Chile

While País may hardly be a household wine name, viticulture in both Americas, North and South, was built on this indomitable grape. Known as Mission in the US, this was the first European grape vine planted in the United States, accompanying the Spanish Missions that settled there. Carter Mollenhauer has teased out something marvelous from this usually-rugged variety, with an opulent nose of violets and star anise, dark, ripe red fruit, and just a bit of balsamic lift, the palate is long, weighty, and subtle with the same red fruit, and a long, lightly-tannic finish.

If you'd like to honor the Chilean origins of this fabulous red, fire up the grill and cook some asado, costillar de cerdo, or a tasty choripan. It's a perfect wine for grilling season, and will pair with near-everything cooked over a flame: bratwurst with sauerkraut and mustard, fire-grilled mushrooms with goat cheese, or even a pizza will all be superb.

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