had never heard of this town or of this producer, and I don't usually love Grenache wines, so imagine my surprise when the 2004 Domaine Henri Milan Clos Milan simply stopped me in my tracks. This wine is 80% old vines Grenache and 20% Syrah from gravel and yellow sandstone soils that Milan is fond of comparing to that of Château Rayas. MORE >>

But even in the Languedoc, in the south of France where the grape proliferates, where reasonable people like Jancis Robinson dump on the grape for tasting like battery acid (or something ). Carignan. In America it is often called carignane when planted, if at all, on domestic soil. The family-run St. MORE >>

This big blend of grenache, syrah and carignan, has that ripe, juicy quality from many of the wines of the region. Darling Hills, Ovation, South Africa (about $20 for 3L; find this wine ): a 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault, the workhorse grape originally from the South of France. “Merry Christmas!&# Standing tall. MORE >>

delightful blend of Merlot and Cab Franc. There were also some very nice Cabernet Francs from the Finger Lakes and surprisingly my pick for Best Red Wine is from the Finger Lakes. blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. should be back on track after the holiday season. So, here goes. MORE >>

note: from my travels in France, this is actually a familiar story!). Michel also brought a "GSM" - grenache, syrah, mouvedre (Chateau de Nages 2009 Costieres de Nimes, Chaeau de Nage Vielles Vignes, Rouge) with minimum oak yet a spicey nose of concentrated red grapes. The room is full of Rhone wine fans from around the world! MORE >>