Culturally located between France and Germany, Alsace nestles in the shade of the Vosges mountains and contains a marvellous selection of great wines and fabulous food. The flavours are pure, the sun shines remarkably often to ripen the grapes and the people are open and welcoming. It’s a great place to visit.

Spicily scented Gewurztraminer is the most distinctive of Alsace wines and Bruno Sorg is a bit of a specialist, keeping the all-important acidity levels up to give good balance. Pinot Blanc can produce deliciously creamy wines while good, smoky Alsace Pinot Gris bears little relation to budget Pinot Grigio! Cave de Pfaffenheim makes excellent examples of all these. Henri Ehrhart loves Riesling, but you will find his dry Muscat to be equally delightful. One last secret is Alsace’s Vendange Tardive sweet wines, which are remarkably silky and intense but, made in tiny quantities, they are never cheap – check our Oddments List for current stock.

The Jura region is 150 miles south of Alsace, half way between Dijon and Geneva. We stock the fascinating Savagnin from Jean Rijckaert, and occasionally have some rare Vin Jaune. Both are the best wines to match with smoked fish and meat, having an intense, almost nutty flavour.

Stephen Crosland