For lovers of French wine, here's a rustic $15 red that's good for everyday drinking
This week's recommendations include two delicious wines from France's Maconnais: an old-vines gamay and a fine chardonnay. The rest of the all-French lineup comes from the Rhone Valley, including a luscious white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and two reds. Two of the wines are produced by brothers.
3 stars: Exceptional; 2 stars: Excellent; 1 star: Very Good
<h3 class="briefHead">Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2016/2017</h3>
Rhone Valley, France, $39
Three stars
Châteauneuf-du-Pape usually means full-bodied, heady reds based on Grenache. The whites are also robust and full-bodied, as is this beauty from winemaker Christian Berthet-Rayne. Scents of jasmine and beeswax, and the spice of ginger make this wine entrancing. It's a blend of organic clairette, bourboulenc, Grenache blanc and roussanne. I tasted the 2016; the importer is now selling the 2017, though both vintages may still be available. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent.
<h3 class="briefHead">Domaine de la Denante Mâcon-Davayé 2017</h3>
Burgundy, France, $15
Two and a half stars
This delicious red is made from old-vines gamay, the grape of Beaujolais. It is rather earthier and more rustic than its southern neighbor, a result of the limestone soils there compared to granite in Beaujolais. Don't cellar this; it's meant more as an everyday house wine. Enjoy it with braised meat dishes and cold weather. ABV: 13 percent.
<h3 class="briefHead">Domaine du Mont Epin Macon-Peronne 2016</h3>
Burgundy, France, $20
Two and a half stars
Chardonnay shines in the Maconnais, and Domaine du Mont Épin doesn't disappoint with this racy white that combines fruit, flowers and minerals in its flavor profile. ABV: 13 percent.
<h3 class="briefHead">Camille Cayran L'Elegante Cairanne 2016</h3>
Rhone Valley, France, $22
Two and a half stars
Cairanne is a village in the Rhone Valley with its own appellation, giving the wines greater status than Côtes-du-Rhone. These tend to be somewhat brawny, with an appealing rusticity. This example by Camille Cayran, certified organic, lives up to its name with an attractive elegance and polish. It's a blend of Grenache, syrah, carignan and mourvedre. ABV: 14.5 percent.
<h3 class="briefHead">Domaine A. Berthet-Rayne Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2015/2017</h3>
Rhone Valley, France, $19
Two stars
André Berthet-Rayne, Christian's brother, produces this more traditional style of cairanne. Think mouth-coating flavors of baked fruit and sun-drenched earth. I tasted the 2015; the importer now has the 2017, but both vintages are in the market. Certified organic. ABV: 14.5 percent.
Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.