We voted at the end of the tasting. Kermit asked, “which red did you like best, the ‘Pourpre’ or the ‘Causse du Bousquet?’” Out of the eight voters  it was a split decision (Kermit was the ninth attendee but didn’t vote). Each red received four votes. What does that mean? It was close, I could have voted for the other guy but I stuck with my instincts. My favorite red of the night was the “Pourpre,” made by the son of Domaine Gramenon vigneronne Michèle Aubrey-Laurent, Maxime Laurent.

“Pourpre” is a funny word to say. I’d recommend that you practice saying it out loud a few times. Don’t worry about using your best French pronunciation; say whatever you feel most closely resembles “Pourpre.” In general I’d use that advice when pronouncing French wine names.  Just say what comes out naturally and being the intuitive creatures humans are, whomever you’re speaking to will probably understand it. Back in the day, Robert Mondavi decided that “Sauvignon” was too difficult for Americans to say, so he started bottling his Sauvignon Blanc as “Fumé Blanc.” Decades later, we’ve figured out that Americans do possess the intellect to say “Sauvignon” and now the wine drinking public is just confused when they learn that Fumé Blanc is actually Sauvignon Blanc.

Maxime Laurent’s 2008 “Pourpre” ($32) and the Mas Champart 2007 Saint Chinian “Causse de Bousquet” ($22) are two very different wines. The “Pourpre” is 100% Grenache from the southern Rhône but vinified in the style of the wines of Beaujolais. There is a bright spice, a faint brush of tannin, and simply beautiful fruit. My colleague, Sam Imel, poignantly described it by saying: “It (the “Pourpre”) is just so fresh, like fresh cut fruit in your mouth.”

Mas Champart’s “Causse de Bousquet” is a different animal. This wine has muscle and structure. It’s powerful, but not over the top. The black olive, black cherry, and réglisse notes are firmly held together by a strong backbone of tannin. Drink this now, but only with a hearty meal, or let it soften for a number of years. This is one of our many wines that don’t break the bank, but can be held for 5+ years and will give you immense pleasure down the line.

The time around July 4th is when French wine sales take a little hit. Domestic wineries jump on the “buy American” bandwagon and people head to their local shops that feature their favorite homegrown wines. This makes sense, right? July 4th = Zinfandel? Why on earth would you buy a bottle of French wine to go with an Independence Day celebration?

I’d argue that the first bottle you look for should be from France! I believe it was the involvement of the French Navy in the Revolutionary War that played a major factor in the U.S. sealing the deal. Also, let us not forget that it was the French who gave us the Statue of Liberty. So, clearly, we should raise a glass to the French this weekend! Three great picnic wines emerged from our last staff tasting that would be the ideal accompaniment for an Independence Day gathering.

2007 Coteaux du Languedoc “Tradition” • St. Martin de la Garrigue ($14.95)

The wines of St. Martin de la Garrigue are consistent values. “Tradition” is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan, possessing a wild, rustic edge, but without any gnarly tannins. Dark spice, black fruit and a hit of stoniness reminiscent of a Côtes du Rhône make this wine a perfect pairing for summer barbeque fare. Burgers, ribs, or Portobello mushrooms on the grill – this is the wine to uncork.

2008 Sauvignon Blanc “Unique” • Domaine du Salvard ($13.95)

“Unique” hails from the village of Cheverny, where to take the village name the bottling must have a small dose of Chardonnay. The lack of Chardonnay in “Unique” allows Salvard to name his “Sauvignon Blanc” without breaking any rules. Clearly this is convenient for the consumer and the wine lives up to Loire Sauvignon Blanc standards. Quaffable, sprightly, and bright, this wine jumps around your tongue like a fiddler’s bow on strings.

2008 Bandol Rosé • Domaine de la Tour du Bon ($26)

Tour du Bon has nailed it with their ’08 Rosé – pure, classic Bandol. Fresh light peach notes and funky herbs de provence aromas coat your mouth, imploring you to take another gulp. This wine might transport you to the Côte d’Azur, but, even better, you could visit their property near Bandol where they have a quaint Provençal farmhouse available as a vacation rental.

Any time someone uses a superlative to describe one of our wines, we tend to appreciate it and enjoy the fact that someone else out there enjoys our wines as much as we do. Kermit has long described the Bandol Rosé from Domaine Tempier as the best rosé in the world. Jeremy Parzen of the blog Do Bianchi apparently agrees. Check out his posting here.

Rosé season is quickly coming upon us, with our first large shipment of rosés arriving in Berkeley in mid-May. If the May shipment of rosés taste anything like the one 2008 rosé that we currently have available (2008 Coteaux du Languedoc Rosé, St. Martin de la Garrigue – $12) then we will have another full season of excellent rosé quaffing. Look forward to drinking rosé from Provence, the Languedoc, the Rhône, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley all summer and fall long.