This Pinot Noir is cultivated in the heart of the French Ardèche region, vineyard marked by its cool climate and high altitude. Buis D'Aps is a locality in the town of Alba La Romaine, around which this Pinot Noir is grown, on clay-limestone soils. This cuvée is the fruit of rigorous work: limited yields, thinning at the start of summer, exclusively manual harvest. After a long maceration of 2 to 3 weeks, part of the harvest is aged in oak barrels. Fresh nose, seductive, very cherry, small catchy tannins well coated, floral finish, fresh vegetal, superb character. A beautiful discovery.

An excellent example of the soft, spicy and very drinkable style which makes Cotes du Rhone so popular. A versatile red which will be most enjoyable served with simple meat based casseroles or cheese.

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.

Michel Chapoutier continues to produce wines of unbelievable value and his Cotes du Rhône is the leader of the pack. For under $20, medium bodied reds don't get better than this.

The Arrogant Frog Ribet Red Cabernet Merlot from the South-West of France is a juicy, easy drinking style with soft tannins on the finish. Jean-Claude Mas has crafted the perfect red to enjoy with grilled lamb chops from the BBQ or many pasta dishes.

One of the most expensive Bordeaux wines - and indeed, one of the priciest anywhere - Le Pin is a surprisingly recent arrival on the global stage, with its first vintage having been produced just decades ago in 1979. Originally priced at a modest 700 francs, the praise garnered by the 1982 vintage propelled Le Pin into the global limelight, with sales from that point on par with - or exceeding - those of First Growth Bordeaux wines. An exotic style of Bordeaux, Le Pin possesses a resplendent, lavish mouth-feel with intensely ripe fruit aromas and hints of smoke on the palate.