French Wine

Abbayes de Santenay’s wines reflects the philosophy of Ludovic Pierrot, the winemaker. Purity of the wine and expression of the terroir. This is Pinot Noir from 75 year old vines facing south east on clay limestone soil. 80% is destemmed and cold soaked and then aged for 15 months with 20% new oak. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel.

Great value at this price for quality Burgundy.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the key grapes in the south of France and this one comes from two areas; the Cévennes and the Aude Valley. It's full bodied, dry and has smooth fruit forward flavours balanced by Cabernet's famous structured tannins, which add complexity and grip to the finish. We think this wine rocks great value for money - and tastes approachable right now.

Corbieres is a large appellation in the Languedoc in the south of France and is best known for its deep, dark, full bodied reds, like this wine, made from Grenache and Syrah. The region's warm climate and variety of soils mean that wines from Corbieres tend to gain a complex range of flavours from fruity to earthy and spicy. This wine delivers big time on flavour and is great value for money.

Mourvedre is a southern French grape (also known as Mataro in Spain) and is known for its dark delicious chocolatey flavours and aromas of mocha, earth and bold black fruit ripeness. 

The late ripening Mourvedre grape is typically used as a blending grape but here it stands alone in a spicy, smooth, soft and fruity red. 

Chardonnay with bubbles combines two of the wine world's most popular things and this wine comes from Limoux in the southern French region of Languedoc. This is a fresh, crisp wine made using the Champagne method. Extended ageing on the lees adds toasted notes and a rich texture. This wine is exceptionally good for the price.

This classic French rose is pale, dry and hails from Provence. It is pronounced ?X? and, yes, its flavour more than hits the spot if you love the flavours of refreshing dry pink wine from the Mediterranean - and let's face it, who doesn't?

This wine comes from the historical city of Aix-en-Provence and tastes of red fruit flavours such as summer berries, held together by a medium body and zingy finish. Its label features two Mandarin ducks, which are birds who famously stay together for life. 

This classic French rosé is pale, dry and hails from Provence. It is pronounced ‘X’ and, yes, its flavour more than hits the spot if you love the flavours of refreshing dry pink wine from the Mediterranean - and let's face it, who doesn't?

This wine comes from the historical city of Aix-en-Provence and tastes of red fruit flavours such as summer berries, held together by a medium body and zingy finish. Its label features two Mandarin ducks, which are birds who famously stay together for life. 

This is one of our most popular Cotes du Rhone and for good reason; it's a Syrah dominate wine which over delivers with its deep ruby colour, dark dry black fruit flavours and firm smooth tannins. It comes from a long lineage of wines from the family owned southern French winery Domaine Alary, situated on the road to Rasteau, which dates back to 1692. The family owns vines grown at altitude near to the village of Cairanne, one of the southern Rhone's most respected appellations, and also in other areas outside of this. 

Like most southern Rhone wine producers, Domaine Alary grows a vast number of grapes, including reds Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre. Carignan, Counoise and Cinsault with five whites; Roussanne, Clairette, Viognier , Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc.

The Alary family's involvement in viticulture and wine production dates back as far as 1692. The estate now comprises 29 hectares of vines of which 26 hectares are Grenache dominant and 3 are Rousanne dominant - with holdings in Rasteau and Cairanne.

The wine is a deep red colour and opens with a nose of dried fruit, ripe plums and savoury notes. The palate is broad and rich with dark plum fruits and good tannin structure leading to a long mineral finish.

Unfined, unfiltered and organic.

The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. They settled in Burgundy in 1350, in their fief of Ch?teauneuf-en-Auxois. The family's coat of arms has not changed since nor has its symbol, a doe (biche).

Alb?ric Bichot joined the company in the early 90s and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects family traditions, he is completely focused on the future.

From Bichot...

It was not the presence of flies ("mouches") but of bees and beehives in this area located south of Beaune, overlooking Pommard, that gave the vineyard its name. "Clos des Mouches" is one of Burgundy's gems and is certainly in the same league as a Grand Cru. Indeed, its location on the slope gives this wine a great deal of precision and purity.

The notes of white flowers, honey and beeswax are telling signs of a high-caliber wine. The palate is racy and chiselled with incomparable length.

The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. They settled in Burgundy in 1350, in their fief of Ch?teauneuf-en-Auxois. The family's coat of arms has not changed since nor has its symbol, a doe (biche).

Alb?ric Bichot joined the company in the early 90s and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects family traditions, he is completely focused on the future.

Fixin (pronounced "Fissin") is located in the C?te de Nuits between Dijon and Gevrey-Chambertin.

The "Manoir de la Perri?re" was built in the 12th century by the Monks of C?teaux, who were the first to detect the potential of this 5-hectare (12 acres) clos. There is no Grand Cru in Fixin, yet, thanks to its exceptional climate and its ideal exposure, it has already been compared to its neighbour, the Chambertin! Indeed, it has a south-east exposure, at an altitude of 350 to 380 meters, and its calcareous soil is homogeneous.

Tasting notes from the producer...

The nose features notes of black cherry and wild strawberries. Ample and very fine, it offers silky tannins. Its mineral hints remind the characteristics of the soil it comes from.
The natural maturity of the fruit is balanced by the freshness of this terroir of altitude. On the palate, the aromas are complex, with fruit, liquorice and juniper berry.

The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. They settled in Burgundy in 1350, in their fief of Ch?teauneuf-en-Auxois. The family's coat of arms has not changed since nor has its symbol, a doe (biche).

Alb?ric Bichot joined the company in the early 90s and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects family traditions, he is completely focused on the future.

A famous C?te de Nuits appellation, as much for its size as for its famous wines, Gevrey-Chambertin is known for its wide diversity of terroirs. No white wines are produced here; only Pinot Noir grapes are grown. The vineyards face east and southeast. "La Justice" is a very old vineyard that is located in the middle and the best part of the alluvial fan, which combines all of the geological matter that has been moved down through the valley over the millennia. "La Justice" owes its name to the fact that these vineyards belonged to the Lord of Gevrey, the Abbot of Cluny, who had all of the power in this part of the land that had been given to him. Here, "justice" means "jurisdiction" from the Latin JURISDICTIO, or "the right to administer justice", and by extension, power, authority, control.

Tasting notes...

Aromas of red fruit on the nose (black cherry, blackberry). Subtle hints of oak are complemented by notes of liquorice. Over time, notes of spices, forest undergrowth, even musky notes will develop. This wine is silky, structured, tannic and well-balanced on the palate. The finish features all the fruitiness of the first nose.

The first traces of the Bichot family date back to 1214. They settled in Burgundy in 1350, in their fief of Ch?teauneuf-en-Auxois. The family's coat of arms has not changed since nor has its symbol, a doe (biche).

Alb?ric Bichot joined the company in the early 90s and took over its management in 1996. Though he fully respects family traditions, he is completely focused on the future.

Contrary to its name, ?Les Santenots? is not located in the village of Volnay, but in Meursault, just to the south. Though best known for its white wines, certain terroirs, such as Les Santenots, happen to be better adapted to bringing out all the finesse the Pinot Noir grape has to offer. Several hypotheses exist concerning the name of this locality: "Santenots" may come from the Latin SENTES "brambles, thorny bushes". It may also be derived, as was the name of the village of Santenay, from the Gaulish SENTU "way" (alluding to the roads that passed through there to link Auxey-Duresses with the Roman road). It could also refer to 2 ?ouvr?es? (=1/12 hectare) of vines in La Sautenot (that could have been located in the Les Santenots area), that the Abbess of the Tart Abbey gave to the Abbey of C?teaux in 1218.

Tasting notes...

The nose of this Volnay Premier Cru ?Les Santenots? is delicately smoky and oaky with spicy notes. Appealing fruitiness (cherry), enhanced by mild spices such as cinnamon. This charming wine boasts beautiful structure and remarkable full-bodiedness.