Picking wines from France can sometimes be intimidating. Let’s say that lack of language knowledge doesn’t help. This week, we are suggesting three wines from Southern France (Rhône Valley and Languedoc) and one from the famed Bordeaux area.

Perrin Family Côtes du Rhône

Perrin Family, Côtes du Rhône, Réserve, 2018 France

In a very good vintage in the Rhône Valley, this Côtes du Rhône is bursting with very ripe and spicy fruit. No heavy oak here as is sometimes the case in some entrey-level wine form this appellation. Plenty of blackberries and wild fruits. Killer value for the price. (12$)

Les Darons by Jeff CarrelLes Darons, by Jeff Carrel, 2019, AOC Languedoc, France

Delicious blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah from the Languedoc region. « Les Darons » (meaning fathers) is a great wine with aromas of plums,blueberries and blackberries combined with sweet spices. Finish is quite mineral and silky in the mouth. Velvety tannins and fruit freshness make it a fantastic wine for a nice dinner between friends. (13$)

Château LanessanChâteau Lanessan, 2019, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from a Château based in the Haut-Médoc area. WIth its round tannins, this Bordeaux wine manged to keep his fruit forward freshness in that vintage. The finish is chewy, jammy and quite supple. Definitely a bottle that you should buy in multiple units to keep some in the cellar for the next 10 years. You will thank me. (26$)