Playlist

Costieres de Nimes region, Languedoc side, not far from the Camargues. 70% Syrah, 30% Grenache. Is it Rhone or is it Languedoc? Truthfully, who cares because it's just a great soulful Southern French quaffer. Sultry, voluptuous, peppery and packed with plum and tapenade notes. Good depth of fruit, no shortage of character. Perfect with ratatouille, burgers or lamb stew.

Piedmont, Italy. 90% Nebbiolo, 10% Vespolina. The perfect way to introduce yourself to the Nebbiolo wines of Northern Piedmont. Aromatic rose-petal, red cherry and mineral carry over into a texture that is classically put together with its firm and wiry character that exudes plenty of dark tones to bring just a hint of softness on the tail end. Serve with white meats or grilled fish.

Mendoza, Argentina. 100% Bonarda. Made by Altos Las Hormigas, the same great folks who deliver one of Argentina's yummiest Malbecs. Bonarda has been present in Argentina for generations and was brought to the country by Italians in the 19th century. Unpretentious and mouthfilling tones of nutmeg and vanilla nicely enhance this terrific, everyday value. The ultimate Argentine pizza wine!

Cigales, Spain, NW of Ribera Del Duero. 100% Tempranillo. Fruit-forward with redcurrants and raspberries plus a touch of clove spiciness. Lots of palate coverage with deceptively concentrated flavors complimented by a subtly supple, well-rounded finish. Have with grilled pork chops or a nice aged manchego.

Mt. Etna, Sicily. 85% Nerello Mascalese, 15% Nerello Mantellato. Cool, high elevation tones of black pepper, clove, red berry and smoke lead into a fresh, engaging, yet mouth-filling and dry texture that entices one to enjoy and elaborate over its merits even further. Wonderful with eggplant parmesan or meatballs.

Dao, Portugal. 45% Jaen (known as Mencia in Spain) 35% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 10% Alfrocheiro. Strawberry, mocha, and vibrant cinnamon/spice, this flavorful red wine comes across as a hypothetical blend of Rhône, Southern Italy and Spain but never loses its Portuguese roots. Stellar sausage wine.

Burgundy, France. 100% Pinot Noir. Burgundy, France. 100% Pinot Noir. Exciting aromas with fine dimension and sense of origin. Suave berry combines nicely with mineral and peat-smoke along with underlying herbs and reglise - well-crafted, relaxed and high-toned stuff. Classic French Pinot Noir with its true seductive underbelly, although this does have ample structure lurking beneath the surface which will allow it to develop for another 2-4 years. Refined, poised and simply put, one hell of a red Burgundy for under 20 bucks. Roast up a whole chicken and stuff it with a plethora of mushrooms.