2010 Château Jougrand, Saint-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ... 10.99/117.50
In the center of France’s arid, mountainous Languedoc region lies the subregion of Saint-Chinian. Here deep, aromatic, intense wines are being crafted from traditional southern French varietals. Saint-Chinian’s chief varietal, Carignan, gives this authentic wonder that wild, untamed edge we so love from this region. Saturated black-plum in the glass, Jougrand’s Saint-Chinian opens with wild, herbal, garrigue-driven aromas of juniper, sage, black currants and tar. Bright on the attack, the Jougrand continues the herbal theme on the palate, complicated by suggestions of licorice, dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee and eucalyptus. The wine’s intense fruit and herbal palate presence segues to a long and remarkably refreshing finish featuring reprises of cassis and blackberry fruit wrapped inside layers of herbal garrigue, tar and licorice. Superb, authentic and rustic in all the best ways, this is a soulful winter-warmer rouge that chases away even the chilliest days and proves itself a wonderful complement to hearty braises, stews, grilled and roasted meats, ratatouille, hard cheeses, and game.

2010 Domaine du Pas Saint Martin, Saumur, La Pierre Frite, Loire Valley, France ... 13.50/144.50
In the heart of Saumur, Domaine du Pas Saint Martin produces an impressive and complete portfolio of still and sparkling wines. Their Saumur rouge, La Pierre Frite, is produced from Cabernet Franc organically grown on silica-rich limestone soils, de-stemmed, and fermented in stainless steel with the specific intention of producing wine approachable in its youth while also being expressive of the Saumur’s special terroir. Deep black-plum in color, the wine opens with smoky, leafy, tobacco-tinged cassis fruit complicated by floral top notes. Transparent and terroir-driven on the palate, the Cabernet Franc is merely a conduit for Saumur’s perfumed limestone to take center stage. Fine tannins and brisk acidity appear on the wine’s finish, followed by complex suggestions of violets, tobacco, menthol, tar and smoky earth. This is splendid, authentic Saumur rouge that’s ready to drink now. Serve with everything from burgers to chops to braises to stews.

2010 Rocca di Tufo, Orvieto, Umbria, Italy ... 9.50/101.50
Tuffeau (tufo) is the calcareous soil of the Orvieto DOC and the inspiration for this delicious, aromatic offering from winemaker Giovanni Dubini. A classic Orvieto blend of seven organically grown grapes, including Grechetto, Procanico and Verdello, Dubini brilliantly captures the floral, aromatic and mineral essence of what makes Orvieto one of our favorite Italian white wines. A lovely pale green-gold color in the glass, Rocca di Tufo’s Orvieto opens with aromas of star fruit, honeydew melon, straw and chalky minerals. Brisk and racy on the palate, the wine conveys suggestions of green apples, lime, grapefruit and hay, all underpinned by a flinty, perfumed tufo soil signature. Sappy and fresh on the finish, the wine segues to a tropical fruit theme with suggestions of pineapple and papaya alongside herbal notes of camphor and basil. A delicious, unusually complex and most affordable Orvieto, the Rocca di Tufo will pair wonderfully with all things seafood as well as white pasta dishes, sautéed green vegetables, fresh cheeses and light chicken recipes. Enjoy now and over the coming year.