November: Le Sud de France

Soon enough the cold will be upon us and our ovens will be slowly braising this or that joint of meat, or our pots will be simmer with stews and hearty soups. The BBQ will have been shut down for the seasons and roasts will be the order of the day. It is now we give the lord our thanks for Le Sud, i.e. The South of France..

Southern France is the natural home of the greatest number of full-bodied reds. From Cote-Rotie, Hermitage and Cornas in the Northern Rhone, to Provence’s Bandol, to the Southern Rhone’s Chateauneufs and Gigondas, to the various and ranging appellations of Languedoc and Roussillon, the South has a rich red wine for you.

Down here, blends dominate, and the primary stars are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, with Carignan playing an interesting role in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Here are four excellent examples for your gustatory pleasure.

2019 Franck Balthazar Côtes du Rhône AOC  

2019 Chapelle St. Theodoric “Les Sablons” Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC

2019 Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras AOC

2019 Domaine de Courbissac Les Traverses Minervois