Merlot
Produces nicely colored deep wines, rich and flavorful.  Merlot lacks the body of a Cabernet, it  is a crucial component to many Bordeaux wines; Smoothness is the key to a good Merlot. Merlot can be light to heavy bodied having nice berry flavors, some have heavier tannins which will add to age ability. A Merlot would go well with chicken, dishes, mild and creamy cheeses, as well as lamb, steaks, and pork.
Recommended Producers : Bogle, Raymond Estates, Lindemans, & Meridian

Cabernet Sauvignon
A full bodied red wine, the classic variety for red bordeaux wines;  considered to be the king of red wines. One of our biggest Red wines capable of great age ability, up to 20-30 years in some cases.  Common flavors will be cassis, blackberry, earthy flavors, oak and even tabacco. Cabernets will go well with roasts, grilled steaks, lamb, and other meat dishes.
Recommended Producers : Beringer, B.R. Cohn, Diamond Creek, and Robert Mondavi.

Chardonnay
If Cabernet Sauvignon is the king of grapes then Chardonnay is certainly the queen, it is responsible for some of the greatest white Burgundies as well as some of the best Champagnes. Chardonnay has a bouquet of green apples, buttery flavors, sometimes with oak (if more expensive).  Your more expensive Chardonnay will age for up to 3-5 years from vintage and will improve with some aging but as a whole they are meant for immediate consumption.
Good Producers : Hess Select, Columbia Crest, Parducci, Meridian, Kendall-Jackson, Landmark, and Beringer.

Pinot Noir
A medium bodied red wine that is a bit more supple than that of a Cabernet or Merlot.  Pinot Noir is the primary grape for red Burgundy. Typical flavors of a Pinot Noir are raspberries and lighter berries.  Most Pinot Noir is light bodied, with higher quality Pinot having a little more body and more age ability.
Pinot Noir will go well with pork, veal, chicken, and ripe cheeses.
Recommended  Producers :  Acacia, Chalone, Cuvaison, and King Estates.

Zinfandel
Prime grape of southern Italy, used widely in California to produce blush wines to big robust red wines.
Full bodied, rich with spicy tones and some peppery notes.  It has big, ripe, rich fruits and red berry tastes.  Zinfandel normally has a higher alcohol content than most wines, sometimes reaching 15% alcohol. Zinfandels go well with pizza, steaks, Italian dishes, pork, stews, and chili.
Recommended  Producers : Ridge, Seghesio, Cline, & Alexander Valley

Syrah or Shiraz
Used widely in the Rhone Valley, had roots that date back to 600 B.C. in Persia. This is a full bodied red wine with a peppery bouquet and slight earthiness on the taste. A Syrah or Shiraz goes well with grilled meats, hearty stews, or ripe cheeses.
Recommended Producers : Rosemount Estate, Penfolds, & Yalumba.

Gamay
Made famous from Beaujolais, drinks well young not meant to age. Light, fruity,  having a nice floral aroma.  This is a great wine for beginners - nice fruit, very mild, and a lighter bodied. Goes well with chicken, ham, and is also perfect by itself.
Recommended  Producers : Georges Dubouef

Gewurztraminer
A red grape that produces a white wine, very distinctive in Alsace. It is a semi-sweet wine with nice richness and a floral bouquet. Goes great with turkey, oriental food, and spicy dishes.
Recommended  Producer : Columbia Crest, Dopff,  and Fetzer.

Johannisberg Riesling
Usually signifies wine that is made from a true Riesling grape.  Ideal Riesling comes from the Johannisberg Rheingau vineyards. The taste exemplifies a bouquet of apples or apricots, light dry to sweet. Goes well with fish chicken or fruit salads.  It is also very nice for just sipping.
Recommended  Producers : Fetzer and Geyser Peak.

Voigner
Derived from vines that have a very small yield. Aromatic bouquet of almonds and exotic fruits.  A richly flavored wine with medium body and a drier taste. Goes well with pork tenderloin, salmon, tuna, chicken dishes, oriental foods, and vegetarian foods.
Recommended  Producers :  Callaway and Phillips EXP

Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris
Where it is made dictates whether it is called Grigio or Gris. It is an easy drinking Italian, white wine with a soft, light, dry body.  Very approachable and a definite crowd pleaser. Goes well with salads, oriental foods, or by itself.
Recommended  Producers : Bolla, Placido, Scarllata, and Santa Margherita.