France
As well as the crus classés of Bordeaux and the premiers crus and grands crus of Burgundy, this historic wine producing country boasts some impressive regions. In fact, the first Appellation Contrôlée was Châteauneuf-du-Pape - just one of the Rhône’s many treats. By contrast, Alsace to the north-east is a particularly fine source of beautiful aromatic Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. The Loire Valley provides a plethora of great wines, not to mention France’s largest vineyard area, the Languedoc. Indeed, across the whole of southern France the quality of IGP wines (the new name for Vin de Pays!) has never been better: from rosé to robust reds, from fresh, crisp whites to soft easy-drinking reds like Tanners Merlot IGP.
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Louis Roederer Brut Premier - Magnum
Silver Medal at Decanter World Wine AwardsProduct Code: FC012M
Embodying Louis Roederer's style - fresh, creamy, fruity and structured. Delicate yet rich with aromas of almonds, toast and may blossom. Creamy, round and silky, this is gorgeously luxurious, generous and mature in style. More »
Champagne
France
Champagne Blend
Sparkling - Brut (dry)
Sparkling White
12.0%
Drink Now
Langoustine and Champagne risotto
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Moët et Chandon Brut Impérial - Magnum
Product Code: FC004M
Attractive and gently floral with green apples and citrus notes. Clean and fresh, with more apple and citrus fruit and an almost flinty character. This will develop further complexity if aged for eighteen months or so. More »
Champagne
France
Champagne Blend
Sparkling - Brut (dry)
Sparkling White
12.0%
Drink Now
Crab and chive omelette
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Beaucastel, P Perrin 2006 - Magnum
Product Code: RR04506M
The grapes here are picked when completely ripe but careful winemaking avoids extreme alcohol levels. Rich, luscious fruit flavours, robust yet with great complexity, are the hallmarks of this big, superbly crafted wine. More »
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France
Southern Rhône Blend
Red - Rich & spicy
Still Red Wine
14.5%
Keep
Tournedos of beef with seasonal vegetables
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Fixin, Champ Pennebaut, Denis Mortet 2009
Product Code: BR06709
It is worth looking out for the wines of Fixin like this attractive, rounded example from a superb Gevrey-Chambertin grower. It has a juicy core and is balanced, possibly because the vineyard is part limestone and part deep clay. More »
Fixin
France
Pinot Noir
Red - Medium-bodied
Still Red Wine
13.0%
Drink or Keep
Rabbit and mushroom hot pot
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Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Morgeot, Henri Germain et Fils 2007
Product Code: BW11607
Lovely pineapple and lime fruit, this wine is very pure with the attractive, mineral terroir character that is typical of Chassagne. The Germains are based in Meursault, their Chassagne vines being inherited by Madame Germain. More »
Chassagne-Montrachet
France
Chardonnay
White - Dry & oaked
Still White Wine
13.0%
Drink or Keep
Carpaccio of marinated scallops with shavings of black truffle
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Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Beaucastel, P Perrin 2008
Product Code: RR04508
Rich, luscious fruit flavours, robust yet with great complexity. More »
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France
Southern Rhône Blend
Red - Rich & spicy
Still Red Wine
14.5%
Keep
Tournedos of beef with seasonal vegetables
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Meursault-Charmes 1er cru, Henri Germain 2008
Product Code: BW09908
With all the floral, honeysuckle character you can expect from Charmes, Jean-François Germain has a deft use of oak to perfectly match its concentration. It ages magnificently, but also drinks well when relatively young. More »
Meursault
France
Chardonnay
White - Dry & oaked
Still White Wine
13.0%
Keep
A dozen Mersea Island or Belon native oysters
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Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Les Folatières, Moret-Nominé 2006
Product Code: BW12606
Wonderful citrus fruit and smoke on the nose, then very full in the mouth. Sunshine, then nuttiness and minerals. Old vines here give low-ish yields and concentration, year in, year out. More »
Puligny-Montrachet
France
Chardonnay
White - Dry & oaked
Still White Wine
13.5%
Drink or Keep
Lightly cooked green and wild asparagus with a Hollandaise sauce
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Château Batailley, 5me cru Pauillac 1998
Product Code: CR28098
Soft and feminine wine with juicy fruit, smooth and elegant. More »
Pauillac
France
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red - Medium-bodied
Still Red Wine
12.5%
Drink Now
Fillet of Welsh Black beef, bone marrow, triple cooked chips
