The Troupis family has been farming since the 1970s, growing fruit trees, flowers and grapes. Back then, the grapes were used to make their personal supply of wine and anything remaining was sold off. It wasn't until 2010 that they decided to devote all their energy to winemaking, upgrading their facilities and equipment and eventually becoming a name to know in the ever evolving Greek wine industry. Their winery is situated in the Fteri ("fern") region of the Mantinia plateau at an altitude of 700m. This location has a microclimate particularly well suited to the native varieties moschofilero (their most planted grape) and agiorgitiko (pronounced aye-yore-yee-tee-ko). Troupis "Fteri Agiorgitiko" is a fruit-forward red with notes of pomegranate, caramel and spice along with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity. It's food-friendly but if you're making braised meat in tomato sauce this would be the way to go. Best enjoyed with a light chill.

Faillenc Sainte-Marie is a small family estate in the southern Languedoc appellation of Corbières. Their eight hectares of old head-trained vines are situated among rocky limestone foothills between the old towns of Carcassonne and Narbonne. Winds from the northwest and the south face off in a rugged Mediterranean climate where only vines and olives can really thrive. The resulting low yields give concentrated, complex grapes to vigneron Jean-Baptiste Gibert, who took over the work from his parents years ago and underwent the process to gain organic certification. The wines have consistently over delivered and this particular cuvée has been a favorite for years. Powerful, but restrained, it’s a field blend of syrah, grenache, and cinsault with an untamed edge reflecting the wild, inhospitable terroir. Lamb meatballs would be a perfect pairing.