France

Bright & Juicy

At the very heart of the Rhône Valley, at the northerly tip of the Southern Rhône, lie the vineyards of Grignan-Les-Adhémar.

Le Devoy checks in as a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. It has terrific notes of forest floor, cracked pepper, flowers and darker berry fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, an elegant, supple texture and notable purity of fruit. This wine has considerable charm and appeal and makes for a great everyday bottle.

Pair this wine with just about anything!

Bold & Earthy

Frederic Brouca's wines have become the talk of the appellation in the Faugeres AOC, revered as a cru village in the Coteaux de Languedoc.
Hailed for their authenticity, purity and complexity, consumers and sommeliers rejoice when available.

Unlike many winemakers, Frederic Brouca is largely self-taught and took no formal courses on viticulture or winemaking. His concept of growing grapes and winemaking focuses on reducing human intervention in the processes, and making it as natural as possible.

This single-vineyard blend of Grenache, Syrah & Carignan offers a perfect combination of balance and power. Rich dark fruit and savoury roasted meat notes pop from the glass. The flavours are vibrant with a rich symphony of red, blue and black fruits along with a peppery spice note and a long, clean finish.

Pair with hearty winter stews, grilled lamb chops or enjoy on its own in front of a cozy fire after a long day.

Intense & Rich

Established in 2001 by Jacques Montagné, Clos del Rey is located in the heart of the appellation of Maury. Although Maury is best known for its sweet, port-like wines, Clos del Rey only produces dry red wines.

The Mediterranean influences of earthy, wild herbs make this robust red wine dense and concentrated, yet very lively. It displays a somewhat stony and intense finish that is still infectiously juicy. When it opens up, the intensity of the black fruits, the elusive minerality, the elegance and great balance become dramatically evident. Julien Montagne doesn't hide his wine behind masks; he employs no tricks. This is a wine made in the vineyards — truly authentic.

This wine is great with BBQ meats, lamb, beef, you name it.

Full & Smooth

Christine Autrand-Aubert took over this 80 hectare estate from her parents in 2002. Originally it was a mixed farm also growing olives and lavender but from the 1990s it specialized in viticulture with Syrah becoming the main grape. She is now joined by her son Aurélien, who helps manage the estate, winemaking and export. 

A classic blend of Grenache and Syrah that shows an uncanny freshness through salinity and minerality. It's loaded with strawberry, cherry and red plum jam, black pepper and liquorice. On the palate, it has firm tannins and an excellent length.

Elegant and balanced, this cuvée is ready to drink, and it has an ageing potential of 4 to 6 years.

Soft & Creamy

Just across the Rhône river from the beautiful vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Lirac appellation extends over the low hills alongside the river.

This is a blend of Marsanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul. The grapes are hand-picked and aged for 8 months in oak barrels.

This wine is creamy and lush, with hints of honeyed tangerine, melon and lime. Backed by a palate that's medium to full-bodied, slowly fading in intensity on the finish. A great example of how deliciously amazing Lirac can be.

What to drink with a Lirac Blanc? This wine and the mediterranean flavours of Bouillabaisse are a super match! It also pairs beautifully with poulet au citron et lavande (Lemon Lavender Chicken), another iconic recipe from the south of France.

Rich & Elegant

Just across the Rhone river from the beautiful vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Lirac appellation extends itself on the low hills alongside the river. This is a blend of Grenache (60%), Syrah (30%) and Cinsault (10%) planted on very old terraces made up of rocky pebbles.

This Lirac rouge shows lovely aromatics with notes of lavender, cinnamon dusted black cherries and plums. Some bright acidity and slightly dusty tannin provide a nice structure for this this full-bodied wine. It's a fantastic pairing for hearty dishes like stews and roasts.

Fresh & Floral

Located 50 km east from Saint-Émilion, the Barouillet family has been growing grapes for at least 8 generations in Pécharment, Monbazillac and Bergerac. Vincent Alexis, who joined his father in 2010, converted the vineyards to organic and is about to obtain the biodynamic certification. 

This splashy Pét-Nat is made from 50 year old Sémillon vines grown in clay and limestone soils. It is light in alcohol (only 9%!), fragrant, lively and richly textured on the palate. This bubbly has notes of lemon and lime, fresh apple and a touch of cut grass. Plenty of fizz!

Pop and enjoy!

Fresh & Fruity

Located in the heart of the South-West, at the very foothill of the Pyrenees in Pau, the Lionel Osmin & Cie Maison is constantly bottling the essence of their unique regional grapes and idyllic landscapes.

This Incontournable is made from Colombard, Gros Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc, the most popular blend for dry white wines in the South-West of France. A staple at every table on Arcachon's boardwalk, a beautiful village by the Ocean in the outskirts of Bordeaux, the Cuvée Marine is fresh and fruity, with aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry and a flinty salinity. On the palate is expressive, with a special texture given by a short maceration on the skins before pressing; vibrant and with a minimal saltiness that enhances its flavours.

Enjoy this wine with seafood or anything spicy.

Fresh & Delicate

Mas Carlot is situated in the south of the Rhône Valley, extending across 76 hectares of pebbly land southeast of Nîmes.

This seductive rosé is a traditional blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%). Beautifully pale in colour and soft in texture, this is probably the most fashionable vintage to date. Delicate aromas of raspberry, watermelon, citrus fruits & herbes de Provence flow from the glass. The flavours are fruity, dry and crisp with an elegant balance & structure. This is a serious rose at an accessible price.

Mas Carlot Rosé is the perfect rosé to pair with any summer time meal, including tapas and barbecue. It is also a great wine to enjoy with cheese boards or just on it's own at any time!

Fruity & Mineral

Built in the 15th century, the Château de la Grange-Barbastre belonged to the Barbastre family, Lord of the Grange, until the end of the 16th century. The property passed to the de Goulaine family in 1777.

Planted on slopes facing south and southeast, this Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu sur Lie is cultivated on the best soils of the estate and from vines that are over 40 years old.

Aged on its fine lees for 11 months, the nose is elegant with hints of white flowers, lemon zest, ginger and salty minerality. The contact with the lees for an extended period of time to develop a beautiful creamy texture balanced out by bracing acidity. 

Muscadet Sur Lie is an exquisite pairing with oysters or any other type of shellfish. A true classic pairing would be 'moules frites' - mussels tossed in shallots, white wine and herbs with a side of french fries!

Rich & Elegant

Softly-textured wine from an estate in Montagne-Saint-Emilion. Moulin Noir consists of seven hectares of vineyards on a good clay and limestone site. The wine is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc and is aged 12 months in oak.

This notably complex right bank blend from a satellite appellation of Saint-Emilion offers appealing savoury notes along with a mineral, iron component and liquorice spice. The oak treatment is wonderfully integrated with wood spice elevating the bright red fruit. Harmoniously matured, graceful and very elegant. The staying power of the finish is impressive. Drinking very well now.

The high content of Merlot in this wines makes it perfect with spicy Asian dishes like Korean hotspots or Chinese food. It also pairs nicely with roasted lamb or duck terrines and with fatty cheeses like Comté.

Rich & Sweet

Jurançon is a very small wine region located in the Pyrenees, famous for its sweet wines made with late harvested grapes. The grapes are hand-harvested later in the season when the sugar levels are really high and the water content is very low. The delicate honey and herb-tinged nose is enticing, with a sweet edge. It has a lovely rich texture with notes of straw and herb on the palate and good balance with a honeyed sweetness.

This is the wine you want to open at the very beginning or at the very end of a dinner. It matches beautifully with all kinds of cheeses, specially goat and blue cheeses; as well as with foie-grass. It is also terrific as a dessert wine.

Broad & Mineral

The Baud estate dates back to 1742. Today, ninth generation vignerons Clementine and Bastien Baud are making some of the best-value wines in Jura. This unique wine region is a narrow valley in the remote hills between Burgundy and Switzerland that was once covered by an ocean millions of years ago. If you kick a stone in a Jura vineyard, it will probably be a fossil!

Controlled oxidation at its finest. A beautiful juxtaposition of vibrant fruits aromas and nutty oxidative flavours. The Domaine Baud 'Cuvée Flor' presents an intense range of flavours, boasting concentrated honeysuckle, ripe apricot, candied meyer lemon, sourdough, honeycomb, and freshly grounded cloves. The wine attacks the palate with mouthwatering acidity, followed by citrus flesh, bruised golden delicious and burned honey, intensely mineral, with a nutty and umami finish.

Pair this wine with comté cheese, cream-based baked fish, seafood, raclette, and poultry.

Floral & Spicy

Unlike many winemakers, Frederic Brouca is largely self-taught and took no formal courses on viticulture or winemaking.  His concept of growing grapes and winemaking focuses on reducing human intervention in the processes, and making it as natural as possible.

This Foulage Gaulois Rouge is Brouca's first Pinot Noir. It comes from a single vineyard in St. Chinian, Languedoc; and it has been aged in a mix of amphora and stainless steel.

Subtle aromas of cranberry and sweet cherry. Floral and spicy. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins and acidity to keep it alive. Structured and textured. Perfumed rather than overpowering.

Unfined, unfiltered with minimal sulfur added at bottling.

Mineral & Zesty

From a new family (relatively speaking) in Chablis, the estate belongs to Marie-Noëlle & Laurent Ternynck. They have deep roots in the surrounding area of AOC Burgundy, farming for multiple generations. 

This old vines Chardonnay is wild fermented fermented in stainless steel tanks, then ages “Sur Lee” for 12 months after malolactic fermentation is complete. The fruit is gathered from vineyards in Fleys and this area sits at a higher altitude on a windswept plateau, which helps maintain the acidity in the wine.  Fresh, floral and mineral on the nose. There are notes of fresh almond, hazelnut, citrus and white flowers on the palate. It is balanced, structured and texture example of classic favourite. 

Keep it chilled in the fridge, uncork it at the end of the day and pour yourself a glass! Also pairs well with oysters, all kinds of fish dishes, and roasted chicken.

Textured & Mineral

When Michel Muré settled in Rouffach and planted his vineyard in the 17th century, he surely had little conception of the beautiful adventure that he was setting in motion for his descendants. In 1935, Alfred Muré extended the property with the addition of the 12-hectare (25-acre) wholly owned Clos Saint Landelin, foreseeing already its potential for exceptional quality. He replanted the terraces, ideally situated with their sunny exposure and shelter from the rain.

Nowadays it is Alfred’s grandson René, together with his children Véronique and Thomas, the 11th and 12th generations of the family, who are responsible for running this exceptional, wholly-owned vineyard and its neighbouring terroirs, using biodynamic methods.

Muré's Sylvaner is a lovely wine.  On the nose, it delivers delicate aromas and flavours of quince, green apple and mineral. On the palate, it finishes long and clean with a soft refined perfume. 

Lovely as an aperitif; a must with shellfish and asparagus dishes.

Zesty & Creamy

Located 50 km east from Saint-Émilion, the Barouillet family has been growing grapes for at least 8 generations in Pécharment, Monbazillac and Bergerac. Vincent Alexis, who joined his father in 2010, converted the vineyards to organic and is about to obtain the biodynamic certification. 

This charming and expressive white is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, and Chenin that were grown 100% sulphur free on clay & calcareous soils. Together, they create a well-balanced wine – a surprising union between freshness, fullness and aromas. There is a lightly oxidative note and a bready, lees-y back palate that bounces off the fruit which is at once fresh and zesty and creamy and opulent. Easy, fun and just a little bit wild.

Enjoy it by the glass and with white meats or poultry.

Zesty & Creamy

Located 50 km east from Saint-Émilion, the Barouillet family has been growing grapes for at least 8 generations in Pécharment, Monbazillac and Bergerac. Vincent Alexis, who joined his father in 2010, converted the vineyards to organic and is about to obtain the biodynamic certification. 

This charming and expressive white is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, and Chenin that were grown 100% sulphur free on clay & calcareous soils. Together, they create a well-balanced wine – a surprising union between freshness, fullness and aromas. There is a lightly oxidative note and a bready, lees-y back palate that bounces off the fruit which is at once fresh and zesty and creamy and opulent. Easy, fun and just a little bit wild.

Enjoy it by the glass and with white meats or poultry.

Mellow & Textured

Two real taste enthusiasts, winemaker Julien Bonneau and Chef Alexandre Lavigne were eager to share their own range of wines and created Cuvée Emma made from vineyards located on the hillsides of St Bonnet sur Gironde in the south of the Charente Maritime, a sub-region near the Ocean, on the outskirts of Bordeaux.

Emma embodies the purity of a natural wine, Alexandre Lavigne and Julien Bonneau attach a great importance on sustainable vine cultivation were the balance of the plant and grape maturity are essential. Winemaking is naturally done without the use of sulphites. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine has aromas of caramel, peaches and dried fruits on the nose. On the palate, there is great texture and length. 

Enjoy with firm cheeses or fish in a beurre blanc.

Fresh & Juicy

To express their love for great flavours, Winemaker Julien Bonneau (Château Haut Grelot) and Chef Alexandre Lavigne dreamt up their own range of wines and created Cuvée Emma. 

Bunches of Merlot grapes are sourced from the hillsides of St Bonnet sur Gironde in the south of the Charente Maritime, a sub-region near the Ocean, on the outskirts of Bordeaux.

Emma embodies the purity of a natural wine, the commitment to sustainable viticulture, and the importance of the vine balance. Winemaking is naturally done without the use of sulphites. The wine boasts notes of black fruits and candied fruit. It is fruit-forward, full-bodied, with a beautiful length.

Suggested pairing: red meats and umami flavours, such as cacio e pepe or carbonara pastas. 

Floral & Zesty

Espérance Rosé exemplifies the Mediterranean lifestyle and 'Joie de Vivre'. The idea is to offer a pure expression of the Mediterranean: a rosé blend made with traditional grape varieties from the South of France: Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah.

This exquisite rosé has aromas of rose petals and sweet English candy on the nose. On the palate, it's fresh, nicely balanced and savoury, with notes of citrus on the finish.

The Espérance Rosé will turn any charcuterie and cheese boards, fresh salads, light pastas, or cold appetizers into a slice of gastronomic heaven.

Elegant & Crisp

Château Haut Grelot is located near the Gironde Estuaire, north of the town of Bordeaux. Haut Grelot has been making wine and taking great care of their vineyards since its establishment in 1920!

This is a classic Bordeaux blend: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon & 5% Muscadelle. It's a floral, crisp and elegant wine that offers exotic fruit aromas: grapefruit, gooseberry and wild herbs that intermingle with ample citrus fruit on the palate. It has a generous weight, roundness and a perfect balance that let's you savour every drop.

Perfect to drink by itself or pair with seafood, chicken, fresh salads and cheese boards.

Bright & Creamy

Fresne-Ducret is rich in family history and has been rooted in the premier cru village of Villedommange since the mid 1800s. Le Chemin du Chemin is a foray into the essence of their winery.

The first aromas are of apricot and fresh bread, with floral notes, giving way to more complex notes of praline, hazelnut and shortbread. In the mouth, delicate brioche aromas, creamy and buttery, followed by a savouriness with hints of tea. Particularly well-balanced, with a soft astringency.  Aged for a minimum of 48 months on the lees in underground cellars.

Pair this excellent champagne with all the classics matches: oysters, light fish dishes... We also recommend to pair it with fried chicken, porchetta, potato chips or seared scallops. It really does goes with everything!

Vibrant & Juicy

Advocates of the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, the Viret family has chosen to employ a particular form of natural viticulture throughout their estate located in Saint Maurice, Rhône. Known as "cosmoculture®", this is based on cosmotelluric exchanges. Everything is organized in such a way that both vines and wines are able draw on their own natural defences.

From young vines of Syrah with a splash of Mourvèdre and tiny amounts Picpoul Noir, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, and Counoise, “Energie;” vinified and aged in a combination of cement and steel tanks for one year with no added sulfur. The long but gentle infusion-method of extraction gives this wine great clarity of line, with pure, ringing acidity and a tasteful spiciness that speaks more of the northern Rhône than the frequently coarse Syrah of these southerly zones; its name could hardly be more apt.

Great to drink on it's own or to pair with light dinners.

Creamy & Citrusy

Advocates of the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, the Viret family has chosen to employ a particular form of natural viticulture throughout their estate located in Saint Maurice, Rhône. Known as “cosmoculture®”, this is based on cosmotelluric exchanges. Everything is organised in such a way that both vines and wines are able draw on their own natural defenses.

Solstice Blanc is a thirst-quenching natural white wine with aromas of flowers and stone fruit made from Vermentino, Muscat petit grain, Marsanne, Viognier, Clairette and Bourboulenc grown in the south-facing terraces of Aygues. It was hand-harvested and fermented with native yeasts in concrete vats.

Full bodied, on the nose it has aromas of almonds and lime zest, and a hint of wild Mediterranean herbs and spice. On the palate, it is round and creamy, with notes of vanilla, orange peel and candied grapefruit.

Earthy & Fresh

Nicolas Potel is an iconic producer in Burgundy. He grew up in a family dedicated entirely to wine; and after gaining some experience internationally, he started his own project in the late 90's.

This entry-level red Burgundy comes from vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The vines range in age from 30 to 80 years and are farmed sustainably.  Think delicious smashed cherry skins, crunchy acidity and a fresh vibrant intensity. Beneath all the fresh red fruit there is a subtle earthiness and chalky tannins.  This old vines Burgundy has finesse and a real quaffable quality.

This Bourgogne Pinot Noir is light enough to pair with salmon but complex enough to accompany duck confit. Try it with earthy-fatty meals like mushroom risotto, grilled trout or gnocchi with ricotta!

Earthy & Rustic

An elegantly matured Bordeaux Superieur with surprising persistence. Named after the limestone soils ('palus') of the vineyards, this blend of 70% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot is showing lovely earthy, leather and licorice notes along with cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant.

A stunning value.

Pair with rack of lamb and braised fennel.

Bright & Creamy

The Baud estate dates back to 1742, today the 9th generation manages the winery. Siblings Clementine and Bastien, both under 30, are making some of the best-value wines in the area. Jura is that narrow valley in the remote hills between Burgundy and Switzerland, which millions of years ago was covered by an Ocean and today still bares many of the fossils from that time. If you kick a stone in a Jura vineyard, it will probably be a fossil!

This sparkler, or Crémant, is made in the traditional Champagne style, where the second fermentation happens inside the bottle. Expect rich aromatics of apple fruit with citrus, toasted brioche and a striking minerality. It sparks a great balance between creaminess and vivacity.  If you like Champagne, but not the price tag, then this is the wine of choice for you. 

It is very versatile at the table and you can drink this with almost any dish: try it with all types of classic cuisine or even spicy Asian dishes, caramelized popcorn or fried chicken.

Featured on Chatelaine's "Best Bargain Sparkling Wines Under $30"!