But I found two of them recently, and they're both from Provence. Is Provence quietly putting out the best $10 red wines? Provence is such a misunderstood wine region. There are, of course, great producers making great wines from other areas in Provence, and their entry-level bottles can offer truly fantastic value. MORE >>

Or perhaps, truly fine red wines made from Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and the other southern grapes, will in 30 years be coming from the more northerly climes of Beaujolais and Burgundy. Tags: Bandol Technical Stuff Provence Châteauneuf du Pape Until a decade ago, alcohol levels were typically about 13%. MORE >>

If you're willing to spend $25 or more, the rosés of Bandol in Provence are among the world's finest, and I think they're worth every penny. Here are the rosés I've had at home so far this spring, some great, some not as great: 2008 Commanderie de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé , $14, Rosenthal Imports. Really a lovely wine. MORE >>

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). Syrah, and Grenache. 75% Syrah, some Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre make up the balance. Classic peppery and meaty Syrah, with good energy and balance. MORE >>

The Languedoc-Roussillon, also known as the Midi, is a huge area west of Provence, south of the Rhone Valley, just northeast of the Spanish Pyrenees, all of it draped around the Mediterranean Sea. This is hot weather France where hardy grapes thrive, like Grenache and Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan, and of course, Syrah. MORE >>