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: June 2026.

Alcohol: 12.5%.

Drinking window: 2025 – 2029.

Food matching: Delicious with fish pie.

The Wine.

The flagship white of the domaine, 100% Chardonnay aged in French oak for 12 months. Crisp and refreshing at 12.5% abv with notes of citrus, lychee and watermelon, a bit of toasty oak, and a lip-smacking fresh finish. This is beautifully balanced, highly more-ish white Burgundy with a delicate character that reflects its northern Burgundy terroir.

The Domaine.

In 1992 Olivier Morin retired from his career in music to take on the family vineyards in Chitry. Here, together with his wife Nelly, he produces a handful of excellent, small production wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Aligoté grapes. They have 14 hectares under vine, all farmed with a keen eye on sustainability, and they use a light touch approach in the vineyard and the winery to allow the Chitry terroir to shine through in their wines.

The Appellation.

Bourgogne Chitry is located 12km to the southwest of Chablis. It has the same Kimmeridgian marl and limestone soils as its more famous neighbour but being located in a natural amphitheatre tends to produce a slightly riper style of wine.

Offered: June 2026

Alcohol: 12.5%

Drinking window: 2026 - 2030

Food matching: Aged Comté, creamy fish dishes, grilled chicken, pan fried veal.

The Wine.

A slightly softer, fruitier alternative to Champagne with its own distinctly Burgundian style. Dry, crisp and vinous with stone fruits, hawthorn and notes of brioche. Serious sparkling wine at a very good price.

The Domaine.

In 1992 Olivier Morin retired from his career in music to take on the family vineyards in Chitry. Here, together with his wife Nelly, he produces a handful of excellent, small production wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Aligoté grapes. They have 14 hectares under vine, all farmed with a keen eye on sustainability, and they use a light touch approach in the vineyard and the winery to allow the Chitry terroir to shine through in their wines.

The Appellation.

Crémant de Bourgogne A.O.C. is made across the Burgundy region, predominantly from the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It is made using the traditional Champagne method and production rules are strict in order to keep quality high. The style varies depending on where in Burgundy the wine comes from. It is an excellent alternative to Champagne and comes at a very good price.

Offered: June 2026

Alcohol: 12.5%

Drinking window: 2026 - 2029

Food matching: Delicious as an aperitif, with shell fish or Burgundian charcuterie – saucisson, rillettes – or creamy cheeses.

The Wine.

A silky smooth, fruit forward and complex Beaujolais red from the excellent 2023 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: May 2026.

Alcohol: 13%.

Drinking window: 2026 - 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: May 2026.

Alcohol: 13%.

Drinking window: 2026 - 2028.

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

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 2026.

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 2026 - 2028.

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: April 2026.

Alcohol: 14%.

Drinking window: 2026 - 2028.

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

The Wine

Exceptional value and beautifully balanced. Soft, silky, fruity, floral Pinot Noir which hits all the right notes. Absolutely good to go now. Drink through to 2030.

The Domaine

A family estate of 15 hectares based in the village of Auxey-Duresses. The estate was taken over by cousins Alexis and Simon from their respective fathers in 2018. This marked a notable change in terms of cultivation and winemaking styles and has made them a producer to watch in this up-and-coming appellation. The estate produces 75% red and 25% white.

The Appellation

The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune vineyards cover the south facing slopes above the Côte de Beaune proper. The aspect and extra 100 - 200m of altitude means a later harvest and gives the wines a freshness as as well as plenty of fruit. This AOC is a an excellent source of fine red and white Burgundy at good prices.

Offered: March 2026

Alcohol: 13.5%

Drinking window: Drink now through to 2030.

Food matching: Roast game, truffle dishes, a young Comté.