Our Portfolio - France

Rich & Zesty

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Founded in 2005, Domaine de Bellene focuses on crafting wines from old vines with a commitment to sustainable, organic farming. Winemaker and proprietor Nicolas Potel's approach emphasizes producing wines that authentically reflect their origins and vintages, while preserving the land and culture for future generations. Under his leadership, Domaine de Bellene has earned respect among Burgundy enthusiasts, offering wines from both renowned and lesser-known appellations.

The Monts de Boncourt vineyard, planted with Chardonnay in 1999 on a 21.4-are clay-marl terroir, produces rich and complex wines. The soil is mechanically maintained to control weeds and prevent erosion. A nearby stone quarry creates a unique micro-climate by radiating stored heat during the night after hot, sunny days. Ripe and fresh aromas of pear, apple, and a hint of wet stone lead to rich, full-bodied flavours with good persistence. A distinctive saline character shines through, highlighting the unique terroir above Nuits and Vosne, making this a standout value worth noting.

Peter Sichel (of the Bordeaux négociant family) first discovered the valley of Cucugnan on a road trip with a friend in the 1960s. He was so spellbound by the place that he bought a house there and, in 1988, planted a vineyard. The project grew, albeit slowly, but the arrival of Peter’s thoughtful and environmentally inspired grandson, Alexander Sichel, has turned the Domaine Peter Sichel project completely around.

This single vineyard wonder showcases 100% Roussanne, sourced from 80-year-old vines thriving at an altitude of 500m on the Termenès terroir, where clay and marl soils blend harmoniously. With the Mediterranean climate cooling under its altitude and a hint of Atlantic influence, the grapes were meticulously hand-harvested on September 15, 2023, then gently pressed and fermented using indigenous yeasts—half in terracotta amphorae, half in 500L barrels—for approximately 20 days.

After a nine-month aging process, this exceptional vintage emerges, adorned in pale yellow with light green highlights. It offers a clean, expressive nose of white flowers and subtle citrus notes, while its intricate minerality and vibrant acidity provide a lively yet elegant structure. It pairs wonderfully with seafood, refined dishes, and Tommes cheese. This wine not only delights in its youth but also promises lovely surprises with age.

Approachable & Fruity

This product is offered at select LCBO stores in Vintages for a limited time. For help locating stock, feel free to contact us at info@npwines.com.

Please note: This product requires a minimum lead time of two weeks prior to shipping when fulfilling orders through NPW.

Nicolas Potel was an iconic figure and pioneering force in Burgundy’s modern winemaking landscape. A native of Volnay with winemaking in his blood, he built his reputation early on through a natural affability that helped him establish a broad and lasting network within the wine trade. After studying viticulture in Beaune and gaining experience both locally and abroad, he founded Maison Roche de Bellene in 1997 - a négociant house dedicated to small-lot bottlings with a strong focus on sourcing old-vine parcels. He later expanded the range with Collection Bellenum, which specializes in the acquisition and release of carefully cellared, well-aged vintages from growers with a tradition of long-term ageing. An early advocate of organic farming and a consistent champion of terroir expression, Potel was widely respected for his vision and integrity; he tragically passed away in the summer of 2025, leaving behind a significant legacy in Burgundy and beyond.

An elegant, dry, medium-bodied Pinot Noir made from old vines. The nose is lifted and complex, with earthy, floral aromatics alongside ripe red berries and cherry. The palate is finely balanced and expressive, unfolding in layers of sweet spice, savoury herbs, and a subtle flinty note that frames a pure core of red fruit.

Crisp & Fruity

Domaine de la Garenne's Sancerre, made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, is crafted from 7 hectares of vineyards primarily located in Verdigny, with a small parcel in Sancerre. The wine is grown on a mix of calcareous "Caillottes," clay-limestone "Terres Blanches," and flint soils, offering a vibrant, full-bodied character with mineral complexity. 

The colour is crystalline with golden reflections. The blend of the different terroirs, combined with a harvest at perfect maturity give a good harmony to this wine. During the tasting, the elegant notes of citrus and white-fleshed fruits give way to mineral and floral aromas.

With its crisp acidity and zesty flavors, this wine pairs well with a variety of foods, particularly seafood dishes like oysters or fresh fish, and dishes with goat cheese, along with lighter fares like salads and sushi. 

Domaine de la Garenne's Sancerre Rouge, made from 100% Pinot Noir, is sourced from two hectares of vineyards in the commune of Verdigny, where the soil is primarily clay-limestone marl. The vines, averaging 30 years in age, are cultivated using organic methods, with careful attention to tillage, yield control, and manual leaf thinning—without the use of herbicides or insecticides. 

Part of the production is aged in 500-litre oak barrels which allows the Domaine to obtain a balanced wine, with small red fruits (cherry, sour cherry) aromatics and subtle oaked notes. The colour is garnet with purple undertones, and the palate is delicious. 

Suggested pairings include red mullet or monkfish; the Sancerre Rouge would also work with a well-ripened Brie or Camembert. 

Rich & Spicy

The origin of Château Lamartine goes back to 1883, when Lise and Benjamin’s great grand father acquired a piece of land and started to farm grapes and sell wine in barrels. The winery holds the 'Haute Valeur Environnementale' certificate in sustainability, and are right now in their third year of organic conversion.

The Cahors AOP is right in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea. We could say that it’s the heart of the South West. Due to its geographic situation, the appellation has a particular microclimate, which is perfect for Malbec.

This is a rich wine with powerful tannins. It has ripe dark blue and black fruit notes with a touch of vanilla.  While the tannins are full the wine has a great acid backbone to maintain the structure.

This is a top value, structured and succulent red that is ready to sip alongside some salty, fatty protein.

Fruity & Bright

Château Haut Grelot, situated near the Gironde Estuary north of Bordeaux, has been dedicated to vineyard care and winemaking since 1920. 

This classic Bordeaux blend features 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, cultivated in the gravelly, sandy, and silty soils of Côtes de Bordeaux. Exhibiting a deep ruby hue, its bouquet reveals vibrant red berry aromas complemented by vanilla and spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth, fruit-forward, and well-structured, making it an excellent companion to game or red meat dishes.

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 Vin de France is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, sourced from a 2-hectare vineyard with sandy, silty, and clay-rich soils. Yields are kept to 50 hl/ha, with grapes mechanically harvested and sorted. Vinification is followed by 6 months of aging in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness and varietal character. The wine shows a vibrant dark pink hue and a very bright appearance. Its intense nose reveals aromas of strawberry and floral notes, while the palate is round and fruity with lovely richness, leading to a generous, persistent finish.

Perfect to serve young and fresh as an aperitif, with a summer salad, pizzas, or grilled meat.

Raised amidst the vineyards, Alexandre Favier is part of a long line of winemakers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. His grandfather, Noël Sabon, hails from one of the region’s most renowned winemaking families. Alexandre began his viticultural studies at the age of fifteen in Orange, completing his exams by 2001. Just a year later, at the age of twenty, he assumed full winemaking responsibilities at Domaine Chante Cigale when his father’s health declined. Today, Domaine Chante Cigale stands as one of the most important family estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The Cicada Blanc is an unusual yet harmonious blend of Grenache Blanc (40%), Viognier (30%), and Picpoul Blanc (30%). The Grenache Blanc and Picpoul are sourced from clay-limestone soils in Richerenches, Vaucluse, while the Viognier comes from the Northern Rhône. Vinified in stainless steel with a short one-week maceration, the result is an easy-drinking, unoaked French table wine with citrus and pear aromas, a soft, rounded palate, and a silky mineral finish.

Savour this delicious wine with Coconut flavoured Thai and Vietnamese dishes, or as a delicious foil to barbecued or grilled mackerel.

Leathery & Peppery

As at many family domaines with deep roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, vigneron Alexandre Favier was by his own account “raised in the vineyards”: Alexandre’s grandfather, Noël Sabon, is from one of the best known winemaking families in the region. Alexandre himself began his viticultural studies in Orange at the age of fifteen and passed the exams four years later in 2001. A year later (at age twenty!) he took over winemaking duties at the domaine when his father experienced health problems. Today, Domaine Chante Cigale is one of the most important family estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

This wine comes from 30-year-old vines grown in clay-limestone soil, composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Carignan. Hand-harvested with careful grape selection, it undergoes a short maceration of about a week and is matured in tanks on fine lees. The result is a brilliant red wine with a fresh nose of red fruits, balanced acidity, and soft tannins.

Best served chilled, it pairs well with grilled meats, cold dishes, cheese, and even chocolate cake. Ideal for enjoying young, it has an aging potential of 2–3 years.

Complex & Powerful

Julien Bonneau, (Château Haut Grelot in the Blayais), and his friend Alexandre Lavigne, restaurateur in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, created in 2014 a range of wines, Grains d'Estuaire, from a 10 ha vineyard located in Saint-Bonnet-sur-Gironde, in the south of Charente-Maritime.

Crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and produced at a yield of 40 hectoliters per hectare. The vines thrive in gravelly-sandy loam soils on the Agrières hillsides, near the estuary, which contribute to the wine’s distinctive character and structure. Vinification is carried out entirely in barrels, ensuring a meticulous expression of the grape and terroir. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 16 months in 225-liter barrels, allowing it to develop depth, complexity, and refined balance. On the nose, it reveals woody, vanilla, and toasty aromas complemented by the freshness of red fruits. The palate is powerful and full-bodied, with enveloping tannins and a long, aromatic finish.

Enjoy with red or game meats.