Famille Laurent, Saint-Pourcain Rouge, 2024

Some appellations are so under-the-radar that half the fun is just saying the name. Saint-Pourcain sits in central France, in the Allier near the Auvergne, one of the oldest wine regions in the country and one you've almost certainly never seen on a list. The Laurent family blends Gamay and Pinot Noir grown on limestone, clay, and granite soils, ferments with native yeast, and ages it in neutral vats so nothing gets in the way of the fruit. The result is a light, bright, honest red that rewards a slight chill. This is a genuinely fun discovery for anyone who likes chasing wines off the beaten path.