L'Escarpolette is an ode to the old French comics where cruising around in a Citroen 2CV with a baguette hanging out the window would fit right in. The red wine version is like the comic is having its noir phase, dark and brooding with plenty of spice and perfect for moody days.

Origin: Rioja, in central-northern Spain. Mainly Grown In: All over Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and McLaren Vale and NE Victoria in Australia. Key Facts: Imagine taking the classic variety Tempranillo and darkening the fruit spectrum and polishing off some of the rustic edges. Making it whip smart, tightening things up and making it into a really flashy young thing? That's essentially what these blends are - they have the soul of Tempranillo, but they set off on a different path, a path that is equally delicious, just a little bit different. Loads of spicy, berry-fruit muskiness tied up with mouth-filling tannins. Sometimes richer, sometimes lighter, always good drinking. Fun Fact: Tempranillo got its name from the word "temprano" which means early. This is because the Tempranillo grape ripens earlier than many other Spanish grapes. It also makes it the perfect wine to open if you're a little early yourself and need to crack into a wine before 5pm.