The Ten Crus

The ten Beaujolais crus (top growths) deliver the best wines of the region These areas follow the course of the Saone river. These appellations showcase, in very different ways, the finest expressions of the gamay grape

- BROUILLY The southernmost and most extensive of the Beaujolais crus stretches around Mont Brouilly, climbing up into granite hills. Wines from Brouilly tend to be brightly fruity, perfumed and smooth

- COTE DE BROUILLY A smaller cru that covers the higher slopes and summit of Mount Brouilly on the famous blue rock of the region, rated by ancient volcanic action. Wines can be complex, fresh and slightly spicy/peppery

- RÉGNIÉ Famous for the village church with two spires, Régnié has plenty of the granitic soils favoured for growing gamay Its wines are scented and packed with red fruit flavours.

- MORGON A large cru with myriad soils, overlooked by Mont du Py. Deeply aromatic and rich, firm reds, sometimes with a minerality, which age particularly well

- CHIROUBLES Steep vineyards characterise this cru, the highest vines grown in Beaujolais, at up to 600m. Cooler temperatures at these altitudes help create fresh elegant reds

- FLEURIE A granite-rich cru with 90% of its soils originating from pink granite Its wines range from delicate and lightly scented ? ?pretty?is often used to describe them ?to riper, more juicy and firm.

- MOULIN-A-VENT Vineyards here surround a 15th century windmill, hence the name of this cru Its wines are known for their ageing potential, and can be relatively firm in structure.

- CHÉNAS The smallest appellation in Beaujolais, named after the ancient oak forests which used to cover the land Wines used to be underrated; now they are appreciated more for their generous, broad flavours and ability to age.

- JULIÉNAS Another cru with steep slopes and some higher altitude. Juliénas appeals for well -balanced, fairly ripe wines which can be enjoyed when young or with a few years?ageing

- SAINT-AMOUR The northernmost Beaujolais cru can produce light, easy-going reds with floral notes and more powerful wines so check out each producer Especially popular on Valentine?s Day!

Beaujolais

Clos du Vieux Bourg, Corcelles

Domaine

bel Avenir, La Chapelle-de-Guinchay

Domaine de Mont Joly, Blacé

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is famous for its high-quality red wines made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grapes

Less well known are its white wines, typically made from a blend of Sauvignon

In England, Bordeaux wine is often referred to as "claret", which comes from the French word "clairet," meaning "pale red " The term was originally used to describe the light red wines of Bordeaux, but it later came to refer specifically to the rich, full-bodied red wines produced in the region

Burgundy

Maison Nuiton-Beaunoy, Beaune

Meet the Winemaker

Les Vignobles Foncalieu, Arzens

Les Vignobles Foncalieu are a union of cooperatives anchored in the heart of Languedoc They have vineyards from the Corbières massif to the banks of the Mediterranean, from the Mistral swept hillsides to the sun-caressed plains between Carcassonne and Beziers

Since 2007 they have been committed to sustainable development. They seek to preserve their vineyards by supporting members to implement sustainable practices, such as protecting biodiversity, adopting drip irrigation and, installing grass strips.

For example, as part of their commitment to environmentally friendly cultivation a new method to disrupt the mating of grape worms helped to reduce spraying across 1,100 hectares of vines

A.R Lenoble, Damery Champagne

Languedoc-Roussillon

Loire Valley

Do Amirault Crémant de Loire, Sparkling ? NV 75cl £22 10 £19 89

Do de la Combe Mucadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie ? 2020/21 75cl £12 21 £10 99

Do Neveu "Les Longues Fins", Sancerre ? 2020/21 75cl £23.50 £21.15

Do Octavie Sauvignon de Touraine ? 2020/21 75cl £15.50 £13.95

Do St Vincent, Saumur Champigny ? 2021 75cl £17 50 £15 75

Meet the Winemaker

Domaine Amirault, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

The estate, certified Ecocert and Demeter, is cultivated to biodynamic guidelines, respecting the environment Clos des Quarterons is a 37 hectare family run estate and the sixth generation of the Amirault family, Agnes and Xavier are now in charge The domaine has a single hectare of Chenin Blanc, planted for crémant on gravel and siliceous soils

Provence

Chateau d'Esclans, La Motte en Provence

Rock Angel ? 2022 75cl £35.50 £31.95

Whispering Angel ? 2022 75cl £22 50 £20 25

Others

Crazy Tropez ? 2022 75cl £13 50 £12 15

Do de la Vielle Tour Rosé ? 2022 75cl £15 50 £13 95

Louis Alix "Les Calanques Bleues" Rosé ? 2020 75cl £16.50 £14.85

Rhône Valley

Chateau Maucoil, Orange

Domaine Boutinot, Cairanne

Others

South West

Domaine Menard, Gondrin

Italy

Abruzzo

Basilicata

Campania

Emilia-Romagna

Montaia, Cesena

Friuli-Venezie

Casali del Barone, Piemonte

Mario Giribaldi, Rodello

Meet the Winemaker

Mario Giribaldi, Rodello

One of the first vineyards in Italy to become organic, Giribaldi wines are a family affair. Mario Giribaldi is the third generation of the family His wines are a reflection of the people who make them, those who work in the vineyard under the all-day sun, or in the cold winter snow. He is joined by the fourth generation, his son Matteo and his daughter Alessandra

Sicily

Tuscany

Meet the Winemaker

Castello di Querceto, Firenze

Castello di Querceto is located near Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area Its land extends over 190 hectares of vineyards, olive, oak and chestnut trees Built in Roman times, the castle was bought by the François family in 1897 who had moved from France to Tuscany in the 18th century

Since 1978, Alessandro François and his family have been the driving forces behind the winery The other key people behind Castello di Querceto are winemaker Giovanni Cappelli, who has been with the company for 20 years and has contributed greatly to its growth, and agronomist Giacomo Grassi, who has been the driving force behind the expansion of the area under vines.