Arrogant Frog 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Ribet Red ($9). None of the Dames particularly cared for this one — too simple and reliant on sweet, vanillin oak. Non, merci. (Drinks with Les Dames 06/06)

Barton & Guestier Bistro Wine 2005 Pinot Noir Vin de Pays d’Oc ($9). What a nice surprise this one was! A tasty little number — that actually tastes like a Pinot. With pretty, lithe red berry laced with mineral, clove and toast. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 10/07)

Chateau Lamargue 2003 Costières de Nîmes ($12). A great house red – perfect for everyday drinking and quite versatile with food. Offers juicy red berry fruit laced with earth, anise, tobacco and toasty oak. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, this is classic southern Rhone bargain red! Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 10/06)

Clos Poggiale 2005 Vin de Corse Red ($28). So easy to like, with concentrated but supple red berry and currant flavors that picks up chocolate, aromatic spices and toasty vanilla notes through the generous, bright finish. Delicious with an array of artisan salami and cheeses. Syrah and Nielluccio. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2010-03-17)

Domaine de NIzas 2004 Carignan Vielles Vignes Vin de Pays d’Oc ($16). Definitely the preferred red of the two, but all agreed that it needed more substantial food than the nibbles set before us. Deeply scented and concentrated, with black plum and berry fruit accented with black olive, sage and thyme. Something like a cold roast beef salad with blue cheese would work beautifully here. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Drinks with Les Dames 06/06)

Domaine des Blagueurs 1998 Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc Sirrah ($10). This is from Bonny Doon’s Euro Doon collection, and this year’s vintage is even better than the last. It is slurpably good, full of concentrated red currant and cherry fruit, with healthy dashes of white pepper, mocha, and earthiness. Nice finish. Really versatile with food. And you just can’t beat that price! We enjoyed it with barbecued chicken — outstanding! (Weekend Wine, 03/01)

Ey 2004 Grenache Vigne d’en Gaume Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes ($13). Smoky red cherry and berry aromas introduce meaty red cherry flavors laced with pretty spices, and a moderate, bright fruit finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 12/06)

Jacques et Francois Lurton

1999 Syrah Domaine de Salices le Bateaux ($8). Lurton is a good name to learn for widely available, affordable, good quality French wines. (We also like their Viognier!) This wine is the poster child of this issue’s ETFOFW. Medium-bodied with black cherry fruit balanced with spice and earthiness. Ready to drink now. (ETFOFW, 06/01)

1999 Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc Les Salices Vieilli en Futs de Chene ($8). Equally good quality as le Bateaux, but a different fruit profile. This one is bursting with berry and ripe red cherry fruit, with a bit more spicy oak on the finish. Ready to drink now. (ETFOFW, 06/01)

Labouré-Roi 2005 Merlot Vin de Pays d’Oc Petit Bistro ($9). Simple but completely quaffable, with dark plum and cherry flavors along with plenty of aromatic chocolate accents. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 03/07)

Pinot Evil NV Pinot Noir Vin de Pays de l’ile de Beaute ($20, 3-liter box). Light, simple, straightforward, fruity, with dark berry flavors, a touch of mocha, and a simple finish. Low tannins. Quaffable. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-09-18)

Red Bicyclette

Robert Skalli 2006 Pinot Noir South of France Reserve ($20). I recently tasted a variety of wines from this veteran French wine producer and his newly launched Skalli Family Wines Americas. There are wines from the Languedoc, the Rhone Valley and Corsica, and I thought this Pinot Noir was the surprise of the bunch. With appealing, food-friendly balance, black cherry and berry aromas and flavors, and touches of anise, mocha and herbal notes that linger on the firm finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-31)

Ted the Mule 2006 Syrah-Grenache Cotes du Ventoux ($9). Lipsmacking cherry and berry jam character, with light touches of spice and mineral. Fresh, fruity finish. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tasting 02/08)

Tortoise Creek 1999 Syrah-Mourvedre Vin de Pays d’Oc Les Amoureux ($7). A friend from New York introduced me to this wine. It is a classic bang for your buck ETFOFW choice. More body than you might expect for the price, this wine is full of concentrated currant and berry fruit with a peppery kick. Ready to drink now. (ETFOFW, 06/01)