beautiful wine from the Côte de Provence, a blend of 85% Rolle (that's Vermentino to you Italo-philes) and 15% Ugni-Blanc (that's Trebbiano to you Italo-philes). This is the "entry level" wine, which is a joke because it is a complete wine, ripe, complex, cellar-worthy. Syrah, and Grenache. Delicious and earthy Blanc de Blancs. MORE >>

The areas to consider are the Cote Du Rhone, The Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence and Southwest France. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut, these are the most popular grapes of Southern France and vignerons (French winemakers) play around with them in the cellars to create their own identities. Ah, the Holidays. MORE >>

But I have an active imagination and lately I've been thinking about the south of France, Provence in particular. So instead we decided to spend a couple of days drinking the wines of Provence, specifically the Bandol appellation. Bandol is quietly known for making some of the finer red wines in Provence. Why Bandol? MORE >>

There are the beautiful and age worthy rosés from Bandol and other areas in Provence. blend of 20% Tempranillo, 60% Garnacho (Grenache), and 20% Viura (a traditional white grape of Rioja). There are Sancerre rosés made from Pinot Noir, also age worthy wines in the hands of either of the Cotat brothers, for example. There is (was?) MORE >>