Since you are on vacation, and likely a lovely little spot I imagine with great fresh air, ocean breezes, great views and an open air market where you can stuff your pannier with all sorts of tasty goodies. By now you have probably nosed around the village, introduced yourself to the local butcher and checked out the bakery (undoubtedly  that might have been your first stop) then on the little grocery store and checked out their wine and cheese selections. So now you’re planning on cooking a nice Poulet Rôti which may in fact be the only meal you personally have signed up for. That’s fine too and the little restaurant down the road could not be happier with your decision. In fact they count on people like you to support their own vacation in a few months time. I bet that little restaurant has a two page menu with two options either a crepe made eight different ways and filled with various meat and cheese concoctions or you can choose from mussels cooked 4 different ways. That’s it. The wine selection is average and almost average and served in little glasses, vaguely reminiscent of mustard jars.

But returning to the matter at hand, that of wine selections, you can take comfort in the knowledge that no matter where in France you may find yourself, there will always be a good wine selection. So march on down with your your netted sac to the grocery store and peruse their selections. If you are motoring and heading to the Super G store for your groceries, you are in luck! They usually have a great wine selection.  Remember, it’s summertime so don’t try and pick a wine that will make you feel as is you just gathered a few of your antique Persian rugs around your shoulders, if you get my drift. I believe the recommendations below will fall in the category of being light and attractive to the pallet, though necessarily a tease but certainly fun to be with (at the table). Under the category of “true confessions” once summer rolls around and the first beads of sweat have made their presence known, I make a formal call for all dry Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chablis and a few others to make their presence known to me in person.  I never need to call for Champagne because it’s always present and accounted for and chilled.
Les Vins de Sélection
Beaujolais – Beaujolais Villages. Well not much needs to be said about the Village. I would suggest giving it a little chill before serving. Your guests will thank you for thinking of their comfort first and foremost. Food and wine are not to be taken lightly.

Languedoc Roussillon – Costières de Nîmes,  Chateau de Campuget Costieres de Nimes Rosé  2008. Light and dry, well balanced and delicate. This has gotten some rather nice reviews not only by people who make it their business to drink a lot, talk a lot and know a lot but from others as well. 

California – Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Chardonnay Reserve. This is a medium-bodied, rich white wine with toasty, vanilla, caramel, clove, apple, pear flavors. 

California – Stags’ Leap Napa Petite Syrah 2006, I like PS and don’t find them as pushy as many of the Syrah’s can be. This one is intensely fruity and juicy. Fun to have on the table and even more fun to drink until your under the table (but not necessarily.)

California – Sonoma, Fumé Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Ferrari-Carano. Light-bodied, dry white wine, with hints of citrus, melon and herbal/grassy notes, slight oak character giving the wine richness with a delicate creaminess.