Leydiers at Domaine de Durban are particularly proud of their Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, a vin doux naturel, as they are among the last to craft it in the traditional style.

It beckons you to follow Maxime-François’s advice: “Drink it when you are very, very thirsty!”

This dark, autumnal rosé is a beacon of tradition in a sea of paler styles.

We aimed for maximum drinkability: plenty of hedonistic purple-tinged fruit, along with a hint of wild herbs and lovely lavender and violet notes.

Rich fruitiness on the palate recalls ripe strawberries, and then notes of spice and licorice kick in for a full-bodied, full-flavored finish that marries beautifully with ratatouille or smoked pork chops.

This thirst-quenching, bright, and plummy red is enhanced with a little bit of chill and perfect for grillables.

This is about as quaffable as the region’s rouges get.

A relatively rare beast, Serge’s blanc is a ripe, honey-infused cornucopia of fruit.

Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.

Clairette, an unsung hero of the south, is the main grape here, undoubtedly one of many key elements to this singular wine.