Southern French reds—typically, those words bring to mind hearty Grenache-based wines. That notion isn’t unwarranted, but dozens upon dozens of different grapes are grown throughout the Mediterranean region of France (and Corsica seems to come up with a new one each year). Here’s an opportunity to expand your notion of what this area has to offer.
      In this sampler, you’ll find two traditional blends—the Bandol from Terrebrune (Mourvèdre) and the Vacqueyras from Sang des Cailloux (Grenache). These classics provide a good benchmark for the four other wines.
      One step away from traditional is Domaine Gallety’s Côtes du Vivarais, which splits the Rhône in two by featuring a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Grenache. The Giacometti Sempre Cuntentu brings to light one of Corsica’s many endemic grapes, Sciaccarellu, showing off how exceptional the easy-drinking wines from this variety can be. The last two sampler selections hail from the Languedoc. Aupilhac’s Les Servières (Cinsault) displays the depth and beauty of a grape that is nearly always blended. And finally, the true wild card of the bunch, the Château Fontanès Cabernet. It should be no surprise that the best value in Cabernet would come from the Languedoc.