French Wine

A bone-dry but delicious wine, with red fruits and a beautiful onion-skin color that just hints at rosé. Lovely acidity completes the serious and highly enjoyable wine.

Appearance: A radiant yellow crystalline appearance with golden glints brought to life by a luminous bead of persistent fine bubbles. Aroma: There is an olfactory impact due to the richness of harmonious expressions (dry fruits, fresh citrus and white fruits) coupled with finely buttered seductive notes. A defined aromatic undertone which expresses the mature complexity linked to the vinification in oak barrels. Palate: The caressing and refreshing texture enhances the creamy sensation, dominated by a beautiful bracing vivacity. A burst of flavours (notes of grilled brioche, toffee) thanks to the distinguished power and maturity of the great wines of Champagne.

A big boy with almost fleshy fruit. The flavors push into exotic, tropical richness yet retain spicy citrus-rind highlights. There is nothing clumsy, despite the ripeness; the finish seems to extend almost infinitely and keeps zinging you with surprises-marshmallow, marzipan, cookie dough, etc.

This sampler includes one bottle each of the following wines:

2011 Cave de Lugny - Mâcon-Villages La Côte Blanche ($9.99 on sale; reg., $11.99)

2011 Cave de Lugny - Mâcon-Lugny Les Charmes ($13.99 on sale; reg., $16.99)

2011 Manciat-Poncet - Mâcon-Charnay Les Chênes ($13.99 on sale; reg., $15.99)

2011 Remoissenet - Mâcon-Villages ($12.99 on sale; reg., $14.99)

Dubonnet is the nation's top selling aperitif, with a long and storied history that is enjoying renewed popularity as consumers return to classic cocktails. Dubonnet was once the preferred beverage of the French Foreign Legion. Today, Dubonnet is available internationally in both Rouge and Blanc varieties and is a key ingredient in classic drinks such as the Dubonnet Cocktail and the Dubonnet Kiss. In the words of master mixologist Dale DeGroff, with its rich ruby color, spicy aroma and refreshing flavors, Dubonnet embodies the best of the aperitif category.

Refined, with a sweet, smoky undercurrent to the flavors of glazed pear, candied lemon zest and golden raisin, with a hint of marzipan. Racy acidity frames?but doesn't dominate'the wine, with a spicy note lingering on the finish.