1. Chateau de Nages rose is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. Rating from International Wine Cellar - 88 Points. Color: An intense, brilliant rose petal. Packs a punch but comes off as dry and nervy, with strong finishing cut and lingering spiciness. Nose and Palate: The nose is an elegant combination of pomegranate and raspberry with fragrant and fresh aromas of white peach, melon, magnolia and fresh ginger. Packs a punch but comes off as dry and nervy, with strong finishing cut and lingering spiciness. All of the wonderful ripe fruit flavors fade into a crisp finish. In short, I like this wine’s tension and focus. Appellation: Rhone, France Alcohol:13.5% Drink it with egg dishes. Ideal for afternoon parties since it pairs well with quiche, frittata and omelets. Also with ham, barbecue, roast chicken, paella, baked fish, olive or eggplant tapenade and goat or sheep's milk cheeses. Pair just as you would a white wine.

2. Alain Patriarche Bourgogne Blanc La Monatine A White Burgundy (Chardonnay)of very high quality. Color: Clear straw yellow. Nose and Palate: Toast, almond, citrus and pear on the nose. Nice body and structure in the mouth, with some minerality and lemony acidity in youth. Powerful aromas of lime and of verbena, grapefruit, lemon, and woody notes. After a fresh attack, the volume of the ample and fleshy flesh quickly established to invade the Palace of fishing in syrup, pineapple, toasted almond and wooded vanilla. Appellation: The Monatine vineyard lies within the village of Meursault. Alcohol: 13.5% Enjoy with a seafood or maybe a nice lobster lasagna. Also, appetizers with caramelized onions, creamy cheeses, sautéed sweet peppers and the like.

3. Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Robert Parker made this estate renown with his review of their 2003 vintage, and they have never looked back. It’s made from 25% each Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc, with some of it aged in barriques. Color: Light yellow. Nose and Palate: Ripe tropical fruits and poached pear on the pungent nose. Fleshy and broad, with very good depth and power to its pineapple and mango flavors. A touch of pear skin gives a refreshingly bitter quality to the long, sappy finish. It exhibits copious notes of rose water, honeysuckle, marmalade, poached pears and lemon blossom in a medium to full-bodied style. The wine possesses lots of acidity and texture and should drink nicely for 2-3 years. Alcohol: 12% Appellation: Rhone, France (Chateauneuf du Pape) Very versatile with a variety of foods. Appetizers – antipasto, asparagus, tuna, and clams.

4. Domaine de Montille Beaune Les Grèves Premier Cru Côte de Beaune lends itself remarkably well to the cultivation of the two great Burgundian varieties (chardonnay and pinot noir). This is a classic expression of Burgundy Color: Burgundy Red. Nose and Palate: Delicious strawberry fruit nose, really very pretty. It smells soft and charming, with no hint of silliness with alcohol or new oak. The palate has a very slight suggestion of rigor to the tannins, but it is mainly all about that lovely, lovely strawberry fruit. The acidity is spot on to keep it fresh and juicy. Pretty good length to it as well. It may not be the most complex bottle of Burgundy, but it is the perfect 2007 Beaune and an utter delight to drink. Alcohol: 13.5% Appellation: Burgundy, France (Côte de Beaune ) Pairs well with Brie cheese, salmon-based appetizers, vegetarian chili, grilled vegetables, vegetarian lasagna, pot stickers and stuffed mushrooms.

5. Domaine de la Presidente - Cotes du Rhone The Domaine de la Présidente is an exceptional vineyard dating back to the 18th century. This is an excellent example of what Chateauneuf is all about. 70% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 10%. Color: Rich garnet. Dark to the rim. Nose and Palate: The wine Spectator said "An elegant Cotes du Rhone Grands Classiques. Juicy, with cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit woven with spice and graphite notes, and a wonderful length to the finish.“ I say arresting nose of sweet spice, with a long warm blackberry and warm, spicy palate, smooth tannins and a savory palate with a little kirsch to round it all off. Alcohol: 14.5% Appellation: Cotes du Rhone, France I like this wine. My recommendation would be to buy it and put it in your cellar.

6. Chateau Bois Redon - Bordeaux This is a 2009 blend of 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Color: Ruby rich red. Nose and Palate: Wine Spectator says "Ripe and direct, with friendly linz torte and blackberry pate de fruit flavors, all accompanied by a sleek, anise-tinged finish that keeps the toast in the background.“ I say - Dried cherry and coffee. Lots of dry cocoa-like tannins on the finish. Almost bitter, yet has a soft texture. Serious. Elegant. Medium bodied. Understated. Tastes “tight” and when first opened, gets much better as it breathes. Alcohol: 13.5% ABV. Appellation: The property is near Saint Émilion (Bordeaux) I say give it a try, especially if you don’t drink French wine.

7. Chateau Roués Mauriac - Bordeaux A well-made blend of Cabernet Franc (50%) and Merlot (40%), with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon thrown in for good measure. Wine Advocate Rating – 91 Color: Ruby rich red. Nose and Palate: What Wine Advocate said - "A ripe bouquet that coalesces nicely in the glass: crushed raspberry, boysenberry. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly chewy entry, nice definition and weight with good tannic attack towards the finish." What I say … shockingly good and immediately approachable, a pleasant fruit forward Bordeaux. Offers generous aromas of boysenberry and violets followed by flavors of blackberry jam, fig, tobacco, and anise, with soft tannins, faint hints of toasty oak, and a supple finish. Would not have thought it Bordeaux if I had tasted blind, and still the acidity is there. Alcohol: 13.5% ABV. Appellation: Bordeaux Superieur Recommendation: Simply flavorful and nicely expressive, this is a "little" Bordeaux that falls into place quite nicely buy it and cellar.