The Fonseca family has been in the wine business long enough to have wine-making projects in many parts of Portugal. Ripanco comes from Alentejo in the southern half of the country. Noted for its warm vineyard sites, this wine is made from 48% Syrah, 32% Aragonez (Tempranillo), and Alicante Bouschet. While Syrah is French in origin, it thrives in warm climates and along with the other two varietals provides a wine that combines rich dark and red fruit with beautifully infused spice notes. I love the fact that the wine isn’t really like anything else, but is still so easy to drink, easy to like, and easy to pair. Grilled meat would be an obvious pairing, but almost any cured sausage, and/or flavorful aged cheese would make for satisfying snacking. (Alentejo, Portugal)