syrah

Durić Severna Morava 2019 – (Fruška Gora, Serbia)

  • 100% Morava
  • Grape variety native to Serbia, specifically bred to be resistant to cold winters
  • Winery located in Serbia’s oldest national park, in the foothills of the Fruška gora mountain; Fruška gora is often referred to as the “Jewel of Serbia”
  • The slopes of the mountain were established as Serbia’s most prestigious vineyards in the 15th century
  • A prized dessert wine grown in this same region (bermet) was served aboard the Titanic
  • The Durić winery is home to one of Serbia’s only wine schools, where they concentrate on educating wine professionals and consumers alike on the native grapes and wines of Serbia.
  • Tasting Notes: Bursting with citrus and stone fruit, you may notice notes of peach, apricot, lime and orange peel, accompanied by a fresh, slightly floral aroma and a hint of fresh herbs on the finish.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Cesar salad, goat cheese and onion tart, ratatouille
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc

Misc. Wine Regions

Raúl Pérez Ultreia Saint Jacques 2018 (Bierzo, Spain)

  • Predominately Mencía—the celebrated red grape of northwestern Spain
  • Grown in Bierzo, a region first settled by the ancient Romans who discovered gold in the area
  • Pilgrims performing the Camino de Santiago often pass through the region on their way to Galicia
  • Raúl Pérez was a critical player in modernizing Bierzo’s wine industry and bringing it global attention. Establishing his label in 1994, he also lent winery space early on to what are today several other of the region’s great producers
  • Pérez practices organic farming
  • Tasting Notes: With the potential to be served chilled, the wine demonstrates flavors of dusted plum, rose petal, and spice, grounded by a soft, velvety tannic structure.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Lighter red meat dishes, semi-hard cheeses—such as manchego, and Jamón Serrano
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or the Frappato over at the Italy table

Skouras Moscofilero 2021 (Arcadia, Greece)

  • 100% Moscofilero
  • Drink like you’re island hopping in Greece! Moscofilero is one of the most popular summer wines served in a carafe at nearly every restaurant on Greek islands.
  • George Skouras was born in Argos, a town with three millennia of winemaking history, and studied agriculture in Burgundy
  • Domaine Skouras is located in the Peloponnese, a peninsula south-west of Athens
  • Focuses on indigenous varietals to the region, such as this Moscofilero, which was made with a little skin contact
  • Tasting Notes: Fresh orange blossom, honeysuckle, and a hint of brine on the nose, with juicy citrus and a bit of grippy texture from the skin contact
  • Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy with white fish, light salads, fruit or other delicate flavors
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, or the North Macecdonian Muscat-Temjanika over at the Balkans table

 Royal Tokaji Company Dry Furmint The Oddity (Tokaj, Hungary)

  • 100% Furmint
  • Tokaji is a Hungarian region that created the world’s first grapes made from “noble rot,” a process that yields particularly sweet dessert wines
  • Tokaji was enjoyed throughout history by leaders like Louis XIV, the “Sun King” of France, and Catherine the Great of Russia
  • Royal Tokaji Company has won over 100 awards and led the world-wide renaissance of Tokaji, including the popularization of dry wines such as this one
  • Tasting Notes: White peaches, tart apricots, with a racy throughline and a round, creamy texture
  • Pairing Suggestions: Vietnamese banh mi, Thai curries, roasted chicken, or grilled salmon
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Chenin Blanc (like Vouvray or

Hermann Wiemer Dry Rosé 2021 (Finger Lakes, New York, USA)

  • 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Cabernet Franc
  • Hermann Wiemer was born to a winemaking family in Germany’s famous Mosel region
  • Noting the similarities between the cool climate in the Finger Lakes in upstate New York and that of his native Germany, Wiemer saw the potential in the region and founded his own winery upstate
  • Wiemer has been one of the most important figures putting the Finger Lakes winemaking region on the map
  • Tasting notes: Watermelon and underripe strawberry, with crisp notes of tart cranberry and a touch of fresh herbs
  • Pairing suggestions: A summer day; enjoy on its own as an aperitif or with a light salad
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Rosé Sancerre or light, chillable reds

Glekhuri Kisi Qvevri (Kakheti, Georgia)

  • 100% Kisi
  • What is an “orange wine”? A wine made from white grapes but fermented with its skins, creating an amber or orange color. (Usually in white winemaking, grape skins are discarded much earlier in the process).
  • This wine was aged underground! In this ancient technique, wines are put into large clay amphora called called “qvevri” and buried underground for months to age.
  • Temuri Dakishvili is a fourth-generation winemaker in Kakheti, focusing on native Georgian grape varietals
  • The family has been growing, fermenting, bottling and aging wine on their estate for over a hundred years
  • Tasting Notes: Lightly roasted nuts, sweet spices, a fresh acidity, and a bit of tannin from the skin contact
  • Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy with curries or other delicately spiced foods
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Other wines a little on the funky side!

Tbilvino Saperavi Georgian Valleys (Kakheti, Georgia)

  • 100% Saperavi
  • Tbilvino uses a blend of traditional Georgian methods and European technology to produce 29 types of wine each year
  • Brothers Zurab and Giorgi Margvelashvili lead the company with the goal of boosting Georgian wine on the international market
  • Wine has been in the Kakheti region for 8,000 years, and many winemakers use ancient winemaking methods with little intervention
  • Tasting Notes: Plum, red currant, spice, and cedar cigar box
  • Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy with steak, kebabs, burgers or other rich, savory dishes
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Cabernet or ripe Bordeaux blends

Chateau Musar Jeune 2019 (Bekaa Valley, Lebanon)

  • 50% Cinsault, 35% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon—an unusual blend of Rhône and Bordeaux grape varieties that perform well in Lebanon
  • Made by Lebanon’s most prestigious producer, putting the country on the global wine map in the 1970s
  • Grown in the Bekaa Valley, where winemaking has been celebrated since ancient Phoenicia and the Roman Empire
  • One of a mere four producers operating in Lebanon at the outbreak of Civil War in 1975, during which the Hochar family famously refused to leave their winery
  • Lebanon’s first certified organic winery, recognized for low-intervention winemaking ageworthy wines
  • Tasting Notes: A youthful, but robust red wine, with brambly, ripe fruit flavors of blackberry, pomegranate, and plum. More savory tones of rosemary, thyme, leather, and game add complexity, underscored by a dusty tannic structure.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy alongside hearty red meats, such as steak, hamburgers, or kofta, the traditional meatballs enjoyed in Lebanon. Vegetarian pairings include stuffed peppers and smoky eggplant dishes
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other Rhône blends

Tsiakkas Xynisteri 2020 (Cyprus)

  • 100% Xynisteri—the great white grape of Cyprus historically used to make Commandaria (make sure to visit the dessert table!), but today also celebrated for its ageworthy dry wines
  • Made by one of Cyprus’ most celebrated producers of the 21st century, who have championed the resurrection of indigenous grape varieties for the country’s modern wine industry
  • The grapes are organically farmed and harvested by hand in higher elevation sites of the Troodos Mountains, evading the humidity that afflicts vineyards nearer to the coastline
  • A small artisan winery owned and operated by the Tsiakkas family, with two generations working on site today
  • Tasting Notes: Snappy and fresh, the wine tastes of lime zest, green apples, and grapefruit, with a salty, sea spray bite on the finish.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Drink alongside freshly shucked oysters, lighter seafood dishes, green salads, and halloumi—the traditional, salty Cypriot cheese
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Sancerre, Albariño, Pinot Grigio, and other crisp whites

KEO Commandaria St. John NV (Commandaria, Cyprus)

  • Xynesteri and Mavro—the two traditional grapes, native to Cyprus, used to make Commandaria
  • Commandaria is the world’s oldest continually produced named wine, believed to have been made for 5,500 years
  • Its production method is almost identical today to what was described in Hesiod’s Works and Days in 800 BCE
  • The grapes are left to dry out and raisinate in the sun for approximately 10 to 14 days before being fermented
  • The name “Commandaria” derives from the “commandaries,” or districts established by the Knights Templar, who rediscovered this ancient dessert wine during the Crusades
  • KEO is Cyprus’ most famous cooperative winery and the best-known producers of Commandaria
  • Tastings Notes: A rich, hedonistic sweet wine that tastes of raisins, honey, dried figs, along with more savory tones of rosemary and pine sap.
  • Pairing Suggestions: Honey-soaked Levantine pastries, such as baklava; halloumi, the traditional, salty Cypriot cheese; or just by itself
  • You’ll love this if you also love: Tawny Port, Cream Sherry, Madeira, or Vin Santo