When most people think of fine wine, the Tenderloin is probably not high on their list, unless they happen to be planning a Bev-Mo run. However, even in these shady byways and backalleys, culture has found a place to roost. Rather than a pub crawl, consider this an informative brochure of locations to be visited in the Examiner spirit of the Tour de France competition: while they tour the countryside, you'll be touring the stemware.

Jardiniere: Not only is this perhaps one of my favorite restaurants in all of San Francisco, but you simply cannot turn up your nose when it comes to their extensive wine selection. Their sommelier, Eugenio Jardim, has a penchant for unearthing new and exciting wines from little-known wineries on a smaller scale, which keeps their wine list interesting and ever changing. For white-lovers, they have a flavorful 2006 Burgundy from Château de la Maltroye, Chassagne-Montrachet, France. And red-lovers, you have reached your mecca, and probably can't go wrong no matter what you choose. Don't forget to order cheeses to top off your night of revelry - a number of those on their July cheese list are also hailing from across the pond.

Chez Papa: Don't let the jovial name fool you - you don't get to be the father of the house without knowing a thing or two about food and wine. Where most restaurants save their tastier vintages for bottle-buyers, Chez Papa has an extensive and striking availability of their French wines by the glass. While you may still want to opt for a bottle in a group, this means even a solo search will find satisfaction. Try their Mont. St. Emilion, from Château Faizeau in Bordeaux, 2002, or the more unusual Bourgogne, from Moulin Neuf, Danjean Berthoux. Especially exciting is a white wine on their glass list from the Loire Valley, a 2006 Pouilly Fumé out of Régis Minet, Vieilles Vignes. And of course, my recommendation that you indulge in their selection of artisinal cheeses holds strong.

Grand Cafe: Both a brasserie and bar, Grand Cafe lives up to its name with a beautifully sweeping, warm interior with unique orange-slice chandeliers and attentive staff. They have a Tour of Europe wine flight which takes you from Italy, to France, and lastly Spain, each choice more exceptional than the last. For a pleasant, crisp white, try their Pinot Blanc from Alsace, Cuvee les Amours. They also have a full-bodied, velvety Bordeaux from Chateau Coufran which can easily be the highlight of your evening.

Le Colonial: You will feel as though you've walked straight into Havana, rather than the French foothills, but Le Colonial's fusion cuisine compliments a secret obsession with French wine. The wine menu by the glass doesn't have as strong French presence to it as their bottle list, but their Gosset champagne is still worth a sip. However, from the extensive bottle list, they have a simply exquisite selection of whites from the Alsace region of France, as well as a surprisingly affordable bottle of Jean-Claude Boisset, a 2005 from Burgogne. The only thing more impressive than their reds, however, are their Rhone and Bordeaux selections, among them one of my personal favorites, a Cotes du Rhone Ortas, from Cave de Rasteau, 2007. And why else can't you go wrong here? Because, among the cheeses, they have a Camembert that is simply to die for.