Need advice

I have just found your wonderful site, and (http://maplered.com) I am a bit overwhelmed!

We are buying a new construction house and (http://maplered.com) have decided to upgrade to Granite (http://tanbrown.org) Counter (http://GialloFiorito.com) tops in the kitchen. It is a stand (http://maplered.com) ard "cookie cutter" builder, so our options are limited. I thought that we would pick our Granite (http://tanbrown.org) based solely on looks, but now I realize there is so much more. Can you give me some quick thoughts on the following options? I am looking for thoughts on functionality, maintenance, and (http://maplered.com) appearance.

Our options are Impala Black, Venetian Gold, Ubatuba and (http://maplered.com) Caledonia (also Baltic Brown and (http://maplered.com) Peacock but we don't care for the look of these). If it matters, we will have either cherry or maple cabinets.

We will have to choose during our "design center appointment", so we won't have the chance to do a lot of the tests that I have read about here.

Thanks so much!