Weekend Wine: Getting back to Beaujolais

(Image courtesy Georges Duboeuf)

George Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages 2011, $10-$13:  The Beaujolais wines have been stunning the past few vintages. So when’s the last time you reached for one? Whether for quaffing, for anything you cook on the grill, for kicking back with good French cheeses, preferably goat, this Beaujolais is the perfect pairing. The French like to give the bottle a chill, but it doesn’t need it. It’s intensely dark, accessible and packed with juicy black cherries, raspberries, black plums and dried cranberry flavors. Texture is smooth. Kroger has dropped the price to $10.99. It’s widely available: Look for it in the French section at major supermarkets.