This red from France is a great introduction to Bordeaux without the expensive price tag. A deep purple colour with hint of spice and vegetal aromas. The palate is supple and round with notes of plum, leather and spice with a rich, persistent finish.

A delicious example of this gamay-based light red from southern Burgundy. Raspberry and plum aromas are direct and fruity, and the palate is light with a lingering, fragrant aftertaste.

The Guigal family owns vineyards in prime locations throughout the Appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Saint-Joseph from where their iconic wines are produced. The Guigal cellars are located in the centre of the town of Ampuis, on the right bank of the Rhône River, about 40 km south of Lyon. The Côtes du Rhône region stretches 200 km from Vienne in the north to Avignon in the south. Côtes-du-Rhône is the workhorse red of the southern Rhône Valley and is blended from up to 13 grape varieties, but usually leans heavily on grenache and syrah (Shiraz). Deep, bright, garnet-red in colour, it is a fresh, crisp wine with small soft fruit and spices. A full-bodied, elegant wine, with mellow tannins, warmth and aromatic intensity.

This Estate was created in 1960, at the place known as Crès Ricards, in the village of Ceyras. In 2010 Jean-Claude Mas acquired the 27 ha (69 acres) belonging to the Château, extending the estate to 42 ha in 2013. He was fascinated by the fantastic terroir of the Terrasses du Larzac, which produces silky wines with intense flavors. At the foot of Mont Baudile, 35 km to the west of Montpellier, this vineyard offers a unique geography. Yields are low because of the strict grape selection and carbonic maceration is used to produce generous wines. Made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache and matured in new and older French oak for 10 months. The wine is at once full bodied and fresh, with notes of intense black currant, black cherry and mocha gliding to a silky, rich finish.

Vignoble Aucoeur is the oldest family domain of the Morgon village, in the heart of Beaujolais. Arnaud Aucoeur has been voted 2020 Winemaker of the Year by the famous Guide Hachette in France. To perpetuate the legacy of his ancestors, Arnaud makes some of his wines, including his famous “Moulin à vent”, in wooden containers. Barrels, tons and semi-casks are all housed on the farm. The grapes are manually-harvested from vines of about fifty years exclusively from Gamay grapes. This Fleurie seduces with its finesse and silky texture. Bright ruby color, it offers a rich creaminess, elegance, floral and fruity aromas.

Château Mauvesin Barton, nestled within the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation of Bordeaux, is a venerable estate revered for its commitment to producing exceptional wines. As a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, it stands as a testament to a long-standing tradition of winemaking expertise dating back to the 18th century. The vineyard, characterised by a mosaic of gravelly soils, is ideally situated for cultivating the classic grape varieties of the region. Mauvesin Barton's winemaking philosophy is firmly rooted in sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. The estate emphasises precision and finesse in their viticultural techniques, meticulously caring for the vines to optimise grape quality. The resulting wines are a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, encapsulating the rich terroir and reflecting the unique characteristics of the estate. With each vintage, Château Mauvesin Barton crafts wines of depth and elegance, displaying a brilliant fusion of fruit-driven flavours, supple tannins, and a graceful structure. Enthusiasts can savour the heritage and excellence of Mauvesin Barton's creations, a true embodiment of the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation.