Oh, what to say about Beaujolais! We hear about it every November when we celebrate the release of Nouveau, but there’s so much more to be found. In exploring the Beaujolais wine region, if we were to travel a bit south of that famous windmill in Moulin-à-Vent, home to some extraordinarily concentrated wines, we may stumble across a little jewel known as Fleurie. Of the ten Beaujolais Crus, only Fleurie is called “Queen of Beaujolais.” I was under the impression that the name came from the soft and delicate nature of the wine (as it translates to “floral”). Nope! It appears to have come from a Roman legionary called Florus, who was said to have settled down in one of the hills overlooking the vines. This wine is definitively fresh, fruity, and light, with beautiful red fruit notes and floral aromas. Some of these are attributes of the Gamay grape, and others result from the whole cluster of carbonic maceration the wine underwent as part of its journey into the bottle. I recently recommended this as an exciting alternative to Pinot Noir to accompany a spicy dish. Still, it would be lovely chilled on its own or at room temperature, enjoying our final days before the season takes a turn cooler. 121623  

Cantal, Auvergne, France (Cow Milk)

Cantal is an exquisite French-Alpine cheese with a smooth and creamy interior. Cantal has been made hundreds of years, all the way back to the time of the Gauls – and has held AOC certification since 1956. Adhering to rigorous production standards, it is only harvested mid-November through mid-April, using only the milk of hay-fed Salers cows. Cantal shines on a cheeseboard, and is also delicious melted. Subtle flavor notes may range from nutty to herby, but Cantal provides a nicely neutral and mild complement to a flavorful red wine.

reg $19.99/lb SALE $14.99