The south of France is probably that country's single best source for wines boasting a bon rapport de qualité-prix ("good price-to-quality ratio"). From the Alpes-Maritime near the Italian border and westward through the southern Rhône, the Lubéron, and Provence, there are literally dozens of estates where the owners are intently focused on quality. The region is mostly known for its reds, Grenache being the predominant variety and usually blended with bits of Syrah, Mourvèdre (this last variety plays a starring role in Bandol, however), etc. Continuing west through the Languedoc, in the rolling countryside   More

The south of France is probably that country's single best source for wines boasting a bon rapport de qualité-prix ("good price-to-quality ratio"). From the Alpes-Maritime near the Italian border and westward through the southern Rhône, the Lubéron, and Provence, there are literally dozens of estates where the owners are intently focused on quality. The region is mostly known for its reds, Grenache being the predominant variety and usually blended with bits of Syrah, Mourvèdre (this last variety plays a starring role in Bandol, however), etc. Continuing west through the Languedoc, in the rolling countryside surrounding Montpelier, one continues to encounter overachieving wineries; this in a region that only 15 or 20 years ago made almost nothing but plonk. Arriving in the Roussillon, French Catalonia near the Spanish border, Carignan becomes at least as important as Grenache, with some vineyards over 100 years old. It is here that the idiosyncratic, but often delicious, dessert wines Maury and Banyuls are produced.   Less