France

• Alsace
• Bergerac
• Bordeaux
  • Barsac
  • Bordeaux Supérieur
  • Margaux
  • Graves
  • Haut-Medoc
  • Listrac
  • Pauillac
  • Pomerol
  • Saint Emilion
  • Saint Estephe
  • Saint Julian
  • Sauternes
• Burgundy
  • Beaujolais
  • Bourgogne
  • Chablis
  • Côte de Nuits
  • Mercurey
• Cahors
• Champagne
• Cognac
• Corsica
• Gascony
• Jura
  • Arbois
• Languedoc-Roussillon
  • Minervois
• Loire Valley
  • Bourgueil
  • Jasnières
  • Muscadet
  • Mont Louis
  • Sancerre
  • Saumur
  • Savennières
  • Touraine
  • Vouvray
• Rhone (Rhône)
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  • Cornas
  • Crozes-Hermitage
  • Gigondas
  • Hermitage
  • Lirac
  • Saint Joseph
• Provence
  • Bandol
• Savoie
• Tavel

This is a 60/40 blend of Grenache/Syrah from the  Rhone Valley in France.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, spice, roasted herbs and slight black raspberries.  Nice texture.  Medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and char.  Good finish.  A nice wine for casual drinking that won't break the bank.  It is nice on its own and will work well with most (not seafood) foods.  A nice choice with a pot of Chili on a fall afternoon.  Drink over the next five years.

If you like crisp Chardonnay, this is a bottle to try.  And, its affordable!  Pale, silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has grapefruit with some minerality and slight salinity.  Medium bodied.  Oily texture.  Excellent acidity.  On the palate, grapefruit  with crispness.  Long finish.  OK, this might not be life changing, but for $30, this is one of the better Chardonnay's I have had in awhile.  Nice on its own, and very food friendly. Well worth trying to see if you like this style.  

This is a Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is mild with yellow grapefruit and a bit of lemon.  Good acidity.  Light bodied.  On the palate, this has lemon-lime and some grapefruits.  It drinks easy.  Moderate finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and will work with lighter foods.  A nice lunch wine with a tune salad.  Drink now.  

This is a reasonably priced rose from Bordeaux made from Merlot grapes.  Very pale pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight strawberries and cranberries with a bit of grapefruit.  Light bodied but with a nice texture.  12.5% abv.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is easy drinking on its own and will work nicely with cheese or fried foods/appetizers.  A nice wine to sip on the back patio.  Drink now.  

Pale ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight cinnamon, and a hint of mocha.  Medium bodied.  Lighter tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, cherries and slight black cherries with a bit of spice.  Good finish.  This is still on the youthful side of peak but showing some development.  Nice on its own, this would be better with food.  A hearty beef or vegetable stew would work well.  Drink over the next ten years.  

Muscadets continue to be some of the best values in wine.  Made from 100% Melon de Bourgone grape.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has crushed shells, salinity and just a hint of lemon.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is all about minerality.  Depth.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is great on its own but the classic pairing is oysters.  Drink over the next five to seven years, but it will probably go longer.  Don't listen to those who say they need to be consumed in the first year or two.  

Not many family-run business can claim over 300 years in business, but the Saget family starting working with wine back in 1790. And leave it to the French to produce a very enjoyable Pinot Noir for under $20. Created in a lighter style this Pinot, at this price point, is a very good value and provides good quality fruit, tannic structure, and acidity. It offers red raspberry, light strawberry, delicate cherry, cranberry, worn leather, resin, a mild earthiness and a suggestion of cola. The wine is seamlessly blended and therefore drinks well.