Like all good wines The Thirsty Cyclist began with a barrel. In 2015, Tom Keville-Davies, aka The Hungry Cyclist, was searching for a good, easy-drinking wine to serve to guests at his Cycling Lodge in Burgundy. Collaborating with good friends and local winemakers Chris & Lucie Santini, they made their first barrel of Beaujolais-Lantignié.

This juicy Beaujolais, from organic vineyards in the village of Lantignié, was soon lapped up by Thirsty Cyclists returning from a day on the road, and due to its success, and with supply soon exhausted, in 2016 Chris, Lucie & Tom decided to expand their project and introduce The Thirsty Cyclist to wine enthusiasts beyond the bounds of their village.

Just 8 barrels (just under 200 cases) were made and Neal Gower - wine enthusiast, cycling fiend and acclaimed graphic artist - was commissioned to design the label.

The wine itself is a beauty. Pure, fruity and easy drinking at 12.5% abv, but with real depth of flavour and balance too. It is typical of the wines that the Santinis produce – tiny production, unique terroir, and made with minute attention to detail - and shows why the new ‘micro-négoce’ movement that they are a part of, is shaking up the established order in Burgundy.

Offered: January 2018

Alcohol: 12.5%

Vintage report: A good year which produced reds with plenty of body and excellent aromatics.

Drinking window: 2018 – 2020.

Food matching: Perfect spring drinking (particularly with a slight chill on the bottle) and ideal for washing down a plate of charcuterie, shared with a grilled bavette or as a last bottle before bed.