Hailing from the unheard backwaters* of Bordeaux and Champagne, this auction lot offers a chance to sample some of the best-known wines of France.

Bordeaux is what the early pioneers of California winemaking were often aspiring towards. At its heart, a Bordeaux is a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The exact proportions are dependent upon several factors; geography, tradition, weather and choice are but a few.

Château Brondelle Grand Vin Rouge features a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon than Merlot and a kiss of Petit Verdot. The wine is very pretty in the glass, which is important for Instagram photos. It happens to taste pretty good as well, with a nice concentration of fruit, a velvety texture and enough tannin to keep things interesting. Not as interesting as a clown riding a bicycle on a high-wire with no net, but it will certainly make the Netflix show you are binging a little bit better.

Champagne Devaux Grande Réserve. Crafted mostly from Pinot Noir, this champagne features peach, apricots, and flowers. The style is more of a fruity one than bracing and mineral.

Lily Bollinger (James Bond's favorite champagne) has properly stated the importance of the beverage:

"I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it -- unless I'm thirsty."

*This is sarcasm and, of course, totally backwards. These are probably the two most famous wine regions in France and possibly the world. Tongue in cheek doesn't always play nice with the internet, hence this valuable PSA.