Vive le France

We're celebrating France today, Bastille Day. Not only are some of the world's best wines produced in France, but some of the best values come from France as well.

We start our own Tour de France in Champagne. There are many styles of sparkling wine produced in France, but none match the quality of Champagne. We suggest the Duc de Romet Brut Champagne Prestige. This non-vintage sparkler scored an impressive 91 points from Wine Spectator. Their review: "A fine, creamy mousse defines this elegant version, underscored by a chalky note of minerality and offering subtle notes of patisserie apple, blanched almond, fresh ginger and a hint of crystallized honey."

At only $26.99 in the Bottle Club®, it's impossible to find a better Champagne in its price range.

Next, we move on to Bordeaux, where Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate. Since it's a Monday, we'll recommend an every-day wine. The Barton & Guestier Les Charmes de Magnol Medoc is an outstanding choice.

Medoc is a Left Bank appellation, meaning that Cabernet is typically favored over Merlot. Both varietals are included in this wine.

Les Charmes de Magnol is a special selection made by the Barton & Guestier winemakers' team in the prestigious Médoc appellation. The Medoc parcels offer the perfect soil to the two famous Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Tasting notes for the Les Charmes: Deep purple red color. Intense and complex on the nose, developing ripe fruits, plums and spicy notes. When swirled, flattering tobacco and coffee hints appear. On the palate, the wine offers a velvety tannic structure with very ripe fruit aromas. The finish is long and elegant.

Only $11.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Naturally, we'll next explore the Burgundy region. Here, Gamay and Pinot Noir excel, as does Chardonnay. The Gamay is often overlooked because of the Beaujolais Nouveau, but in-the-know wine drinkers can grab some outstanding Gamay-based wines at incredible prices. One such wine is the Domaine Balandras Les Gravieres Macon Serriere.

It's an intense ruby red, with purple reflection. The nose is strawberry, spice and licorice. Soft tannins that still exhibit great length abound. The terroir influence had a surprising and very pleasant minerality to the great 100% Gamay. Mâcon-Serrières goes marvelously well with fine charcuterie, braised beef, burgers and tapas. This wine also has the ability to age up to 5 years.

Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

There are some amazing wines produced in the Rhone region. From the simple (Cotes du Rhone) to the extraordinary (Chateauneuf-du-Pape), the Grenache and Syrah-based wines from the Rhone offer something for every palate.

We'll spotlight the Pierre Amadieu Cotes du Rhone Roulepierre, another wine made for daily enjoyment.

Bunches of Grenache and Syrah, grown on chalk and clay soils are strictly sorted to produce this cuvée.

Hand-made harvests and the traditional wine making process express a pleasant color together with red and black fruits scents (blackberry, plum). A sweet touch of licorice enhances the beautiful palate. A mouth filling wine in a pure Rhône style.

Enjoy this wine young, or up to about 5 years, with grilled poultry, or a roasted veal with an unctuous sauce. This is also only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.

A mid-summer tribute to French wine has to include a Rosé. We recommend the Petit Rimauresq Rosé, from Provence. 

Rosé, with its surprising aromatic subtlety, will lead naturally to the Provencal cuisine. Try the experience of foie gras, or chicken with morels, and you will understand that there is something very different about a meal with a Rosé!

This wine is a rich, red fruited rose, offering flavors of orange, strawberry and spice with a fine mineral backbone and juicy red fruit note on the finish. Only $10.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Naturally, the meal and the day would not be complete without a beautiful dessert wine.  Many of the best French dessert wines, are made for aging, just like a fine Bordeaux or Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Since we want to celebrate now, we chose a wine that's ready to enjoy now.

Look for the 2011 vintage of Château Guiraud Petit Guiraud Sauternes, in a 375ML bottle. This Sauternes rated 90 points from Wine Spectator. "Solid, with a direct, open-knit core of apricot, toasted almond, piecrust and white peach flavors that meld through the creamy, ginger-tinged finish. Drink now through 2018."

And it's only $14.99 in the Bottle Club®.

That's our quick, wine-centric Tour de France to celebrate Bastille Day.  You can also toast the day with Cognac, or with a cocktail that includes Lillet or Grand Marnier if you prefer.