Frequently, in addition to American wines, we drink ones from the Old World as that is where winemaking began. Here, we have a medley of wines from France, Italy, Austria and Greece.

France

2021 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay ($16.99 -Safeway) - The Mâconnais is where Chardonnay originated (there is a village named Chardonnay in that region). This one from a highly respected Burgundy negociant offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and aromas of apple, white peach, citrus, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors are pure, unbaked, with notes of grape and apple skins and Mâconnais minerals. The back picks up apple and peach liqueurs and a twist of grapefruit peel on the way to a pleasingly juicy finish. 18/20 points.

2021 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages ($16.99 - Safeway) - Produced from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais is fun to drink. This version shows a purplish ruby color and ripe aromas of strawberry, cherry, blood orange, red currant, red roses, lilac and orange pekoe tea leaves. The flavors are medium bodied yet mouth filling, with red fruits that are mixed with red licorice, cola, tea and earth. The back picks up cerise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by as pleasingly juicy finish. 18/20 points.

2020 Domaine du Clos du Fief Juliénas "Tradition" ($22.99 - wine.com) - This Cru Beaujolais displays a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, red currant, plum, crushed red roses, lilac, sweet tobacco and whiffs of sweet incense. The flavors are robust, yet accessible, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cola, black tea and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine tightens up a bit, with macerated fruits, mocha and framboise and cassis liqueurs, followed by a deliciously ripe yet focused moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine des Marrans Fleurie, "Les Marrans" ($26.99 - wine.com) - This is another delightful Cru Beaujolais. It offers a deep ruby-crimson color and seductive aromas of raspberry, black currant, crushed black roses, lilac, sweet tobacco, lavender, olive, sage and sweet incense. The flavors are simultaneously lavish and well structured, with black and red fruits that are underlain with red licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast and granitic minerals. The appeal continues on the back with framboise and cassis liqueurs, mocha and toffee, followed by a ripe moderate tannin and acid finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2020 Domaine Besson Givry 1er Cru, Le Petit Prétend ($44.99 - wine.com) - This is a lovely Pinot Noir from the Côte Chalonnaise. It displays a deep ruby-crimson color and a perfumed nose of strawberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, lilac, sweet tobacco, anise, violets and sweet incense. The flavors, as well, are alluring, with lavish red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, black tea and Saone Riverside minerals. The appeal continues on the back with pressed berries, nougat, kirsch and crème de cassis liqueurs and a bit of soft charcoal on a lingering, silky moderate tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Alain Jaume Gigondas, "Terrasses de Montmirial" ($40.99 - wine.com) - From 45 year-old vines, this is an estimable South Rhone red. It displays a deep ruby-crimson color and intoxicating aromas of raspberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, pipe tobacco, lavender, olive and spiced sweet incense. The flavors are simultaneously supple and vigorous, with layers of red and blue fruits that are infused with licorice, cacao, black tea and Montmirial minerals. On the back, the wine takes a lavish turn, with framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs, nougat, lanolin and stick charcoal, followed by a spiced (nutmeg, clove) grainy yet smooth tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2020 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc ($46.99 - wine.com) - We have liked previous vintages and this is be best yet. Composed of 45% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc and 5% barrel fermented Roussanne, it displays a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, nectarine, Casaba melon, citrus, apple blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and sweet white incense. The flavors are deliciously mouth filling, with yellow fruits that are interwoven with grape and pear skins and minerals. On the back, the wine takes a dynamic turn with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of nougat and lemon custard, followed by a lingering, ultra precise fruit acid finish. 19.5/20 points.

2020 Famille Perrin Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc, "Les Sinards" ($42.99 - wine.com) - Not much white CdP is produced and this is a real find. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and a highly aromatic nose of Bosc pear, white peach, pineapple, citrus, pear tree blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and whiffs of white incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with intermixtures of yellow fruits, grape and pear skins, peach stones and minerals. On the back, the wine takes both crisp and viscous turns, with poire and pêche liqueurs and lemon custard, followed by a bright, juicy finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Famille Perrin Châteauneuf de Pape, "Les Sinards" ($45.99 - wine.com) - Aged in 50% stainless steel and 50% oak, this offers a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of raspberry, blueberry, black currant, crushed roses, mulberry, pipe tobacco, lavender, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and mas minerals. The back reveals pressed berries, roasted nuts and framboise and cassis liqueurs, followed by s thick, generous yet focused finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf du Pape, Cuvée Speciale, "Les Hauts Brusquières" ($79.99 - wine.com) - This is a stellar CdP. It exhibits a brilliant ruby-crimson color and intoxicating aromas of fraises de bois, mure, cassis noir, blood orange, crushed back roses, tobacco leaf, lavender, sandalwood, olive tapenade and spiced oriental incense. The flavors are simultaneously bold and velvety, with layers of red and black fruits that are infused with black licorice, Swiss chocolate, French roses and high elevation old vines minerals. On the back, the wine takes a lavish turn with fraise and crème de cassis liqueurs and orange peel, all followed seamlessly by a lingering spiced (nutmeg, clove) ripe finish, marked by precise tannins and fruit acids. 19.5/20 points.

Italy

2021 Cantina Zaccagmini Pinot Grigio, Colline Pescari ($19.98 - Super 1) - This is quite a cut above the usual Pinot Grigio. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of green pear, Casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, white lilac, lemongrass and yellow incense. The flavors are brisk and lively, with yellow and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with gently pressed fruits and touches of nougat, melon rind and grapefruit peel, followed by a juicy fruit acid lifted finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti, "Le Orme" ($26.99 - Safeway) - Deep ruby colored, this wine emits rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, brambly currant, black roses, tobacco, black olive and stick incense. The flavors are robust, yet well rounded, with generous red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cola, Italian roast and hillside earth. The back picks up macerated berries, roasted hazelnuts and tart cherries (a trait of Barbera) followed by a savory moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

Austria

2020 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner "Federspiel" ($20.99 - Safeway) - Brilliant lemon-gold colored, this emits intriguing aromas of green pear, Casaba melon, lemon custard, pear blossoms, pea flowers, fennel and lightly spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting with yellow and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins, melon rind and minerals. The back picks up pear liqueur, hazelnut and a touch of lemon custard on the way to a dry ("trocken") finish. 18.5/20 points.

Greece

2021 Gaia "14 - 18" Agiorgitiko Rosé ($18.99 - wine.com) - Agiorgitiko is the principal red grape of the Peleponese and, here, made into a Rosé with 14 to 18 sous skin contact. It shows a brilliant copper color and lovely aromas of wild strawberry, pomegranate, red currant, orange, red roses Grecian lavender and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with strawberry and currant liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a dry, finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.