THE WINE LIST
February 2012

WHITE WINES

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La Fleur de Mondésir, Bergerac Sec, 2010
A pale coloured dry white with a light "citric" nose and a fresh character. Made from Sauvignon and Sémillon, this is clean and crisp and offers fantastic value. Best served with light food.

Le Petit Pont, Réserve, Vin de Pays d'Oc, 2010
A very attractive dry white wine made from Vermentino and Chardonnay in the Languedoc. The wine has a vivacity and a fresh aroma of white fruits. It is really refreshing and makes easy drinking. Extra-ordinary quality at such a sensible price!

Chardonnay, Les Hauts de la Jousselinière (Loire), 2010
A light unoaked Chardonnay which is fresh and fruity. Anyone who thinks they don't like Chardonnay could well be pleasantly surprised by this!

Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine, Sur Lie, Le Fleuron, Chéreau-Carré (Loire), 2010
Chéreau Carré is one of the best producers of Muscadet. This is a bone-dry wine that has a zingy lemony freshness about it, without the acidity that so many Muscadets can have. Also, having been made "sur lie", the wine has more body and spiciness. This wine is of high quality and offers great value.

Château Mylord, Entre-Deux-Mers (Bordeaux), 2010
Fresh, fruity but dry white wine from this area in southern Bordeaux. The wine is a good all-rounder for parties, being dry but with enough fruit to be likeable to those who prefer something sweeter. If you enjoy Pinot Grigio, you'll enjoy this.

Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Morin Langaran (Languedoc), 2010
Bone dry but with plenty of smoothness and body - the perfect accompaniment to fish and white meat. One of the best of its type and best when enjoyed young and fresh. From around Agde.

Sauvignon de Touraine, Domaine Octavie (Loire), 2010
A stylishly crisp dry but fruity wine that is so much better value than Sancerre, a few miles further east! This wine is not at all acidic, but is full of fruit - a fine testament to Sauvignon, and may be enjoyed with or without food. It's easy to see why this is our most popular dry white wine. (UK:£7.99)

Riesling, Emile Kugler (Alsace)
This Riesling from Alsace is dry and has the perfumed and slightly musky character that makes this grape so popular with aficionados. Good with stronger flavoured fish and white meat. This is a good reliable example at a great price.

Bourgogne Aligoté, Bailly-Lapierre (Burgundy), 2009
Aligoté is the "other" grape of Burgundy and produces a wine with more freshness than that produced from the Chardonnay. It is very dry. This is produced in the Chablis area and is an excellent example at a very reasonable price.

Viognier, Domaine de Lascours (Languedoc), 2010    
A light but aromatic dry wine that is really refreshing. A deliciously grapey example from this exciting winery in the Pic Saint-Loup area. Good Viognier is seldom cheap, but this wine offers super value.

Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise, Buissonier, Vignerons de Buxy (Burgundy), 2007
The Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise appellation has recently been created to answer the demands for decent quality Burgundy at attractive prices. This wine is made by the Cave de Buxy, arguably the area's leading co-operative. A delicious, fresh lemony style of Chardonnay - light yet full of fruit. Great value for the quality.

Sauvignon Saint-Bris, Bailly-Lapierre (Burgundy), 2010
This is the only Sauvignon allowed in the Burgundy area and this specific example has the minerality of a good Chablis whilst having the freshness of the Sauvignon. It is grown just outside Chablis and is fresh and dry but has more softness than most Sauvignons. Fruity and easy to appreciate.

Pinot Blanc, Tradition, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2009
A refreshing dry wine with a grapey softness on the nose and in the mouth, showing off one of the less aromatic styles of Alsace wines. Lovely and easy to appreciate chilled, either by itself or with lighter food. It's especially good and versatile when served at large occasions such as weddings.

Château de Sours (Bordeaux), 2010
A delightful fresh "grapey" dry wine made from lightly oaked Sauvignon and Semillon. Another high quality wine from this great château just outside Saint-Emilion. This wine has delicious exotic fruit flavours and impresses easily: it tastes much more expensive than it is in reality.

Mâcon-Solutré-Pouilly, Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud (Burgundy), 2010
This will bowl you over with its fresh grapey character - we haven't tasted a Mâcon as good as this in years - and at such a good price. We used to list Louis Latour's Mâcon-Lugny but our customers feel that our Mâcon is both better and cheaper. Highly recommended and easy to appreciate.

Saint-Véran (Burgundy), 2010
A fuller and very smooth, yet juicy unoaked Chardonnay fruit from the Pouilly Fuissé area. Compare this against other Saint-Vérans and we don't think you'll find one of better value. Delicious.

Château Marie du Fou, Blanc, Fiefs Vendéens-Mareuil (Loire), 2010
A glorious barrel-fermented wine from the Vendée made from 70% Chenin Blanc and 30% Chardonnay. This beautifully presented wine is light but full of grapey flavour with a remarkably long finish. Good to enjoy now but with time, this wine will become increasingly complex and interesting.

Reuilly, Domaine de Reuilly (Loire), 2010
A zingy alternative to Sancerre at an attractive price. Made exclusively from Sauvignon: full of fruit, almost in the style of a New Zealand Sauvignon. The village of Reuilly is not far from Quincy, another fine producer of Loire Sauvignon.

Muscat Sec, Cuvée Augustin, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2009
Muscat gives a delightful orange-like fragrance to its wines. This fine example is grapey and refreshing - especially when served chilled with light summer dishes.

Chablis, Henri de Villamont, 2008    
Henri de Villamont based outside Beaune nowadays produces high quality wines with genuine flavours or "goût de terroir". This wine has the "minerality" of a classic Chablis but it also has a deliciously full dry fruitiness on the palate, with a very long aftertaste. If you like good Chablis, you will love this.

Ménétou-Salon, Le Prieure de Saint-Céols (Loire), 2009
Ménétou made its name some years ago as the less well known neighbour to Sancerre at a lesser price. Nowadays Ménétou wines can be of about the same price so they need to have the quality to support this status. This excellent example is crisp and fresh and still represents exceptional value.

Château d'Antugnac, Terres Amoureuses (Limoux), 2009
One of the most delicious wines we have discovered recently: a Chardonnay from Limoux, famous for its quality sparkling wines, that has been fermented and aged in new oak, thereby giving exotic fruit flavours, without being at all heavy. This domaine is receiving accolade after accolade for producing seriously good wine at remarkably fair prices. You can enjoy it at any time and we believe you will come back for more.

Rully, Plantenay, Vignerons de Buxy (Burgundy), 2007
A good quality, soft, fresh yet flavoursome dry white from the Côte Chalonnaise in southern Burgundy. This wine is delicious and offers excellent value.

Montagny, Premier Cru, Les Coères, Vignerons de Buxy (Burgundy), 2006
Montagny is another of the four main wine producing villages in the Côte Chalonnaise and produces lighter styles of dry white wine from the Chardonnay grape. Buxy produces the majority of all Montagny and this Premier Cru is full of dry flavour and is of excellent quality. Good for your special entertaining.

Gewürztraminer, Cuvée Tradition, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2009
A really good example of Gewurztraminer: fragrant but dry with an aroma reminiscent of lychees. Delicious, refreshing and different - it even goes well with exotic food. Superb value.

Pinot Gris, Cuvée Bénédicte, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2009
This grape used to be known as the Tokay of Alsace, then more recently the Tokay Pinot Gris. Faller makes some lovely refreshing wines. Here, a powerfully grapey, almost sweet smelling, aroma precedes a dry flavour, creating an alluring paradox. Although possibly a little too powerful for fish or shellfish, this wine will marry perfectly with exotic food or even, foie gras

Riesling, Trottacker de Ribeauvillé, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2009
Faller is based in the picturesque town of Ribeauvillé, where many of Alsace's best Rieslings are produced. Fabulous: from argilo-calcareous subsoil, this wine is bone dry but with plenty of typical Riesling flavour. We always compare Faller's wines very favourably against Trimbach's - but at so much better value. This wine is of a Grand Cru quality.

Pouilly Fumé, Domaine Tabordet (Loire), 2010
This wine from the village of Pouilly-sur-Loire is just how it should be - dry, light and fresh Sauvignon fruit with a hint of spiciness. This is an immediately impressive wine from this small family producer.

Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Les Dames Huguettes, Domaine Faiveley (Burgundy), 2008
Made from grapes taken from north west of Beaune, this high quality Burgundy has a lovely minerally and slightly oaked style. It is a great wine for dinner parties when you don't need to break the bank in order to leave a good impression on your guests.

Montlouis Sec, Les Dix Arpents, Domaine de la Taille aux Loups (Loire), 2010
Jacky Blot is an extra-ordinarily passionate man - recently named best winemaker of the Loire. He has put the village of Montlouis, next to Vouvray, on the wine map. All his wines are fabulous but this dry Montlouis is a revelation - light but packed full of dry grapey character. They age well too. Super with light food.

Sancerre, Domaine Franck Millet (Loire), 2010
Sancerre wines tend to have a little more softness than those of Pouilly Fumé, made from the same Sauvignon grape. Franck Millet takes responsibility and pride for every bottle of wine that leaves his premises. This is a gem, being full of dry Sauvignon fruitiness, but "soft and smooth" are the key words here.

Bourgogne Chardonnay, Les Sétilles, Domaine Olivier Leflaive (Burgundy), 2009
This is the superior Chardonnay from Leflaive with a delightful elegant lemony freshness and a lingering aftertaste. 60% of the grapes come from Puligny-Montrachet and 40% from Meursault. A delight!

Rully, Les Villeranges, Domaine Faiveley (Burgundy), 2009
The highly reputed house of Faiveley is one of Burgundy’s best and most reliable winemakers. This superior wine from the village of Rully is really very elegant, and has a lovely complexity of fresh mineral flavours backed by a light oaking. Not at all expensive for such quality. Absolutely delicious.

Pouilly Fuissé, Cuvée Vieilles Vignes,
Domaine Pascal & Mireille Renaud (Burgundy), 2010
Gorgeous, Outstanding, Delicious - how many more superlatives can we use about this wine to get the message across that we love this specific wine? This well made wine is very grapey and is also slightly oaked and has the capacity to go on for years, and is bound to really impress your guests.

Montlouis Sec, Rémus, Domaine de la Taille aux Loups (Loire), 2010
A near-perfect fine dry wine made from 20 year old Chenin Blanc vines by the Loire’s "greatest winemaker", Jacky Blot. This unusual wine has a truly "grapey" aroma - perfect with lighter food or simply delicious by itself. This wine changes with age, becoming fuller and more complex and for our taste, it’s at its best between 5 and 10 years of age, although it can easily last 30 years. This is great wine.

Gewürztraminer, Vieilles Vignes, Les 3 Coteaux,
Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2008
Faller has prime vineyards around Ribeauvillé and has taken here grapes from old vines on three of his Grand Cru hill sites. This is a very special Gewürztraminer - with a powerful fruity aroma, it is very grapey, off-dry and rich in style. Amazing for its price. Enjoy!

Mercurey, Clos Rochette, Domaine Faiveley (Burgundy), 2007
A fine richer style of Burgundy, containing minerally flavours backed with a little oak. From Chardonnay vines with an average age of 30 years. Clos Rochette is one of Faiveley's "monopoles" and whilst Mercurey is better known for its reds than its whites, this is a seriously well-made white that rivals a good wine from the Côte de Beaune.

Saint-Aubin, Premier Cru, En Remilly, Domaine Mazilly (Burgundy), 2009
This wine is a gem. In our view, En Remilly is the most attractive of the white wines from the Saint-Aubin appellation. This example is decidedly underpriced for its quality and compares most favourably with wines from "greater" or well-known producers. This is very fine wine by any standards, with a subtle balance of oak and fine minerally white Burgundy flavours. Great to impress your guests without breaking the bank.

Gewürztraminer Kirchberg, Grand Cru, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2007
This is a "pièce de resistance" from Faller who own some of the greatest vineyards in Ribeauvillé. This wine is off-dry but has a fine balance of fruit, spiciness and finesse. A Grand Cru in every sense.

Saint-Romain, Domaine Alain Gras (Burgundy), 2009
Alain Gras is the acknowledged "king" of Saint-Romain wine making, and we are told that his wines are found in every Michelin three starred restaurant in France. His is the classic white Burgundy that is made to age. His wines are made from 40 year old vines, fermented and partly matured in cask and then bottled after 12 months. This wine is fabulous now and will keep improving for another year at least.

Riesling Geisberg, Grand Cru, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2008
Grand Cru Alsace production is tiny - with low yielding vines of the highest quality. This is a delectable, dry fruity Riesling that makes really refreshing drinking. Probably best served with a meal, this is an impressive wine by any standards but at this price, it's also a bargain. Limited stock remaining of this rare wine.

Meursault, Les Meurgers, Domaine Mazilly (Burgundy), 2009
This is a great value wine from a single vineyard within the Meursault appellation, produced by a small family grower. Good to enjoy for another five years, this wine has the slightly "nutty" character that we believe one should expect from a decent Meursault.

Les Vaillons, Vieilles Vignes, Premier Cru Chablis, Domaine Laroche (Chablis), 2007
One of Chablis’ great Premier Crus, and also made by a top producer from old vines giving the wine more intensity. Classically dry. For those special occasions!

Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc, Domaine Jean Royer (Rhône), 2010
This is still young but already you can taste several different layers reminiscent of apricots and exotic fruits. This dry and spicy wine will go on to be a masterpiece - and it will be very long lasting.

Vin Jaune, Domaine André Bonnot (Côtes du Jura), 2002        62cl
Consistently a medal winner, this is an excellent example of the rare Vin Jaune. The wine is made unusually, from late harvested Savagnin grapes and then matured and oxidised in barrels under a film of yeast. The wine, bottled in a 62cl "pot", has a taste reminiscent of a fino sherry and is very long lived.

Meursault, Clos du Vieux Château, Château de Citeaux (Burgundy), 2008
Château de Citeaux, the original home of the Cistercian monks in Burgundy, makes classic Meursault: smooth and slightly "nutty" in style. This is of a Premier Cru quality, but without the usual price tag. It is magnificent - a real pleasure to drink, offering excellent value for a wine of such high quality.

Pinot Gris, Vendanges Tardives, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2004
This is what Alsace does so well. In occasional years, grapes left late on the vine are attacked by Botrytis Cineria, leaving concentrated grape sugars. This wine with, its perfumed aroma is curiously refreshing and not at all cloying. As with so many sweet wines, once the bottle has been opened, the wine will last for weeks if stored in the fridge. A miracle wine!

Condrieu, Les Mandouls, Domaine Ferraton Père & Fils (Rhône), 2009
Condrieu is the rare aromatic white wine made from a low-yielding variety of the Viognier grape. It has an aroma of melon and white fruits and is medium bodied but dry on the palate. At the moment, the wine has an attractive freshness and it can develop and broaden out in texture over the next few years.

Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Les Champs Gains, Château de Citeaux (Burgundy), 2009
Exquisite - this specific wine is one of the finest white Burgundies you could wish to taste, and shows off everything that is so great about these top white wines. Very elegant, with a long fresh fruity style backed with a tiny amount of new oak. Complex, classy and, quite simply, delicious.

Château de Fieuzal, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan (Bordeaux), 1998
Pessac-Léognan is a sub-region of Graves. This "big" wine is made from 50% Sauvignon and Sémillon fermented on their lees, and partially aged in oak. An exquisite dry and rich tasting white wine that would be spectacular at dinner and that might even eclipse your food!

Gewürztraminer Kirchberg, Grand Cru, Séléction de Grains Nobles, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 1989
A lusciously sweet masterpiece from Faller who own some of the greatest, Grand Cru, vineyards around Ribeauvillé. A bottle of this will astound you with its balance of power, fruit, sweetness - and of course, its finesse! Monsieur Faller compares it with Château Suduiraut in Sauternes!

RED WINES

Combe de Lauran, Minervois, 2010
As one might expect from the Minervois appellation, this wine has a full, rich and slightly earthy texture that makes it so good to go with richer foods. This wine is very fruity and offers easy drinking and great value.

Le Petit Pont, Réserve, Vin de Pays d'Oc, 2010
This extra-ordinary wine is made from Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon. With an appealingly full and juicy red fruit flavour, this is a great example of the new quality of wine coming from the Languedoc. And with its stylish presentation, this is a wine at low cost that will grace any dinner table.

Côtes du Rhône, Baron Daniel de Martinay (Rhône), 2010
A lighter style of soft fruity red wine from the Côtes du Rhône that is made predominantly from soft and slightly spicy Grenache. From a respectable year, this wine has a gentle fruity flavour and is easy to appreciate. Good, honest and well-priced.

Merlot, Lascours Winery, Pic Valley (Languedoc), 2010
This is what Merlot should be: mid-weight with a beautifully rich and juicy flavour and a dry finish. Lascours has prime vineyards in the Pic Valley of the Languedoc, and we reckon this wine is several cuts above the rest and offers fantastic value. Delicious to drink now.

Ventoux, La Claretière, Pierre Amadieu (Rhône), 2010
For some time, we have been searching for a decent Côtes du Ventoux at a sensible price. When these wines are good, they tend nowadays to be too expensive in our view. Otherwise they are mass-produced bland wines. However, here we have found a wine that is cherry red and full of gorgeous juicy succulent fruit.

Fitou, Réserve Saint-Estève (Fitou), 2010
The area of Fitou in the Languedoc makes its reds from Carignan, Grenache and Syrah - grapes that give soft generous flavours. An easy drinking, slightly spicy red that we'd suggest shows at its best when served with red meat or cheese. Leave this open for an hour and it develops a smooth silky texture. A silver medal winner.

Lubéron, La Ciboise, Grenache/Syrah, M. Chapoutier (Rhône), 2010
We normally find that Chapoutier wines no longer offer such value. However this wine makes an exception with its fresh fruitiness derived from the two Rhône stalwarts Grenache and Syrah. Until recently this wine was labelled as Coteaux du Tricastin. Overtly fruity with a little "Rhône spiciness". For enjoying now.

Château Massamier la Mignarde, Tradition (Minervois), 2011
This domaine has received numerous accolades including Best Wine of the World in International Wine Challenge's category Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre! Made from these three grape varieties, this wine has a soft rich style but manages to remain fresh and has a brambly aroma of red fruits, herbs and spices from the warm south. To be enjoyed now and over the next three years. It pleases easily.

Château Mylord, Bordeaux Rouge (Claret), 2008       Magnums 2006 at 12,80€
Typical Claret: soft and fruity with a long dry finish. From a respectable year, this red wine from the Entre Deux Mers region is ready to drink now but we believe it will remain good for another three years.

Syrah, Domaine Bassac, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thongue, 2010       ORGANIC
Good Syrah is not easy to find at a sensible price. Organic Syrah: even more so. We have found from the Hérault area this gorgeous wine with its purity of soft juicy, almost jammy, fruit. It seems to us as full and smooth (and good value) as Rioja used to be. Easy to appreciate.

Château de Nages, Réserve (Costières de Nîmes), 2009
A juicily fruity red made from Syrah and Grenache in the Costières de Nimes area close to the Rhône. This, their superior Réserve wine, is highly recommended by us for easy drinking with or without food.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Domaine Bassac,
Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thongue, 2009      ORGANIC
A wonderful new addition to our list. A wine that is full of firm Cabernet fruit that appears to have been softened in oak, to be almost soft and juicy. We believe that this organic example will demonstrate to you just how a wine that is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon can still be deliciously fruity.

Côtes du Rhône, Les Caprices d'Antoine, Ogier (Rhône), 2009
A gorgeous new wine: full of soft juicy Grenache that is worthy of a much higher price. This is a top of the range wine that we feel confident you will enjoy. From the producer of Clos de l’Oratoire Châteauneuf du Pape, this is great wine from a highly sought year.

Château de Lascours, Nobilis, Pic Saint-Loup (Coteaux du Languedoc), 2009
Lascours' special "Nobilis" blend is made from 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre, so the wine has complex aromas of wild spices, fruits and tannins. From the château's 35 hectares on sandy-chalky soil in the Pic Valley, this is a stunning wine and we hope you, too, will love it.

in wooden casesChâteau Fauré Beauséjour, Fronsac (Claret), 2006
One could say that the wines of Fronsac offer wine lovers the taste of good honest Bordeaux, without the higher prices attained in other better known areas. They’re for enjoying, not for investing in! This is an excellent example - full, rich and smoothly fruity. To enjoy now and over the next three years.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Côte Chalonnaise, Buissonnier, Vignerons de Buxy (Burgundy), 2009
A Pinot Noir of excellent value, being from the new Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise appellation in southern Burgundy. This wine has the lighter Pinot character that is so typical of this southern area of Burgundy. Whilst good to enjoy now, it also has the potential to mature if you are patient enough to wait a few months.

Brouilly, Domaine de Chêne (Beaujolais), 2011
Comte Philippe de la Poype produces real Beaujolais - wines that are smooth and full of juicy Gamay fruit. This example is full of rich fruit and you may be surprised by the "depth" of this wine. From the best of recent years, this is a star. Serve at room temperature or slightly cooled to reveal its refreshing qualities.

Château Tour Bicheau, Grand Vin de Graves (Claret), 2009       Magnums @ 19,00€
A lovely rich, fruity claret with a dry finish that actually has some of that Graves character that can be lacking in so many of the modern wines from this region. Quite excellent with food - and hugely popular with our aficionado customers!

Cèdre Héritage (Cahors), 2010
This is a "great" wine made from Malbec. It has the Cahors classic full and dark style, but unlike some wines from this area, it is approachable now - thanks to its sheer fruit and rounded tannins. It's a wine that could last for years but it can certainly be enjoyed now with richer foods such as full-flavoured cheeses or patés.

Morgon, Corcelette, Comte Philippe de la Poype (Beaujolais), 2010            H
One of our favourite reds: juicy and silky in texture, this is a great and seriously underpriced wine made from Gamay. Corcelette is one of the 6 best "climats" of the Morgon appellation. This is no ordinary Morgon - it has sensational quality and value, and is a revelation.

Juliénas, Anne d’Aleyrac, Château de Monternot (Beaujolais), 2010
This new wine is absolutely full of fruit. It is rich and is great to enjoy by itself and with cheeses. It is a great testament to the revitalised quality of Beaujolais wines. Exquisite!

Rasteau, Domaine des Escaravailles (Rhône), 2010
A full-fruited, spicy but not heavy wine from this dynamic award-winning estate in the village of Rasteau, next door to Gigondas and Vacqueyras in the southern Rhône. Despite its youth, this wine has a gorgeous fruitiness and spiciness. As a year in the southern Rhône, 2010 is becoming highly sought. Whereas years such as 2009 produced rich wines from the warmth, 2010 is a year that better expresses freshness, “terroir” and longevity.

Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Mazilly (Burgundy), 2009
We have always been impressed with this family domaine that produces wines that are full of smooth Pinot fruity flavours. The vines for this wine have an average age of 45 years’ age. Mazilly's winemaking is hand-crafted whilst offering excellent value - that's a rarity in Burgundy!

Chinon, Domaine Pierre & Bertrand Couly (Loire), 2009
Rich in dry brambly Cabernet Franc fruit, this wine is a revelation. It is soft and quite delightful - probably the best red Chinon we have ever tasted at this price. We are really pleased to offer you this delicious new red that goes well with most lighter food.

Vacqueyras, Boiseraie, Ogier (Rhône), 2010
The village of Vacqueyras in the southern Rhône produces wines of medium body but with the spiciness that is so typical of that region. You can almost feel the area’s warmth in the richness and flavour of this gorgeous wine!

Ménétou-Salon Rouge, Le Prieuré de Saint-Céols (Loire), 2010
Red wine made from Pinot Noir in the Loire tends to be light in style. This domaine’s red has a light cherry-ish colour and aroma, and also offers exceptional value. Still young, this is developing into a smooth fruity wine, not dissimilar to a decent quality red Burgundy. To enjoy with lighter meats or fish.

Pinot Noir, Cuvée Réserve, Robert Faller & Fils (Alsace), 2009    
Being in the north east corner of France, the red wines of Alsace can be pale in colour but this specific Pinot Noir is ruby red and has a mid-weight style. Easy to appreciate with its fresh fruity cherry-like Pinot flavours, this is a good wine to partner most lighter meats or even, fish.

Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, La Matinière, Domaine Ferraton (Rhône), 2009
A full rich and spicy wine from the northern Rhône. Made from 100% Syrah this is vinified traditionally, meaning that the wine has a firm "red fruit" character. This is better than many other more expensive wines from this area. We'd recommend this to go with richer meats or cheeses. And being from an excellent year, it will keep for years yet.

Château Haut Madrac, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc (Claret), 2008
A firmer style of claret from the Médoc that is soft and fruity on the palate and with a dry "finish". As a prized Cru Bourgeois this classy wine offers amazing value, and tastes very well with most meats or cheeses. If kept, it will also remain good for at least another five years.

Gigondas, Romane Machotte, Pierre Amadieu (Rhône), 2009
Pierre Amadieu’s philosophy is simple: to produce wines that are fruity, supple and elegant - not heavy and over-extracted as can be the case in so many Rhône wines. His wines are fruity and his wine making style may remind you of a fine red Burgundy. This is gorgeous - soft and fruity but with a richness that comes through on the palate. Fantastic value.

Château Haut Badon, Grand Cru Saint-Emilion (Claret), 2008
This great value Grand Cru offers exceptional value! The wine made by Château Mauvezin has the softness from 60% Merlot, the fruitiness from 30% Cabernet Franc and the body from 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has been put together very well and you can enjoy it noe or keep it five years.

Rasteau, La Ponce, Domaine des Escaravailles (Rhône), 2009
This is a legendary wine: just look it up on the internet for its various eulogies. Full, rich and powerful yet soft and juicy. This is what Rhône should be but so seldom is. A great year. Very limited supply.

Saint-Joseph Rouge, La Source, Domaine Ferraton (Rhône), 2008
A flavoursome red made from 100% Syrah by the excellent producer, Ferraton, which has recently been acquired by Chapoutier. With leaf control, green harvesting and hand-selection, inevitably the yields are small but produce a great concentration of fruit. This wine should remain good for another 5 years. Saint-Joseph wines are often overlooked but are among the best of the northern Rhone.

Côte de Nuits Villages, Domaine Boursot Père & Fils (Burgundy), 2007
This wine is full of up-front juicy Pinot Noir fruit. The grapes are taken from prime vineyards around the prime villages of Morey Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny, the long-established home of the Boursot family! An excellent Burgundy that will develop further over the coming months.

Château Patache d'Aux, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Médoc (Bordeaux), 2007
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot go into the blend of Patâche. These grapes are grown on chalky clay soil and then the wine is aged in cask for 12 months. Consequently the wine has a good firm fruity structure enabling it to last several more years.

Gigondas, Les Allégories d'Antoine Ogier (Rhône), 2009
This superior Gigondas wine is from a select parcel of land that lends great power to its wine. At the same time, you can taste a purity of fruit. For those who enjoy "good" Rhône wine, this is for you. In wooden case.

Roaix, Les Hautes Granges, Domaine des Escaravailles (Rhône), 2009
Full, rich and powerful, this is a wine that is made from 100% Syrah in the village of Roaix by one of the area's best winemakers. Despite its fullness, this great wine is smooth and enjoyable now but, given the chance, it could last many more years yet. If you like Syrah, you must try this!

Margaux Private Réserve, Margaux (Claret), 2008
A wine that undersells itself. It is made from young vines at the celebrated Château Siran in the commune of Margaux. A smooth round style of Margaux, that has the capacity to age for another couple of years yet.

Plan de Dieu, Domaine Calendal (Rhône), 2008
Calendal is a collaboration between winemaker Gilles Ferran and consultant Philippe Cambie. This top of the range Plan de Dieu is made on just 1.5 hectares from 80% 60 year old Mourvèdre and 20% 40 year old Grenache vines. This is then aged in old oak for 14 months - the wine is outrageously rich and powerful. A wine that will keep for years and years.

Beaune Vignes Franches, Premier Cru, Domaine Mazilly Père et Fils (Burgundy), 2009
A great Beaune that is both full and soft on the palate. Produced by the Mazilly family who have cellars in Meloisey and Meursault, this ridiculously inexpensive wine is delicious for drinking now or for keeping a further three years if you prefer.

Meursault, Château de Citeaux (Burgundy), 2009
Just when you thought that the village of Meursault only produced white wine, here's something with which to surprise your wine loving friends! A light to medium weight Pinot Noir with a gentle Pinot character, very well made by this most professional of domaines in the Côte de Beaune.

Château Beau-Site, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur Saint-Estèphe (Claret), 2004
This is a good rich Saint-Estèphe wine, made in the traditional style, so that it retains much of its full style. Beau-Site is a reliable wine and would be particularly good when accompanying richer meats or cheeses.

Les Hauts de Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac (Claret), 2008
(2nd wine of Château Lynch-Moussas, 5ème cru)
As the name implies, this is the second wine of Chateau Lynch-Moussas, a 5th growth château in the appellation of Pauillac which produces richer styles of claret. This offers extraordinary value, and may be enjoyed now and over the next five years.

Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Mazilly Père & Fils (Burgundy), 2007
Another great value wine from the family house of Mazilly based in the village of Meloisey. Made from Pinot Noir vines of more than 50 years of age, this wine has more richness than many similar wines, and can be enjoyed now. It will also keep for another five years perfectly happily.

Domaine de la Solitude, Pessac-Léognan (Claret), 2008
Made at the excellent Domaine de Chevalier in the Graves region, this is a wonderful wine that offers very good value. The wine has a good red-fruit flavour backed with soft tannins that will keep the wine good over the next 5 years.

Château Haut-Bages Monpelou, Cru Bourgeois, Pauillac (Claret), 1998
In 1948, this Château was detached from the renowned Château Duhart-Milon, the home of the Rothschild family of Lafite. This wine is full flavoured and smooth, being from the excellent 1998. Made from one third each of the two Cabernets and Merlot on prime gravely soil. Great quality.

Pernand-Vergelesses, Premier Cru, Les Fichots, Domaine Olivier Leflaive (Burgundy), 2009
An excellent value Premier Cru from Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet. Despite its youth, this wine is being enjoyed now and it also has the capacity to age gracefully. Full, smooth and rich tasting.

Château Vannières (Bandol), 2008
This is a most pleasant discovery. The wine shouts “Quality!” and has a style of a top class claret (although it’s made from Mourvèdre and Grenache!) - it’s rich, yet has several subtle layers of flavour on the palate. Without doubt a great wine, from an unusual appellation, that will intrigue you and get you coming back for more. Excellent value - and a beautiful wine.

La Closerie de Fourtet, Saint-Emilion (Claret), 2007
(2nd wine of Clos Fourtet, Premier Grand Cru Classé)
This is a great wine and offers excellent value. This "second wine" made from younger vines with less ageing than its "parent", can be enjoyed now but with its ripe tannins, it can also be kept another five years easily. Clos Fourtet is one of the handful of walled vineyards or "clos" remaining and its wine is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, making rich ripe wines that have been aged in new oak. Dark and intense wine.

Château Pontac-Lynch, Cru Bourgeois, Margaux (Claret), 2004
The 18th century Pontac-Lynch is a highly regarded Château situated in the commune of Cantenac in Margaux. Made from 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, this is a richer style of claret that may be enjoyed now and over the next five years.

Clos de l'Oratoire, Châteauneuf du Pape (Rhône), 2009    M   J
A "full" style of wine that has a soft spiciness made primarily from Grenache in this famous southern Rhône village. In the classic "crossed keys" Châteauneuf du Pape bottle. Good to enjoy now, being from one of the best of recent years, but this will also keep another 5 years at least. It is very unusual to find this "great" year of this wine on sale.

Mercurey, La Framboisière, Domaine Faiveley (Burgundy), 2006
A mature fragrant wine from arguably one of Burgundy's greatest producers. It has been aged in oak for up to 14 months giving an up-front Pinot Noir fruitiness and softness on the palate. A lovely wine.

Les Chemins de la Croix du Casse, Pomerol (Claret), 2008
(2nd wine of Château La Croix du Casse)
The second wine of the famous Château La Croix du Casse, a property that has been acquired recently by the owners of top châteaux Batailley and Trottevieille. This is surprisingly forward and easy to enjoy now, but it will also mature well over the next 5 years. This high quality wine offers super value for a top Pomerol.

Châteauneuf du Pape, Domaine Jean Royer (Rhône), 2009
We have bought a limited parcel of this outstanding and seriously understated wine. It has been made in the, nowadays, all too rare traditional style with appealing red fruit and spicy flavours, whilst having an elegant fresh aroma. Delicious now and over the next 5 years. This is a gem and we advise you to stock up.

Mercurey, Premier Cru, Clos des Myglands, Domaine Faiveley (Burgundy), 2008
Joy ! A smooth ruby red wine with full yet spicy Pinot Noir aromas. The wine is fabulous now but will be delicious for many more years yet. It's hard to believe that this is wine from the Côte Chalonnaise but demonstrates what a great winemaker can achieve.

Pommard, Les Noizons, Domaine Mazilly Père et Fils (Burgundy), 2009
This Pommard has a Premier Cru quality. Pommard wines tend to be fuller in style owing to the soil around this village. It is a big wine from a great year and it will last another five years easily enough. Take advantage of it now!

Cairanne, La Boutine, Domaine des Escaravailles (Rhône), 2007 Mag. only
This is an interesting wine. It's made exclusively from Grenache vines that date from the 1940s, and has rich and spicy, almost brambly, flavours. Rhône doesn't get much better than this. It's also from 2007 which was the area's finest vintage in decades. This wine will keep for years but it can also be enjoyed all too easily now! Great for your special dinner party - and a magnum looks so impressive!

Charmes de Kirwan, Margaux (Claret), 2007
(2nd wine of Château Kirwan, 3ème cru)
Charmes de Kirwan tends to be a fuller style of Margaux - rich in brambly fruit with the hallmark smoothness of the Margaux appellation. Delightful to drink between now and 2019.

Beaune, Premier Cru, Les Theurons, Château de Citeaux (Burgundy), 2009
A wine with an amazing purity of Pinot fruit on the nose, elegant, soft and round on the palate, with an incredibly long “finish”. This is Burgundy at its finest, from red Burgundy’s best recent vintage.

Domus Maximus, Massamier la Mignarde (Minervois la Livinière), 2006
This is one of the most decorated and awarded wines of the south, even winning Best Wine of the World in International Wine Challenge's category Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre! This is a smooth and concentrated wine made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. The grapes were macerated for 20 days and then aged in new oak casks. If you like "big" wine, this is something very special for you.

Les Hauts de Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (Claret), 2004
(2nd wine of Château Pontet-Canet, 4ème cru)
As the second wine of the famous Château Pontet-Canet, this rich claret is deliciously drinkable now but it could also keep for another five years.

Cornas, Les Grands Muriers, Domaine Ferraton (Rhône), 2008
With a total of just 95 hectares of vines Cornas is highly sought after by wine aficionados. Grown on near perfect soils of granite and alluvial argilo calcareous soil, this is rich wine made entirely from Syrah. A good value wine that is densely packed with fruit and tannins that will keep it going for years.

Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis (Claret), 2006
One of the great names of the Médoc, this wine can be enjoyed now but it will also improve with every passing day, up until 10 years' time.

Domaine de Villeneuve, Les Vieilles Vignes,
Châteauneuf du Pape (Rhône), 2009
                                                                                                                                  BIO-DYNAMIC
Domaine de Villeneuve, bordering Vieux Télégraphe, has three different soils and is worked bio-dynamically with no weedkillers - et al! Its five different types of vine of up to 100 years of age yield tiny volumes of exquisite wine that can be enjoyed now or kept over 20 more years. One of the finest Châteauneufs on today's market - and really not expensive for that. A star: this is both elegant and fruity.

Château Gloria, Saint-Julien (Claret), 2007
Château Gloria is not a Cru Classé simply because it was only established in 1942, long after the 1855 classification. Parcels of land have been acquired from neighbours Ducru, Léovilles Barton and Lascases as well as Gruaud-Larose among others, taking Gloria's total vineyard area to 48ha. This is consistently good Cabernet based wine. We feel this wine should be kept another 3 years before it starts to show off its best.

La Vieille Dame de Trottevieille, Grand Cru Saint-Emilion (Claret), 2002
(2nd wine of Château Trottevieille, Grand Cru)        
Since Château Trottevieille took on its new winemaker, the property has been producing some of the finest Grand Cru Saint-Emilion wines available. This is its "second wine" and it may be enjoyed right now.

Château Quinault l'Enclos, Grand Cru Saint-Emilion (Claret), 2007
In our view, this is a Château to watch. In 2008 it was sold to Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, who also owns Châteaux Cheval Blanc and d’Yquem to name but two! Since then, he has invested massively in new techniques to produce the finest quality at Quinault L’Enclos. He also has the best consultants. This wine is full, rich and surprisingly fruity already.

Vosne-Romanée, Domaine Michel Noellat Père & Fils (Burgundy), 2008
The village of Vosne-Romanée in Burgundy's Cote de Nuits produces some of the area's finest and most expensive wines - such as La Tâche. This is where the Pinot Noir excels, and the Michel Noellat team produce a full rich example of a wine that can be enjoyed now, or can be kept a further five years.

Château Batailley, 5ème cru Pauillac (Claret), 2006
Nowadays this Château is producing astoundingly good wine. It is classic Pauillac - full, rich and soft and can be reliably chosen for special occasions.

Reserve de la Comtesse, Pauillac (Claret), 2004
               (2nd wine of Château Pichon-Lalande, 2ème cru)
Soft, rich and utterly delicious now but if you should wish to keep it a while, further rewards await you! A wine that proves just how Pichon-Lalande is on top form.

Nuits Saint-Georges, Premier Cru, Aux Chaignots, Domaine Faiveley (Burgundy), 2006
A sturdier style of Pinot Noir from Faiveley's gravelly/chalky soil Premier Cru plot of less than a hectare. Vinified traditionally, this can be enjoyed now or leave it over the next 5 years and it will soften even further.

Château Kirwan, 3ème cru Margaux (Claret), 2006
Since oenologist Michel Rolland has been consulting here, Kirwan has been producing even better wines: full, perfumed wines that combine both elegance and power. With 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc, this 2006 can be enjoyed now but it will also improve over the next five years. A gem..

Echézeaux, Grand Cru, Domaine François Lamarche (Burgundy), 2008
Domaine Lamarche is one of the Côte de Nuits’ best producers. This is hand-crafted wine: handpicked, totally destemmed and then vatted for 15 to 18 days meaning that the wine has great concentration of flavour. After being put into oak for up to 20 months with 60% new oak, and finally being bottled with no fining or filtering, this wine could happily keep in bottle for 20 years. Excellent value for one of Burgundy's classics.

ROSE WINES

Le Petit Pont, Réserve, Vin de Pays d'Oc, 2010
Grenache and Cinsault are the two grapes that have gone into the making of this refreshing rosé. This is a good wine by any standards but it is baffling how such good quality can be produced at this very reasonable price. The wine is light and dry, fresh and "grapey" - perfect for easy summer drinking.

Le Syrah Rosé de Morin-Langaran (Languedoc), 2010
Full fruited dry rosé in a stylish clear bottle, produced on the Etang de Thau. With the body of a red and the freshness of a white, this is wonderful for enjoying at all times - even in winter! A great favourite!

Château de Sours Rosé (Bordeaux), 2010
This dry fruity rosé is made from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It is hugely in the UK where it sells for much higher prices! This delicious wine will be good to enjoy for at least another couple of years. This is your opportunity to stock up.

Bailly Rosé, Château Minuty (Provence), 2010
This property in Provence has a great reputation and produces several wines at different price levels. A pale coloured, fresh dry rosé with a light fruit flavour.

Réserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé, Brut
A deliciously soft, fruity dry rosé from one of the prime rosé producers of Bordeaux, Château de Sours. Full of summery fruit flavours, this wine should be served well chilled. Made by the champagne method.

Crémant de Bourgogne, Rosé, Bailly-Lapierre, Brut
The twin sister of our excellent sparkling Crémant made by the Méthode Traditionnelle in the Chablis region. Made from Pinot Noir and Gamay, this is pale pink in colour and with a soft fruity flavour, this is a light dry wine that is perfect for summertime enjoyment.

Saint-Réol, Grand Cru, Rosé, Brut Champagne
One of the finest pink champagnes available on today's market, and at such a reasonable price. This is original and better than many well-known names! Dry but full of soft red fruit flavours. Fabulous.

Marguet Père & Fils, Rosé Grand Cru Champagne
The rosé cuvée (or blend) is one of Marguet's specialities. Made from 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir from two harvests and aged for two years prior to release. The usual red wine additions come from the prime villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy, but Marguet also uses some juice "bled" from the dark Pinot skins to bring aromas. This connoisseurs’ wine with its rose petal hue can be enjoyed before or during a meal and if kept, it will also develop over 5 - 10 years in a good cellar, without losing freshness or aromatic qualities.

DESSERT WINES

Château du Juge, Cadillac (Bordeaux), 2008
The 150 hectare area of Cadillac, close to Loupiac and Sauternes, was granted its own status in 1973, since which time it has produced some very good, rather than “great”, sweet wines. They tend to be lighter and more refreshing in style than those of Sauternes. This is deliciously fresh and fruity - and sweet!

Château La Bouade, Sauternes(Bordeaux), 2002   HALF BOTTLES
Sauternes is still known as the producer of some of the greatest sweet wines in the world. This lusciously sweet wine has several advantages - the half bottle is a useful size, this wine is mature and it has an extraordinarily attractive price.

Maury, Vin Doux Naturel, Mas Amiel, 2009 HALF BOTTLES
A lusciously sweet red wine made from Grenache Noir grapes just north of the Pyrenees. In addition to being served at the end of a meal in place of a port, this is one of the few wines that works well with dark chocolate.

Pinot Gris, Vendanges Tardives, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 2004
This is what Alsace does so well. In occasional years, grapes left late on the vine are attacked by Botrytis Cineria, leaving concentrated grape sugars. This wine with, its perfumed aroma is curiously refreshing and not at all cloying. As with so many sweet wines, once the bottle has been opened, the wine will last for weeks if stored in the fridge. A miracle wine!

Gewürztraminer Kirchberg, Grand Cru, Séléction de Grains Nobles, Robert Faller et Fils (Alsace), 1989
A lusciously sweet masterpiece from Faller who own some of the greatest, Grand Cru, vineyards around Ribeauvillé. A bottle of this will astound you with its balance of power, fruit, sweetness - and of course, its finesse!

SPARKLING WINE & CHAMPAGNE

Charles de Fère, Tradition Chardonnay, Brut
For the price, or even at any price, this is a lovely wine with its delicate honeyed fruity aromas. In our view, it is better than so many cheap champagnes. If this were a champagne it would be called a Blanc de Blancs, being made entirely from white grapes - in this case, the classic chardonnay, that is used in Champagne.

Crémant de Bourgogne, Réserve, Bailly-Lapierre, Brut
Made in the Chablis area of Burgundy, this is an excellent wine made from two of the three Champagne grapes: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A super value wine that is always popular with its softer style, appealing to a wide variety of people.

Réserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé, Brut

A deliciously soft, fruity dry rosé from one of the prime rosé producers of Bordeaux, Château de Sours. Full of summery fruit flavours, this wine should be served well chilled. Made by the champagne method.

Crémant de Bourgogne, Rosé, Bailly-Lapierre, Brut
The twin sister of our excellent sparkling Crémant made by the Méthode Traditionnelle in the Chablis region. Made from Pinot Noir and Gamay, this is pale pink in colour and with a soft fruity flavour, this is a light dry wine that is perfect for summertime enjoyment.

Couronne d'Or, Chapin & Landais, Saumur Brut
An elegant dry sparkling wine produced in the Saumur region of the Loire, by the Méthode Traditionnelle (once called the Champagne Method). As close as it gets to Champagne, this is excellent for parties - without too great a price.

Richard-Dhondt, Cuvée de Réserve, Brut Champagne
This amazing champagne is made by a small Premier Cru and Grand Cru grower in the prime village of Dizy just outside Epernay. It's made from equal percentages of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, with 50% reserve (older) wine and then aged for a minimum of 18 months, giving soft fruity but toasty flavours. This is a superb find: good quality, sensibly priced with a smart label, reminiscent of Bollinger RD. If you want inexpensive champagne, we believe you will not find better than this.

Marguet Père & Fils, Brut Tradition, Blanc de Noirs, Champagne
Blanc de Noirs means that this wine is made exclusively from grapes with black skins (but white flesh), thus giving a fuller style of champagne. Marguet's wine is made from two vintages of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, with at least 50% Premier Cru wines from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne. This high quality wine has been left to mature on its lees, or sediment, for two years - an unusually long time for a "regular" champagne, giving it a lovely "biscuity" style. It will keep for a further five years.

Saint-Réol, Grand Cru, Brut Champagne      H M J
A class apart, our ever popular Grand Cru champagne is a very high quality champagne made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay only - a soft style with none of the harshness that can be found often in so many cheaper champagnes. This producer makes wine for among others, Laurent-Perrier, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger and Veuve Clicquot and put simply, this is probably the most delicious champagne you will taste at this price. A champagne to impress!

Marguet Père & Fils, Brut Réserve, Grand Cru Champagne
This extra-ordinary wine has been aged for three years prior to release and is made from 50% each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, uniquely from Grand Crus on the Montagne de Reims. Blended from two vintage years, this is described as having powerful flowery flavours backed with a richness derived from the wine’s maturity. This fine champagne will develop over 10 years in a good cellar but it can of course also be enjoyed now!

Saint-Réol, Grand Cru, Rosé, Brut Champagne
One of the finest pink champagnes available on today's market, and at such a reasonable price. This is original and better than many well-known names! Dry but full of soft red fruit flavours. Fabulous.

Marguet Père & Fils, Rosé Grand Cru Champagne
The rosé cuvée (or blend) is one of Marguet's specialities. Made from 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Noir from two harvests and aged for two years prior to release. The usual red wine additions come from the prime villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy, but Marguet also uses some juice "bled" from the dark Pinot skins to bring aromas. This connoisseurs’ wine with its rose petal hue can be enjoyed before or during a meal and if kept, it will also develop over 5 - 10 years in a good cellar, without losing freshness or aromatic qualities.

Marguet Père & Fils, Vintage 2006, Grand Cru, Brut Champagne
Our crowning champagne from Benoit Marguet. This 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir Grand Cru champagne has been aged in his cellars for five years and has the potential for a further 20 years development in bottle! This masterpiece has aromas of white fruits and spring flowers. Simply outstanding.

Henriot, Blanc Souverain, Pur Chardonnay, Brut Champagne
This champagne is a Blanc de Blancs i.e. it is made entirely from white grapes, and it is one of the best value around. Henriot is a lesser-known but highly respected champagne House based in Reims. Soft and creamy on the palate, this is a delight.

Pol Roger, Brut Réserve Champagne       M J
The epitome of classy Champagne from this small family-run House in Epernay: dry but with a clean fresh elegance. One of the best value Grande Marques, owing to its high proportion of aged reserve wines in its blends.

Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut Champagne
This is the Grande Marque unquestionably put on the global map by the Boursot family between 1828 and 1960. This champagne has the finest reputation and is in our view the ultimate easy drinking non-vintage champagne, with its high percentage of top quality chardonnay. Soft, dry and easy to appreciate.

Pol Roger, Vintage 2000, Brut Champagne
Rich and toasty, whilst remaining elegant this is a classic vintage champagne with a richness of flavour on the palate. In our view, this will remain good for at least 15 years.

Dom Pérignon, Vintage 1998 Champagne                                 In gift box
Probably the most famous quality name in Champagne. This is a rare vintage to find now. We showed this wine at one of our gourmet dinners and it was apparent that whilst the wine is fabulous to enjoy now, it also has the capacity to develop over the next 20 years. See all its fab reviews from the world's wine critics!

Belle époque, Perrier-Jouët, Brut, Vintage 1990 Champagne                                 In gift box
This is a collector's item. From the exceptional and now hard to find 1990, this is sheer nectar.

BRANDIES - MARC, COGNAC & ARMAGNAC

Armagnac de la Mazière, 40%
Armagnac has a little more earthiness in its flavour than Cognac. This is a good typical example.

Marc de Bourgogne, Château de Citeaux, 41%
The legendary brandy made from Burgundy grapes. Produced and bottled at Château de Citeaux in the village of Meursault which makes some of the finest Burgundies.

Premier Cru Cognac de Grande Champagne, VSOP, Claude Thorin, 40%
VSOP here means a minimum of four years in cask. Quite simply: smooth and utterly delicious - this beats virtually any branded cognac hands down. Wonderful value.

Hors d'Age Armagnac, Domaine du Mignon, 42%
Hors d'Age in Armagnac means that the youngest constituent of the blend is 10 years old. A traditionally made amber coloured and full flavoured Armagnac, this is a high quality product from this small producer: great value.

1978 Vintage Armagnac, Domaine du Mignon, 42%
Wow - this is almost grapey in its aroma! From a small producer we have been following for some time, this is a classy Armagnac at a most sensible price.

1991 Vintage Cognac Millésime, Jean Fillioux, 40%
Harvested and distilled in 1991, this cognac was matured in French recent loose grain oak casks, in a cool damp cellar. Fresh on the nose with light herbal and ripe fruits, then progressing to rich and unctuous aromas. A long, round and soft finish.

XO Alliance Cognac, Ragnaud-Sabourin, 40%
Deep golden colour with wonderful softness and a long dry finish. This is just a beautiful XO. We do not think XO gets any better.

Très Vieux Cognac, Jean Fillioux, 40%
Fillioux's Très Vieux is generally made from a blend of cognacs of at least 25 years of age - this is a blend of 1976 and 1979 and is an immediate pleasure on the nose as well as on the palate, with a long smooth finish. In 1998, it was named Brandy of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Réserve de la Famille 10 ans Cognac, Gauthier, 40%
Dark yellow gold colour, with deep, sweet aromas of vanilla and candied fruit. An extraordinary Napoleon cognac packed with lively and dynamic aromas. It has a deep intensity, which is finishes with a sweet finish. Fantastic!

Cigar Club Cognac, Jean Fillioux, 40%
A magnificent cognac. Aged for a long time in new oak, giving flavours of honey and vanilla with a long finish. Great with cigars or with dark chocolate.

CALVADOS & EAUX DE VIES

Calvados, Château du Breuil, Pays d'Auge, 40%
Produced in Normandy, which of course is renowned for the quality of its apples. Double distilled and then aged in oak to produce a fine delicate flavour.

Eau de Vie de Mirabelle, Grande Réserve, Robert Faller & Fils, 45%
This superior quality eau de vie is made from pears in Alsace. A local speciality.

Eau de Vie de Framboise, Grande Réserve, Robert Faller & Fils, 45%
This superior quality eau de vie is made from raspberries in Alsace. A local speciality.

Eau de Vie de Poire Williams, Grande Réserve, Robert Faller & Fils, 45%
This superior quality eau de vie is made from pears in Alsace. A local speciality.

Calvados, 8 Years Old, Château du Breuil, Pays d’Auge, 40%
Produced in Normandy, which of course is renowned for the quality of its apples. Double distilled and aged in oak for 8 years to produce a fine, delicate and very smooth flavour.

OTHERS

Boursot's Wine Collection Columbian Coffee     250 grams
We torrefy (roast) our beans here in our shop, so you can buy this in either bean or ground form. This delightful Arabica coffee has become hugely popular, being of excellent quality.

Wine Related Tea Towels
High quality 100% cotton tea towels featuring wine growing areas of France, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Languedoc-Roussillon & Provence, and the Loire as well as Vintage Chart and Champagne Bottle Sizes. Colour printed with food compatible ink and washable at 40°C. These make perfect gifts to your wine loving friends.

Pineau des Charentes, Sélection, André Thorin, 17%
Simply, this is the lightly fermented juice of the sweet Ugni Blanc grapes that make cognac, to which a little spirit has been added to arrest fermentation. Similar in style to sherry. Delicious when served chilled.

Crème de Framboise au Cognac, Claude Thorin, 18%       Half Litres
An old recipe of raspberries macerated in Grande Champagne cognac. Serve it neat, on ice - or for something different, pour it over a good vanilla ice cream. It's mouth-watering!

Crème de Cassis, Le Prieuré de Saint-Céols, 20%       Half Litres
We believe this is probably the best Cassis you will have ever tasted. It is quite extra-ordinary, with its powerful aroma of pure blackcurrants. Easy to appreciate by itself.

Crème de Châtaignes, Le Pelou, Couderc, 25%
An original recipe for a sweet chestnut liqueur: like so many of our unique spirits, this is fabulous. Great for presents or for some self-indulgence over the Christmas period - if you like chestnuts, you will love this.

Glenlivet, Speyside Single Cask,
Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 1995, 46%
The ultimate single malt that has been matured in an oloroso sherry cask for 14 years. Unique and the only non-French item on our list!

WINE RELATED ACCESSORIES

This is a tiny snapshot from our sister company www.grapesandvines-giftdesigns.co.uk. You can place orders there and your order will be delivered to your home within a few days. Alternatively you can pick up these items from our Ardres shop.

Nick Newman Wine Cartoons
Our much admired pen and ink cartoons that adorn our Ardres shop are now available for you to buy in wooden frames.

USB Cork, 2gB
This makes a fun present for anyone who appreciates wine: a USB stick disguised as a cork!

Stainless Steel Non-Melting Ice Cubes, Pack of 6

Decanter Cleaning Balls

Bottle Chiller Sleeves

Wine Shield wine savers - box of 10

Bottle Tags

Wine Aerators, Wine Books, Wine Buckets, Wine Warmers, Silver Tastevin Cufflinks, Decanters, Drip Collars, Corkscrews, Wine Soaps and more - they’re all here on www.grapesandvines-giftdesigns.co.uk

OPENING HOURS
TUESDAY to SATURDAY
10.00 - 6.00