In all likelihood, you're at least vaguely familiar with Albarino, Gruner Veltliner, Malbec, Carmenere, Zweigelt, and Torrontes, but you may question whether these grape varieties are fad wines for geeks. You'd be wrong. Each of these varieties has a longstanding history in the regions they're grown. Gruner Veltliner, for example, is the most planted in grape in Austria. And, Carmenere for the longest time, has been grown in Chile but mistaken for Merlot. Consequently, vineyard managers have harvested it too soon, and not realized that Carmenere craves dryer soil (unlike Merlot). Now that the experts are learning about its quirks, we're finally starting to see some world-class wines. If you're looking to expand your drinking horizons, you can scarcely do better than this class to begin your journey. Jerome Smith is a Managing Partner with Select Fine Wines. His thirty year wine career has included positions with Frederick Wildman, Opus One, Wine.com, National Wine & Spirits all around the United States. He is also a Certified Sommelier by the American Chapter of the UK-based Court of Master Sommeliers.