We might not be French, but who doesn’t love celebrating Bastille Day, France’s national holiday? In the spirit of the revolution in which it commemorates, we thought we’d share some of our favorite French varietals to indulge in and to toast with. With such a large array of grapes to choose from, including Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, there is something to satisfy every palate. But since we’re in the throes of summer, how can we not also fawn over bottles of Champagne and a Provençal rosé?

Since most oenophiles have heard of Southern France’s Bordeaux region, we’ll skip over the wines that need to age properly due to the region’s signature tannins. Invest in a bottle that is ready to be enjoyed! Jean-Claude Boisset’s 2016 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Ursulines leaves an oaky, earthy, and cherry-like flavor on your palate—and the price isn’t bad. For a refreshingly delicious glass of champagne—historically created through a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier—can one really go wrong with Veuve Clicquot or Moët & Chandon? For a great Cabernet Franc, try the 2014 Olga Raffault Chinon Picasses—it’s earthy with notes of tobacco, cherries, and leather. In the northern Rhône region of France, steep slopes that face away from the northern winds, produce some of the most delicious wines, Syrah (or Shiraz) included. With hints of black currant, chocolate, and black raspberry, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing a bottle from the region. But if you really want to celebrate both our country and France, go for a bottle from Gruet Winery. Just like our company, it’s family owned and operated, though in New Mexico rather than Missouri. The best part? The wines are made through the Méthode Champenoise—a traditional French technique that gives sparkling wine its bubble through a laborious process of fermentation. It’s worth it!

Well, now that we’ve discussed wine, we highly recommend pairing your finds with some incredible French cheeses and a just-out-of-the-oven baguette. For those of you who went a little overboard on the wine purchases, or purchased wines that need to be properly aged, we have just the units. Our ultra-chic 30” Dual Zone Wine Column holds up to 150 bottles while our indoor/outdoor Undercounter Wine Cabinet holds 45. They’re not only designed to perfectly preserve your bottles with two independent zones with dual evaporators, but they exude style in spades. Both units are available in our large array of custom finishes and hardware options. À votre santé!