The Inniskillin winery itself was created in 1975 by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, across the street on 32 acres of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Gamay. When it was purchased by Albrecht Seeger and his family in 1978, the winery moved to the Brae Burns Estate (where you can find Icewine varitals such as Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Vidal. MORE >>

alcohol cabernet franc. Sommelier Raj Parr is teaming up with Arnot-Roberts to make a gamay. The French have a wine term that doesn’t translate. No, it’s not terroir. It’s vin de soif. wine that’s thirst-quenching is a fun drink that accompanies food or a moment but doesn’t dominate them. pinot noir. MORE >>

Cabernet franc grown on limestone from a top grower in Chinon. Fleurie from the edge of Moulin-a-Vent, this is more pinot-like than gamay, structure and elegance over fruit and ebullience. And around $30 a bottle? would sign up for a case faster than I would a 375ml of 2010 Lafite–and I’d probably save money if I did. MORE >>

2007 Claux Delorme Valençay , about $16, is a delicious blend of Malbec, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. I was very fortunate to be invited to dinner by JD Headrick , the philosophical and articulate wine importer based in North Carolina. Headrick's portfolio is small, but well selected. By the way, Rouge Tomate is really good. MORE >>

The Puzelats grow Pinot Noir, Gamay, Côt (called Malbec in Argentina), Bréton (called Cabernet Franc in the film Sideways ), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris (called Pinot Grigio in Italy), and the rarely seen Pineau D'Aunis and Menu Pineau (called Arbois in the Jura). They buzz with energy, some say "wildness." It works. MORE >>