France is about to regain its place as the world’s leading wine producer, with an estimated volume of 46.2 million hectolitres in 2014 – i.e. one-sixth of global production, according to figures published by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV). This is a 10% increase in volume compared to 2013, a figure which must be assessed in relation to the relative decline in global production (of 6% compared to 2013). Wine production is France’s second-largest export sector, and it directly or indirectly employs more than 558,000 people. It is the agrifood sector with the largest surplus and the sector with the second-largest surplus overall, after aerospace and ahead of chemicals/perfumes. Some 30% of the wine produced in France is for export, 54% of this being to Europe. France’s main customers, in terms of value, are Britain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, Russia, Canada and Japan. Recognized for its quality, French wine is a significant source of attractiveness, as shown by the success of the wine tourism sector.

It attracts more than 10 million people a year to our regions, 39% of them foreign (mainly people from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and America). The sector is currently expanding, particularly under the impetus of local players, who organize attractive visits and diversify their offer by also arranging hikes, cellar visits, concerts and wine-tasting courses. Given the potential of this market, the French tourism development agency, Atout France, is increasing the number of initiatives to this end, under the label Vignobles Découvertes [Vineyards and Discoveries], which showcases destinations with a high-quality, comprehensive and relevant offer relating to the vineyard sector. The list of vineyards with this label is available on Atout France’s website: http://www.atout-france.fr/label-vignobles-decouvertesWine writer Peg Melnik perused the aisles and came up with a list of 8 wines and 2 beers that she would take a chance on, either because she trusts the brand or the region the grapes came from.

What’s to lose when the price is less than $10? 1. Cline, 2013 Sonoma County Syrah, $4.99. 2. Meridian Vineyards, 2010 California Red Blend, $2.99 3. Columbia Winery, 2009 Merlot $4.99. 4. Cycles Gladiator, 2012 Lodi Viognier, $3.99. 5. Steelhead Vineyards, 2012 Sonoma County Chardonnay, $6.99. 6. Rosso, Terre di Chieti Dry Red Wine, Italy, $3.99. 7. Long Barn, 2014 California Merlot, $4.99. 8. Indigo Eyes, 2013 California Cabernet Sauvignon, $5.99.best fruits with red wine 9. Lagunas IPA beer, $4.39.best box wine sweet 10. Bear Republic IPA beer, $4.39.top selling wine companies Peg Melnik's wine blog: Tasting Roombest wine to drink with indian food

A man I know said he routinely checks the wine merchandise at the Grocery Outlet on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, a good way for an everyday wine drinker to keep his budget in check. When I stopped in, I was surprised to find that about one fifth of the store is devoted to wine. The Santa Rosa Grocery Outlet is “among our top stores in variety of wines offered and also is one of the fastest growing in that regard, said Melissa Porter at the Emeryville headquarters.best wine to drink with indian food “I have a passion for wine, so I ramped up our wine department,” said Dave Herout, who has owned the store since 2013. best red wine gravy for roast beef“We’re in Wine Country, after all.” In recent years, Grocery Outlet has joined the ranks of other area grocers who take wine seriously, including G&G, Oliver’s, Pacific Market, Sonoma Market, and Big John’s in Healdsburg.

This chain of owner-operated grocery stores began in 1946 with a single market in San Francisco, buying discount factory seconds, closeouts and discontinued products and selling them at discounted prices. Private equity investor Berkshire Partners purchased a majority share of the company in 2009, and by the time investors Hellman & Friedman purchased the business in 2014, markets were located throughout California and Pennsylvania. In the North Bay, Grocery Outlet has stores in Willits, Ukiah, Clearlake, Lakeville, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Novato. Herout owned a Grocery Outlet in the Sacramento area but wanted to live in Wine Country, so he sold it when the Santa Rosa store opened up in November 2013. “Some people in their 20s drink beer and Jack Daniels,” Herout said, “but I was accustomed to drinking wine.” The store offers roughly 80 percent California labels, with 20 percent imports. Herout said the Grocery Outlet corporation has three wine buyers scouting for deals.

“While some wineries sell out quickly, others have excess wine from the last vintage when it’s time to release their new vintage,” said Cameron Wilson, the corporation’s director of wine, beer and spirits. “Those are the wines we seek out to buy at great prices, and then we pass those great savings on to our customers.” The wine buyers have great access to California wines, Wilson said, and because California also imports a lot of wine, they get great deals from France, Italy, Spain, South America, Australia, and other wine producing countries. At Herout’s store, you can see his passion for deals played out on the shelves. One example is the Cline, 2013 Sonoma County Syrah. It’s priced at $4.99, a $6 savings over non-discount store prices. One word of advice: Be wary of older vintages when bargain hunting. For whites, I only trust wines that date back two vintages, and with reds, typically five. That said, there’s plenty to explore in discount stores like this one.