Tonight we had a summer sampling to help simmer down this Texas heat wave! We started off with a refreshing Rose made from Grenache and Syrah grapes by Chateau de Fabregues. Costieres de Nimes is the most southerly appellation of the Rhone wine region. The wines of this area in southeastern France are among the oldest known wines in the world. Dry, balanced and satisfying with notes of stone fruits and minerals…a bargain at only $14. Next was a clean, crisp, full-bodied Chateau Roquefort White Bordeaux…normally $40, a great value found at Costco for $10! This tangy wine with citrus and apricot fruits is balanced and rich…full-bodied but fresh, this wine paired deliciously with a quick and easy cheese and fruit tray with rotisserie chicken. For dessert, we opened up one of our treasures we brought back from Cognac, France…a bottle of XO Gold from Baron Otard (with a stolen ice cream sandwich from the kids’ stash!) The world’s most famous brandy and related to Armagnac, this deep orange delectable liquid comes from western France, north of Bordeaux, and takes its name from the historic town of Cognac. Beautifully presented and expertly blended, this Cognac is nothing short of elegant with floral notes up front, followed by candied fruit, crushed nuts and spice.