Delicious, classy, and affordable

Delas Ventoux is a grenache-syrah blend from the Rhone region of France. Ventoux is an appellation in Southern Rhone, neighboring the likes of perhaps better-known Gigondas. The Delas family has been producing Rhone wines for over 100 years and have been in the wine business for nearly 200 years, veterans in their craft. Their wines are imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines, importers of many prestigious wines, such as Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne.

This lovely grenache-syrah blend is dark ruby to garnet in the glass, with a nose of blackberry, dark plum, tobacco, and cocoa. On the palate, the dark plum and cocoa flavors are most prominent, with dark cherry, and slight pepper-spice supporting. There are also ripe stone fruit and strawberry notes that show as the wine opens up. Body is medium, smooth, with mild acidity. Though the nose might suggest an intense, powerful wine, it is quite easy to drink.

Pair with stew, grilled meats, kabobs, and most other "meat and potatoes" dishes.

To have this much to say about a $10 bottle is really something. That is the result of nearly 200 years of wine industry experience. It's easy enough for any palate to enjoy, and quality enough for more discriminating palates. It also comes in Delas's trademark embossed bottle, which looks just as classy on a banquet table at your event as it does on the dinner table at home.