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. Silly me.

As in Cheverny, red wines from Valençay contain several grapes, typically some blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Franc. The 2006 vintage is 40% Gamay, 30% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Pinot Noir. the spiciness of the Pinot…the juicy "drink me" quality of the Gamay….and For example.

2006 Wendouree Shiraz/Malbec, Clare Valley. 2005 Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc, Great. 2005 Château Mouton Rothschild Cabernet/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot, Pauillac. 2005 Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Clare Valley. 2008 R Wines Mod Gamay, Geelong. Day One. Day Two.

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." Sushi!

If you're in France, for example, and you exchange $100, you walk away with only 65 Euro, and that's before commissions and fees. Reds: 2006 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Pif, $14, Louis/Dressner Selections (blend of old vines Malbec, young Cabernet Franc). For several months now the Euro is comfortably in the 1.5 range. So there.

In case you're not familiar with Jenny & Francois , they import natural wines from all over France, from heavy hitters like Burgundy to unsung heroes like the Côtes de Duras (just northeast of Bordeaux, and considered Southwest France). This is 100% gamay and it looks like fresh pressed grape juice, cloudy and pink.

Actually, it's a blend of Pinot and Gamay, so maybe instead I should say that it's the finest under $15 red wine of the season. For red wine Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and the obscure Pineau d'Aunis are allowed. Can you use 99% Pinot Noir and a touch of Gamay? It costs $13.50

NV Renerdat-Fache Bugey Cerdon Demi-sec Petillant , $16 - this is a low alcohol (~7.5%) effervescent rose colored wine from Bugey in eastern France. Made from Poulsard and Gamay, it is sweet, fruity, and funky all at the same time, and pleasantly bubbly. 2005 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Cabernet Franc , $13. Just yummy.

They use Malbec, Gamay, and even Cabernet Sauvignon in Muscadet, Anjou, and Saumur. But the dominant red grape in the Loire Valley, the grape that is used to craft the finest of its red wines is Cabernet Franc, known there as Breton. There are many appellations in the Loire Valley and several grapes are used to make red wine.