YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Roncière Côtes du Rhône

A complex mixture of red fruit with touches of sun-kissed earth on the nose open up to Provençal herbs, more red fruit - this time berries - purple flowers and small hints of brambley undergrowth.

PERFECT WITH

Spicy BBQ, griddled cheeseburgers, by itself with a slight chill

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Domaine Dumas Brouilly

An intense red fruit core of sweet Rainier cherry, spiced wildberry bramble, ripe strawberry and super silky-soft tannins.

PERFECT WITH

Andouille sausage, Bolognese pizza, charcuterie, chicken tagine

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Graveirette Châteauneuf du Pape

The most famous wine of the Rhone Valley, touting a fruit bowl of flavors like raspberry, blackberry jam and rich dark fruits. Hints of exotic and expensive spices and herbs back up the fruit, along with prototypical garrigue scents you expect of quality French wines.

PERFECT WITH

Lamb shanks, triple cream cheeses, lobster pasta, sushi

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Château Hourbanon 2012

7 years is a comfortable amount of time to hold-off on opening your Médoc Bordeauxs. This 2012 still has a whisper of youth on the nose with tight black fruit dominating the aromas, but as of this year is starting to show it’s true colors. Dark plum, mushroom and vanilla notes from the oak that have yet to fully integrate into the wine linger around the edges and add to the flavor profile. The tannins are more present now and will only fade and smooth over with age, so if BIG wines are your thing, this may be the Bordeaux for you!

PERFECT WITH

Barbecue, fancy takeout, fato a mano pasta, showing off on a second date

YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

La Lande Cavagnac

Big, dry and pruney in the best way - the darker side of Malbec. Concentrated vinous flavors and ripeness dominate, but the wine is far from cloying or intrusive. Blackberry and currant are the main fruit culprits throughout, with noticeable integrated oak also along for the ride.

PERFECT WITH

Venison steaks, Boar sausage, Coq au Vin, Cassoulet

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Domaine Lorieux Tuffeaux Cabernet Franc

Named after the soft yellow-colored stone that dominates the central Loire Valley and vineyards. The wine is firm and still young but softens in the glass into delicious flavors of ripe, perfumed black fruits and juicy acidity.

PERFECT WITH

Quiche Loraine, grilled chicken, portobello mushrooms, Vietnamese Bun

YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco white from

L’Espinose Muscadet

Classic Muscadet with a bright, pale yellow color with scents of pear, peach and grapefruit. The palate opens with citrus and lively minerality and the mouthfeel is velvet smooth thanks to aging on lees.

PERFECT WITH

Moules Frites, tempeh, oysters, grilled cheese lunch

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco white from

Château Gillet Bordeaux Blanc

A semillon heavy blend makes for a rich and tropical fruit filled bouquet of lychee and honeysuckle. The Sauvignon blanc dominates the palate with tart, zesty lime and under ripe kiwi, like you forgot to cut off all of the skin. The semillon lends itself to mouthfeel here with a nice weight and texture and also to complementary floral undertones.

PERFECT WITH

The French Trinity (parsley, butter, garlic,) seafood, french fries, McD’s Filet ‘o’ Fish.

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Domaine Millet Chablis

Clear yellow in the glass with first scents of pear, white peach and nectarine. The mouth changes as those ripe fruits are replaced by ripe citrus and crisp, fresh acidity. Enough texture to carry all of those flavors along with their aromatic density though the palate with whispers of spicy white pepper on the finish. Crisp, clean and mineral - Chablis!

PERFECT WITH

Butter poached trout, oysters - raw or grilled, goat cheese, char-grilled scallops