FRENCH WINES OTHER REGIONS

Idee Folle translates to ?crazy idea?. This is an unusual blend of white wine grapes (Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) which has had an eau-de-vie added to halt fermentation, retaining the wine?s residual sugars.

This elegant red (100% Tannat) comes from 30 year old vines in the Madiran appellation, south-west France. The Chateau Aydie red is fine, elegant and complex on the nose, with a blend of black fruit and coffee aromas. A very rich attack is followed by a quite mature consistency and silky tannins. This is an exceptional Madiran, powerful and complex, with good ageing potential.

Fleshy, full bodied French red that is made from a blend of 70% Syrah with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, which include a portion of whole bunches in each variety's ferment prior to blending. The wine was fermented with natural yeasts and pumped over during fermentation. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it represents a minimal approach to winemaking and is a lithe, silky red with structure and weight to age for five to six years. 

Drinks superbly well now with game food and savoury flavours. 

Domaine Tempier is one of the great wine producers in the southern French appellation of Bandol where the late ripening Mourvedre grape rules the roost. This wine is a blend of 75% Mourvedre blended with Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah. Grapes are grown on a range of different soil types in the arid sunny climate of Bandol. The average vine age of grapes that went into this wine was 35 to 40 years old. All grapes were hand harvested then de-stemmed, crushed and fermented in concrete vats for three to four weeks with indigenous yeasts followed by maturation in large oak for 18 months before bottling. Drinks well now, if decanted, and can age for well over 10 years. 

Les Fondraux is semi-sweet: it always has some residual sugar, wich gives concentration and fullness to the palate. White flowers dominate the nose and help bring into focus all of the wine's freshness, fullness, minerality and vivacity. Whilst young, the wine matches perfectly with river fish, charcuterie, goat's cheese, and sweet-and-sour dishes. With age, the flavours can manage more spicy foods and white meat. - Champalou note.

100% Tannat aged in oak tuns and wooden tanks for 12 to 15 months. This wine is a deep, intense red. Elegant on the nose, with aromas of black fruits (blueberry and blackberry) dominating the hint of spice. A remarkable fullness on the palate, with tannic chewiness and unexpected roundness. The long finish has vanilla delicacy. A delightful wine, both powerful and elegant. It can easily be kept for 8 to 10 years. ? Chateau Aydie.

Pale pink rose from Provence. Aromas of citrus, red fruits and white flowers. Juicy and vibrant with refreshing acidity. This is a delicious, juicy summer wine.

Variety is the spice of life - this medium bodied red wine comes from a quirky region in France, namely Jura, situated between Burgundy and Switzerland. 

Rolet Arbois Rouge is made from Trousseau, a dark skinned grape that's indigenous to Jura. 

Minervois is one of the oldest, most fascinating southern French wine appellations and this wine is a gorgeous expression of powerful, lush, soft and structured dark red fruit flavours. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre lead the way here with spicy appeal, bold black plum flavours and multi dimensional layers of earthiness on the finish. An outstanding red for now or for the cellar. 

Southern French rose has a well earnt reputation for being the world's standard bearer when it comes to dry, light bodied pale coloured wines. This one ticks all the boxes of a great year round refresher. Its beautiful packaging just adds to the delicious allure. 

The delicate tropical fruit aromas (a proof of ripe Sauvignon grapes) and clean mineral and fruity palate testify to La C?te des Monts Damn?s' pedigree as an exceptional wine from one of the finest slopes in the Sancerre appellation. - Family Bourgeois.