"Our Mama Went to France and We Didn't Even Get A T-Shirt"

Guinness: It's good to be back on Broad Ripple soil.

Harp: Guinness, WE never left the hood. Our crazy mama is the one who spent 3 days in France.

G: I know, but our days with Stella and her dog whisperer dad were like being in paradise.

H: That's what mama said about her trip to Angers, France, where she spent time with Nicolas Joly. He's one of Europe's leading advocates of biodynamic wine.

G: Biodynamic wine?

H: It's another step up from organic. Winemakers are caretakers and work to balance the energies of the soil, light, humidity, and heat so that grape vines thrive. No chemicals, little machinery and appreciating what nature has to offer and letting nature do the work.

G: Mama's neighbors seemed to appreciate that bottle of Mr. Joly's wine they tasted at Thumbcat's house the other night.

H: It's hard to beat a natural treat, Guinness. That's why I love the ones the geese leave for us along the canal....

G: Yep. Biodynamic "Greenies".

H: Check out our picks from Clos de la Coulee de Serrant:

More information at: www.coulee-de-serrant.com

Some folks buy wine for the label. Others want a bottle under ten bucks. Most seek rich ripe fruit presented in a balanced blend of old and new world winemaking style. You get all three from HRM Rex Goliath Vineyards.

The Monterrey County California winery gets its name and label artwork inspiration from a vintage Texas circus banner featuring its star attraction a 47-pound bird billed as "the world's largest rooster".

HRM (His Royal Majesty) Rex Goliath drew quite a crowd when on display and the HRM wines should cause a similar reaction.

The vineyards are located in the Central Coast Appellation where wine and fog calm the heat of the sun, allowing grapes to stay on the vine longer and develop more intense flavors. Each of the varietals spend some time in oak barrels, but winemaker Adam LaZarre seems to know how long to ferment or age the juice so that all the reds and the sumptuous Chardonnay still offer fresh lingering varietal flavor from the first sip to the last. This balance of tannins, juice and acidity makes these wines great to enjoy with food.

The price won't fowl your budget either, as all bottles are under ten dollars.

HRM Rex Goliath 2003 Central Coast Chardonnay - Fresh nose of lemon peel, pear and soft smoky bacon. Silky, creamy, lush flavors of juicy Bartlett pear and ripe pineapple. Delicious! Try with baked salmon, Fettuccini Alfredo, Gouda or Swiss cheese fondue.

HRM Rex Goliath California Cabernet Sauvignon - Hearty and intense dry red with aromas of cedar and black berried fruits. Long lingering flavors of cherry, mocha and plum. Perfect red wine for red meat like prime rib, beef tenderloin, lasagna or a bacon cheeseburger.

HRM Rex Goliath California Merlot - Inviting nose of cedar and black cherry. Ripe round flavors of plum, wild cherries and vanilla. Subtly rich earthy flavors would enhance wild game dishes like duck, pheasant, roast chicken or turkey.