Wines from the South of France

France is the home of wine culture. Anywhere around the Mediterranean Sea is the perfect wine-growing climate. Put the two together and you have ground zero for perfect wines.

The South of France encompasses the states of Roussilon, Languedoc and (on the other side of the Rhone River) Provence. The South of France is home to the world's largest wine-growing region, and in typical French style, the space is not always used efficiency. Efficient use of land would be to grow the grapes where the land is flat and row after row of vines could increase productivity. But that would make for boring grapes, which would make for boring wine. So the best of the Languedoc vineyards grow their grapes on hillsides, which gives them better sun. The Languedoc is known for its Carignans, Grenachess, Cisaults, Syrahs, Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons.

Provence is as far east in France as one can get without being in Italy. Provence is home to Mourvèdres, Grenaches, Cinsaults, Carignans, Syrahs and the Cannes Film Festival. All are utterly delicious with the exception of the last, which is undrinkable but much better too look at.