YAHOOOO I am fiiiinnnallly done with the France chapter of my studies. That’s not to say I won’t have to go back and study the crap out of it but it is nice to move on to Italy with words that are easier to pronounce. I have every intention of featuring more wine from French regions because there is good stuff to drink so don’t worry we will continue to sip our way to understanding the region, you will just start to see Italian wines in the mix as well.

Today I am featuring a classic Right Bank red from St. Emilion. St. Emilion is one of the most respected regions of the Right Bank in Bordeaux and is broken into two tiers of wine, Grand Cru and Premiere Grand Cru. To be designated either of these levels means the wine is made under higher viticultural standards. The wines with Premiere Grand Cru designation (currently only 16 in the entire region) can get incredibly expensive but the Grand Cru level can do a beautiful job of demonstrating the flavor profile of St. Emilion without breaking the bank. Think big red with wood, cherry, stems, saw dust and a very dry, very tannic finish. Pair with stews, red meat or anything with bold flavors that can stand up to a huge wine. Cheers!

Tertre du Moulin 2011, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France, $14.99 at TJ’s