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.

Earthy & Rustic

The construction of Château Plaisance dates back to the 1780s, however its vineyards are much older. Bordering the Margaux appellation, Château Plaisance's vineyards overlooks the Garonne River and counts with ten hectares. 

The soils name 'palues' are mostly composed of clay, with a small percentage of sand. Its particularity is that is is located only a few meters away from the Garonne River. The 'palues' were gained on the river thanks to a draining technique implemented in Bordeaux by the Dutch. The 'palues' contain a large amount of sediments that were before underwater, making it a rich and fertile soil. In the past, wines produced on 'palues' were considered the best of their appellation.

An elegantly matured Bordeaux Superieur with surprising persistence. Named after the limestone soils ('palues') 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.

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!

Rich & Elegant

Softly-textured wine from an estate in Lussac-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.

Classy & Complex

Château Les Paruades is located in Macau en Médoc, on the foothills of the Margaux appellation and on the edge of the Gironde. The estate covers an area of 3.5 hectares with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc planted on clayey palus soil.  The vinification process follows the traditional methods of the Médoc, with total destemming and fermentation in stainless steel and concrete vats.

A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc in Pomerol mimic, attractive and edgy when it wants or needs to be. Right Bank stylistic in any case, herbals and amaro welling through with liqueur consistency and fashion. Quite chic and notably concentrated, really credible, with brisk acidity and plenty of toughness keeping the wine safe, elongated and with portents of further potential. Quite a steal actually.

Light & Bright

Stéphane Aviron is considered a pioneer in his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques.

This Gamay is made from 50+ year old vines which give it an extraordinary concentration of fruit and a true essence of the terroir of the region. The wine shows itself to be full of complexity and charm at the same time. It is so full of freshness and easy-drinking with fruity and floral notes of strawberry and spice.

Pair with just about anything or enjoy on its on as an aperitif. 

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. 

Structured & Floral

Located along the Loire river on the most reputable clay and limestone terroir of Saumur-Champigny appellation, Château de Parnay has been producing outstanding wines for more than two centuries.

This wine is made from old vine Cabernet Franc and it shows with beautiful notes of ripe red fruits, mint and spices. The palate is structured, silky and very well balanced. The length is exceptional.

Suggested pairing: grilled white meat, meaty stews, bœuf bourguignon, casseroles, and more) stuffed vegetables, cold meats, soft cheeses. 

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. 

For this 2010 blend, grapes are sourced from a satellite region of Bordeaux known as Lussac-Saint-Emilion even though the estate is located in neighbouring Montagne-Saint Emilion. Lussac-Saint-Emilion is the northernmost of the satellites and is slightly higher and more hilly than the others. The name of the estate means "blackened mill", and is in reference to two feuding brothers of the Middle Ages one of which burned the Château to the ground.

From an excellent vintage, this wine has held up remarkably well and is a delight to drink at present, salty and a touch ferrous with dried wild herbs, leather and macerated cherry on the palate. The tannins have been abated over time adding a velvety volume to the palate. Excellent length.

Fruity & Bright

Château de La Chaize is among the oldest, most historic estates in Burgundy’s Beaujolais region. Cared for by the same family for nearly three and a half centuries, the estate has been passed on to new owners, the Gruy family, who are equally committed to managing the estate with the utmost care, while implementing an ambitious environmental plan.

Brouilly is the southernmost appellation in Beaujolais. This cru site specifically - but apparent in the entire Beaujolais region – are hills more pronounced than you will find in Burgundy. Some are rolling while some are steeper, and this topography has a direct influence on the way the vine rows are planted, how they are tended (by hand or machine), and how the vines are pruned. Château de La Chaize estate is located on a natural amphitheater with south/southeast exposure, on steep hillsides of sandy pink granite that allow for excellent drainage.

For this wine, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts with semi-carbonic maceration - 50% Burgundian (destemmed) and 50% whole cluster. Pumping-over is practiced without punching down, to preserve the fruit and freshness of the wine. 70% of the wine is aged in stainless steel, 30% in foudres for 12 months.

Delectable, fruity nose underscored with aromas of red fruits and notes of nutmeg spice. Generous and aromatic on the palate, with supple, mellow tannins. Notes of red fruit and spice offer depth and lively acidity. Expressive, generous and enjoyable right now, this is a perfect wine to enjoy with a slight chill.

Pair with all meats, chicken, wild mushrooms, and strong cheeses.