We had so much fun talking Bordeaux on The Broadcast last week I wanted to tell the ladies a bit more about some of my favorite wines from France, especially as all of these listed below are excellent food wines, perfect for any upcoming holiday meal.  Click here for the segment or read a little bit more about each wine below.

Les Santons Rose, Coteaux D’Aix-En-Provence 2012 – Some people think Rose is just for drinking in the summer, but I love it all year round, especially for pairing with grilled fish, salads or Asian cusine. Provence in the south of France excels with their Rose production from grapes like Cinsaut, Grenache and Syrah, creating wines filled with elegance, freshness, spice and fruit like berries, watermelon and grapefruit. $12.99 available here.

Henry Fessy, Château des Reyssiers, Régnié, Beaujolais 2011 – Beaujolais, in the southern most part of Burgundy, is the ideal wine for Thanksgiving. Made from the Gamay grape, a light and fruity variety that is very food friendly, especially the Beaujolais Nouveau which comes out right before Thanksgiving each year. There can be a bit more too these food friendly wines though, especially the Beaujolais Cru wines that are reflective of their place, produced with finess to display the characteristics of the region and filled with earthiness, spice and often oak mingling with the ripe red berry and blackberry notes in the wine. And, they are great values, usually around $15-$20 a bottle.  This one is $15.99 available in Dallas at Pogo’s.

Marrenon Sepia, Grand Terroir Luberon – in 1988 the AOC (or Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée providing the guidelines for what will be produced in that region) was developed in southern France, in the heart of Provence for the region of Luberon, however they have been growing grapes there for over 2000 years. Surrounded by mountains with elevations reaching from 450 feet to 4000 the Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedere and Cinsault based reds and Marssane and Roussanne based whites are filled with the spice of the earth, freshness of the land and richness of the terroir, without being too obscure. Marrenon is one of the largest and most highly regarded producers of the region bringing together growers working through cooperatives to grow and produce the best wines possible using the most modern techniques while always maintaining their core traditions. The Marrenon Sepia blends 70% Syrah with 30% Grenache from specially selected vines grown in gravel and clay soils to create a bold wine filled with a blueberry, blackberry and currant mingling with vanilla, nutmeg and a touch of sweet cinnamon. $13.99 available here.

Clos de Brusquieres Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone – Many would argue that the wines of the Rhone are the best in the world, those from the south in Chateauneuf-du-Pape in particular. 18 different varieties, both red and white, in any amount or percantage, can go into every bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, led by Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedere. $37.99 available at Total Wine and More locations.