A Good Burger Wine

Fort Ross Symposium, Sonoma, 2002 is a refreshingly interesting combination of pinotage and pinot noir grapes. On the nose of the brick-colored red wine is tobacco, spice and caramel. This smooth, smoky and nicely balanced wine paired excellently with a mesquite grilled burger.

Sherry as Apertif

For your next aperitif, try Tio Pepe Extra Dry Palomino Fino Sherry as a fun alternative to wine or Champagne. It’s nutty, bone-dry with hints of almond paste. Serve chilled with a plate of tapas — Spanish almonds, manchego, olives and gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic) if you are feeling more ambitious.

Visit Argentina Wine Country

If a trip to the wine country of Argentina is in your future, then check out The Vines of Mendoza. Located in downtown Mendoza, The Vines of Mendoza offers a collective tasting room with an emphasis on locally-produced, boutique wines with educational tastings weekly. Conveniently located adjacent to the tasting room is an information center helping guests make the most of their wine country experience with bodega, hotel and restaurant recommendations. And that dream of having your own vineyard? The Vines of Mendoza offers 3-12 acre plots of wine through their Private Vineyard Estates where owners can plant and grow grapes and bottle wine with support and guidance of expert staff members. For more information, click www.vinesofmendoza.com.