The Wine.

A zesty, minerally, citrus fruit filled dry white with a wonderfully long finish. 12% abv, very easy drinking and a very refined example of this famous style of Loire white. Drink 2025 - 2027. 

The Estate.

The Papin brothers, Damien and Vincent, are fifth generation winemakers with 27 hectares of vines on the Clisson/Saint-Crespin-Sur-Moine border. The estate is certified as HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) in recognition of their commitment to enriching the environment, and this year they were awarded the 'Grand Prix Regional du Muscadet Sur Lie'.

The Appellation.

The Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie A.O.C. is an Atlantic influenced appellation just to the east of Nantes. It is named after the rivers Sèvre and Maine that flow though it before joining the Loire. Melon de Bourgogne is the only grape allowed under the A.O.C. rules and the wines must be aged sur lie (on the dead yeast cells) until filtering and bottling in March - November of the year following harvest. This lees contact can give the wines a slight yeasty richness.

Offered: October 2025.

Alcohol: 12%.

Drinking window: 2025 – 2027.

Food matching: Ideal as an aperitif or with smoked salmon, smoked trout paté or shellfish.

The Wine.

A rich but zesty, bottle-aged Muscadet from the hallowed granite vineyards of the Clisson Cru. 12.5% abv, with quince and ripe citrus fruit, mineral notes and a long, clean finish. This is serious, mature Muscadet, perfect for drinking now, and a revelation to those who have only tried the younger styles.

The Estate.

The Papin brothers, Damien and Vincent, are fifth generation winemakers with 27 hectares of vines on the Clisson/Saint-Crespin-Sur-Moine border. The estate is certified as HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) in recognition of their commitment to enriching the environment, and this year they were awarded the 'Grand Prix Regional du Muscadet Sur Lie'.

The Appellation.

The Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie A.O.C. is an Atlantic influenced appellation just to the east of Nantes. It is named after the rivers Sèvre and Maine that flow though it before joining the Loire. Melon de Bourgogne is the only grape allowed under the A.O.C. rules and the wines must be aged sur lie (on the dead yeast cells) before filtering and bottling in March - November of the year following harvest. This lees contact can give the wines a slight yeasty richness.

Clisson is a small 'Cru Communal' in the south of the Sèvre et Maine region. Yields here are lower and the grapes are harvested at a riper stage of development. On top of this, in order to qualify for the A.O.C. the wines must also be aged on the lees for at least 2 years before bottling. This gives them added complexity and ageing potential.

Offered: October 2025.

Alcohol: 12.5%.

Drinking window: 2025 – 2029.

Food matching: Delicious with fish pie.

The Wine.

100% Pinot Noir, unoaked and bursting with vibrant raspberry and cherry fruit. Silky smooth, easy drinking at 12.5% abv but with a tension and freshness that makes it incredibly more-ish.

The Domaine.

Established in 1950 by Jean Lemoule, Domaine Lemoule is now run by his grandson Steve along with his father and two siblings. The family own some of the best 'lieu-dits' in the appellation and manage the estate along sustainable lines. Since Steve took over 20 years ago, he has perfected a style of vinification that aims to bring roundness and fruit to the wines, without losing their crucial freshness - not always easy in these cool northern climes.

The Appellation.

Coulanges la Vineuse is one of the most northerly villages in Burgundy, located just to the west of Chablis. Vines have been cultivated here since the 2nd century, and, pre-phylloxera, covered some 1000 hectares with no less than 247 vintners and 17 coopers. Today just 150 hectares remain planted, with ten growers in operation. The terroir though is outstanding and as such this relatively unknown appellation produces some exceptionally good value reds.

Offered: July 2025.

Alcohol: 12.5%.

Drinking window: 2025 – 2029.

Food matching: Delicious with roast turkey, roast duck, or mid-strength hard cheeses such as Brebis Napoléon.

The hills of the Coteaux Varois produce some superb rosés. The extra height is the key. The cooler nights in the vineyard help the grapes to maintain their acidity, whilst also slowing their maturation. This means more ‘hang time’ on the vine (about two weeks compared to the lowland vineyards) and results in more characterful grapes.

Château Margillière is one of the most exciting estates in the appellation. They have been working organically since 1999 and their vineyards cover 25 hectares. The results are superb thanks to a combination of traditional vineyard techniques, top-spec winery equipment and painstaking attention to detail throughout the production process. 

Offered: April 2025.

Alcohol: 12.5% abv.

Vintage report: A hot, dry year resulted in concentrated, flavoursome grapes. Harvest was early in most cases in order retain the grapes' acidity and to stop alcohol levels getting too high. Quality was good to very good.

Tasting Notes: Beautifully balanced, crisp and elegant with soft, ripe red fruits, floral notes and a silky smooth finish.

Drinking window: At its best 2025 - 2027.

Food matching: Excellent as an aperitif but would also be a good match for grilled asparagus, Salade Nicoise, seafood risotto and cured meats (among others).

The Wine.

An unoaked blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah made from the family vines around the village of Suzette. Clean and cool with strawberry and cherry aromatics, a silky smooth texture and a long finish.

The Estate.

Château Redortier was established in 1956 by Etienne and Chantal de Menthon, grandparents of Isabelle and Sabine who run the estate today. It sits in the shadow of the Dentelles de Montmirail with Mont Ventoux not far to the east. They have 1 hectare of Ventoux A.O.C. vines at an altitude of 500m. These are hand harvested and the juice is fermented using wild yeasts.

The Appellation.

Ventoux is an up-and-coming appellation in the southeast Rhône. It offers much of the quality of the more established appellations of the area (Gigondas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape et al), but at much more manageable prices. Its key attribute is altitude. The high vineyards mean plentiful sun during the day but also cool nights. This range in temperature results in ripe fruit with good acidity - the latter bringing a crucial vibrancy to the wines.

Offered: May 2025.

Alcohol: 14.5%.

Vintage report: A light and fruity vintage that, as a rule, has produced fresh reds for earlier drinking. April frost damage meant yields were relatively low but there is excellent quality to be found.

Drinking window: 2025 - 2027.

Food matching: An excellent match for hard sheep's cheeses, roast chicken and barbecued steaks.

The Wine.

A silky smooth, fruit forward and complex Beaujolais red from the excellent 2022 vintage. Expect juicy blackcurrant and sweet black cherry fruit, soft tannins and a vibrant freshness. This is serious Beaujolais from first-rate terroir, perfect for drinking this spring.

The Estate.

Domaine Longère covers five hectares of prime terroir in the villages of Le Perréon and Vaux en Beaujolais. Jean-Luc Longère, sixth generation winemaker, has been in charge of the estate since 1988. Under his stewardship they became one of the first producers in the region to receive the Terra Vitis certification for sustainable practices.

The Appellation.

The Beaujolais region is divided into three A.O.C.s. In ascending order: Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages and then at the top of the pile the 10 Crus (Fleurie, Morgon etc). The Beaujolais-Villages A.O.C. is made up of 38 villages in the north of the Beaujolais region. Here steep vineyards surround the 10 Beaujolais Crus. The best producers here are very much on a level with the top Cru producers but for geographical reasons do not qualify for Cru status.

Offered: March 2025.

Alcohol: 13%.

Drinking window: 2025 - 2028.

Food matching: Charcuterie, milder hard cheeses, soft, white-rinded cheeses.

The Wine.

A beautifully balanced, unoaked white Beaujolais that drinks like a high class Burgundy. Fresh and floral with tangerine fruit, gentle acidity and a clean, lingering finish. Very impressive stuff. Drinking perfectly now but can cellar for a couple more years.

The Estate.

Domaine Longère covers five hectares of prime terroir in the villages of Le Perréon and Vaux en Beaujolais. Jean-Luc Longère, sixth generation winemaker, has been in charge of the estate since 1988. Under his stewardship they became one of the first producers in the region to receive the Terra Vitis certification for sustainable practices.

The Appellation.

The Beaujolais appellation is just to the south of Burgundy in eastern-central France. Roughly 98% of production is red, but the 2% of white is well worth seeking out. Made from 100% Chardonnay they tend to have a distinctive floral, gentleness to them that sets them apart from the Chardonnays made to the north.

Offered: March 2025.

Alcohol: 13%.

Drinking window: 2024 - 2027.

Food matching: A great match for goat's cheese, scallops or a chestnut tart.

The Wine.

The La Folie 2018 comes from the best plot on Gonzague's estate, where 30 - 40 year old, low-yielding Merlot vines surround a small 18th century architectural 'folly'.

The wine was aged in French barrel for 12 months before release. It is fresh and finely balanced with plump cassis and plum fruit, silky tannins and notes of sandalwood and tobacco.

It is perfect for drinking now while the vibrant fruit stands up nicely to the oak, but can certainly age too if you favour a more savoury, mature style of Claret.

The Estate.

Following years of training at respected châteaux around Bordeaux and in the Loire Valley, Gonzague bought his winery and a first plot of 3.2 hectares of vines back in 2005. Extensive repairs to the chai and vineyard were undertaken and slowly, slowly he has established the domaine as a greatly respected producer in the area. He has been farming the land organically since 2010 but does not seek certification and the bureaucratic hoop jumping that that entails.

Offered: February 2025.

Alcohol: 14.5%.

Drinking window: 2025 - 2030.

Food matching: Roast red meats. Mushroom risotto. Hard sheep's cheeses.