It´s easy to dismiss pink wine. After all, most Americans associate rosé with cheap, sweet "blush" wines, like Sutter Home´s white Zinfandel. (Shades of the Country Girl!) This style of wine traces its roots to the early 1970s.

Those who are comfortable with the obscure find value in places like Spain, northern Italy, and France´s Loire Valley. Those who are more comfortable with easy-to-pronounce locales stick to places like Argentina, New Zealand, and California´s Central Coast.

As general rule, it isn't a terrible idea to pair lighter foods like fish with white wine. But plenty of seafood dishes work better with red wine. If your fish is meaty or charred – or served with tomatoes, mushrooms, or a fruity sauce – it'll likely be complimented best by a delicate red like Pinot Noir.

High-quality Syrah is wonderfully accessible, even in its youth. As Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor for Wine Enthusiast, recently explained, "I would describe a good Syrah as having the weight of Cabernet Sauvignon, but a little softer, and while...