95% Malbec and 5% Merlot from Cahors in the south of France. This is a juicy and concentrated wine with ample fruit flavours. Notes of plums and cherries are supported by subtle spiciness and a distinct minerality. This is a great value wine from a lesser known appellation.

This lovely dry Sauvignon Blanc has delicious bright fruit flavours and a French-Kiwi connection as it is made in the Loire Valley, France, by a family that also owns a winery in Marlborough. 

Flavours here are remarkably aromatic on the nose with floral and fruit aromas of citrus, apple and gooseberry aromas with hints of passionfruit on the palate.

Mourvedre is a southern French grape (also known as Mataro in Spain) and is known for its dark delicious chocolatey flavours and aromas of mocha, earth and bold black fruit ripeness. 

The late ripening Mourvedre grape is typically used as a blending grape but here it stands alone in a spicy, smooth, soft and fruity red. 

Country / Région:
France.

Color:
Light gold with silver & lasting fine bubbles.

Nose:
Pleasant fresh white Flower notes, typical of Chardonnay with seductive notes of fruit aromas.

Palate:
Dancing freshness with lots of vitality. The wine greets your palate with grapefruit zest with a touch of minerality.

Soil type:
Clay and limestone.

Grape varieties:
Chardonnay.

Vinification:
First fermentation in stainless steel tanks with temperature control to protect the delicate primary aromas of the Chardonnay. Light ageing on fine lees to perfect the structure of the wine and the base bubble. Then the “prise de mousse” is done in sparkling tanks with temperature control of 18-20° to create a fine texture, to reach a depth with a lot of aromatic sparkle at a pressure of 2.5 bars.

Alcohol:
12% Vol.

A gorgeous wine, made with 40% Syrah, 35% Carignan, 15% Grenache Noir & 10% Marselan (a cross between Grenache & Cabernet Sauvignon) showing just what old vines can do when they find themselves in the right soils (in this case limestone terrace overlaid with gravel).

The Carignan grapes undergo semi-carbonic maceration whilst the Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes are destemmed and fermented at a temperature of 28 ° C for 14 days. Malolactic fermentation and ageing takes place in stainless steel to retain freshness of flavour.

The result is rich, juicy and fruit forward with aromas of white pepper, cassis, violets, and sage. Lush and decadent, with a lingering chocolate-raspberry finish.

Tasting notes:

Straw gold yellow. Fine and elegant nose mixing white fruit aromas (pear, quince) with vanilla notes. Fruit driven on the palate, the attack is fresh, followed by a round and supple texture. Flattering oaky notes appear on the aftertaste.

Food matches:

White meat, poultry, salads and pasta.

Winemaking: Night and morning harvest. Gentle crushing of the grapes – short maceration on the skin (between 6 and 12 hours) in order to get aromatic complexity – light pressing – pre-fermenting oxygenation of one part of the Chardonnay to keep freshness – controlled Alcoholic fermentation in vats (18-20°C / 65-68°F)

Soil: A wide variety of soils such as sand, clay, chalk, schist, gravel and pebbles.
Climate: Selection of vines located in the coolest areas of the Languedoc region near Limoux (wide temperature range between cool nights and warm days) and in the Gard region where the weather is warmer. The wine combines the strength and the freshness of the Limo
Aging: Maturation with stirring of the lees.

Les Jamelles Clair de Rose is a blend of two red grape varieties, Grenache and Cinsault. The combination creates a clean, dry and refreshing southern French rose with floral and fruity flavours in a rounded, medium bodied style. Cool temperature fermentation in stainless steel tanks retails fruity flavours and is finished in a dry style. 

The grapes in this wine come from two distinctly different areas; the Herault Valley's sloping vineyards where the warm Mediterranean climate provides consistently sunny conditions and outstanding ripeness, along with the Narbonne, where sandier soils provide rich flavours and balance. 

Drink with a classic food match of melon and prosciutto on a sunny day or serve alongside salami and antipasto any time of year as a refreshing aperitif wine. 

* Les Jamelles is owned by winemakers Catherine and Laurent Delaunay, who founded their wine brand in the early 1990s.

This is a fabulous little French Chenin Blanc from Vouvray - queen of the Loire Valley appellations (wine areas) devoted to Chenin. Flavours here run the gamut of delicious lemony fruity flavours in an off dry. Florals, citrus and peach on the nose feed into a similar profile on the palate, with further white flowers and honey notes.

Pair with fish and lightly spiced Asian cuisine.

The sunny coastal terroir of southern Languedoc is perfect for crisp whites like Picpoul. This is a fresh and crisp Picpoul with great concentration and depth of flavour. Aromatic and fresh, with notes of pear and citrus on the nose. The palate brings a touch of minerality and lime-like acidity. The finish is persistent, with a distinct aniseed flavour. Picpoul is a perfect match for seafood or light Mediterranean foods.

Domaine Fazi rosé is translucent, airy and pale in appearance with a very subtle nose, slightly fruity, slightly spicy, with fine and elegant aromas. On the palate, it is fresh and reveals a persistent finish and perfect balance with notes of papaya, citrus and red summer berries.

35% Sciaccarellu, 30% Merlot, 25% Grenache and 10% Cinsault

Vouvray is a French wine appellation devoted to the great Chenin Blanc grape, which is expressed vibrantly in this gorgeously fresh and light bodied but intensely flavoursome white wine. Its high acidity and expansive fresh flavours make Chenin Blanc one of the most versatile wines with its bold and bright lemon, honey and floral aromas. High acidity adds length and backbone to the palate of this lovely wine. 

The history, mystery of a long established winery

The Domaine Marc Bredif winery is one of the great names of the Loire. The estate has enjoyed a long and colourful history, having been established in 1893 under the original name of Château les Roches. In 1919, not long after the end of the First World War, Marc Bredif took over from his Uncle and renamed the property to mark the change of ownership. His focus was simple, to forge an unrivalled reputation for excellence amongst the estates of the Loire Valley.
He invested heavily in the estate during the 1930’s, building a tremendous circular storage room in the heart of its cellars, which today houses venerable vintages of sweet Vouvray, some of which date back to the 1900’s. The property managed to survive the Second War World War relatively unharmed and remained under family control until the 1980’s. As is so often the case, family intrigue and financial necessity meant that the Domaine had to be sold, and in 1980 Baron Patrick de Ladoucette acquired the estate. Thankfully, the Baron was every bit the conscientious owner and has given new life to Marc Bredif – investing heavily and expanding their holdings to include some of the most prized Vouvray vineyards – 20 hectares in total. Picking exclusively by hand, the Domaine produces some of the most profound and immortal expressions of Chenin Blanc, in a range of styles to suit all wine lovers.

Biodynamic. 

100% Cabernet Franc. 

Germain’s calling card is drawn from the domaine’s many parcels in Saumur. These varied sites grow on tuffeau/limestone soils around the communes of Varrains, Chaintres, Dampierre and Saumur. The vines range from 10 to 70 years old (with the average at around 30) and include the domaine’s ‘home’ vineyard, Le Clos, a site ploughed by the family’s Ardennais draft horse. Germain harvests by hand, employs cold soak infusion for some parcels and carries out the wild yeast fermentation and maturation mostly in tank. Aside from a minor 10 ppm SO2 at bottling, the wine sees no additions. Packed with youthful Saumur joie de vivre, this is a pure, elegantly floral red with perfumed dark cherry, anise and graphite notes and a juicy, supple, mouthwatering personality that pairs beautifully with cheese, paté, pork chops and roast chicken. In other words, the perfect bistro wine (that goes with every course)! The colour of the label this year is a kind of bluish slate.

A lovely little bubbly from the Loire Valley made with a mix of Chenin Blanc and  Ugni Blanc. A vibrant fine bead is balanced with keen acidity, abundant fruit and a long crips and dry finish. Happiness in a bottle at a great price.