France

Andre Kientzler produces wines of outstanding finesse and purity of fruit. The domaine's production is very small with grapes coming from 11 hectares of family-owned vineyards spread around the picturesque village of Ribeauville.

At this domaine it is very much quality over quantity with the 100-year-old Gamay vines producing precious little fruit. However, the fruit that is produced is dense, concentrated and intense with all these characteristics following through into the wine.

This 12.5-hectare estate was set up way back in 1951 and the wines produced here are textbook Beaujolais but with additional structure. Benoît Trichard, his wife and their two sons make up the family team based in Odenas. For the Trichard family, respect for the environment is crucial and they put every effort into their vineyards with a very 'hands on' approach. The care and attention to detail here really shines through in the resultant wine.

Domaine de Gry-Sablon is situated in Emeringes, a village made up of slopes that face the southern sun. Dominique Morel owns 16 hectares and only vinifies his own grapes. Apart from Morgon, he also produces Fleurie, Juliénas, Régnié, St Amour as well as three colours of Beaujolais-Villages. The domaine was created in the early 1900s when Mr Cinquin - great-grand-father of Mr Albert Morel - arrived in Emeringes. In 1991 Dominique Morel, an oenologist, joined his father.

The wine from Jean Foillard is exceptional; it has a wonderful purity and freshness along with expression and personality not often found with the Gamay grape variety. The fruit is sourced from 60 year old vines, yields are kept to an absolute minimum and the wine is bottled unsulphered, unfiltered and unfined to maximize the intensity and complexity. A fragrant nose of wild strawberries, candied cherries and earthy undertones lead you into the silky and sumptuous palate of this extraordinary and compelling Beaujolais.

The wine of Château Petrus is utterly distinctive and has very little in common with those of the surrounding properties. It has a near- chewy, unctuous quality of richness and power, and an exceptional depth of colour, with wonderful definition of flavour and bouquet.

Pontet-Canet has always been a legendary Médoc. It is deep ruby-red, crimson, and sometimes almost black colour and has a characteristic bouquet of black fruit (especially blackcurrant), liquorice, and prune as well as fig, cedar, and sometimes cocoa overtones. Pontet-Canet combines power and elegance, as well as concentration and fullness on the palate. Rather sinewy in style, Pontet-Canet is clearly a classical wine with a tannic structure that provides excellent ageing potential. The chateau team is conscious of the fact that they are following in the footsteps of more than three centuries of tradition, with each period contributing its technical innovations in the interest of quality and in order faithfully to reflect the terroir.

Chateau Lynch-Bages is in the Pauillac appellation and is one of the best known Médoc estates. The estate was founded when Thomas Lynch, an Irishman, inherited it in 1749. This was passed through the family until 1824, when a Swiss wine merchant, Sébastien Jurine bought it. For over a hundred years the estate was owned by the Jurine's and then the Cayrou family. In 1938 Jean-Charles Cazes bought it and it has remained in the family ever since, now being run by his grandson Jean-Michel Cazes. Chateau Lynch Bages has Fifth Growth status and the vineyards cover 90 hectares, overlooking the Gironde estuary.

Chateau Montrose is a Second Growth winery in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. Life as a vineyard only began at Montrose in the 19th Century when in 1815 Etienne Thèodore Dumoulin built a vineyard. By 1820 he had expanded it and also built a small chateau. Dumoulin continued to expand it up until his death in 1861, when it covered 50 hectares. Soon after the estate was sold to the Dolfus family, who invested a great deal of time and money into the state before it changed hands to the Hostein family and then the Charmolüe’s at the end of the 19th Century. Under the latter, the estate survived vineyard disease, economic depression and war and was subsequently revived with a round of renovations.

Calon-Ségur was once part of the great Ségur estate, although this was in the 18th Century when Calon had already been in existence for at least five hundred years. The Chateau Calon-Ségur bottle has a trademark heart on it, due to a previous owner, Marquis de Segur's statement, "my heart belongs to Calon". Following Marquis' death, Calon-Ségur was sold into the Demoulin family who then discarded it to the Lestapis family who managed to achieve a very respectable Third Growth in the 1855 Classification. For the last hundred years the estate has been owned by the Gasqueton family, who have revitalised Calon-Ségur, and the current owner Madame Capbern-Gasqueton has set about running the vineyard with gusto, hitting form with recent vintages.

Chateau Léoville-Poyferré is a Second Growth winery, which is located in the Saint Julien appellation. The estate used to belong to a much larger estate named Léoville; however this was split up during the French Revolution. From this Chateau Léoville-Las Cases and Chateau Léoville-Barton were formed and in 1840 the former was split up again, a portion of which became Chateau Léoville-Poyferré. The Cuvelier family have owned and run the estate since 1921; however the quality had lagged behind the other Léoville estates until the 1970's. Then Didier Cuvelier took the reins, and under the guidance of Guru Michel Rolland since 1995, he has turned the winery around.

Chateau Malescot St Exupéry is a Third Growth winery, which is situated in the Margaux appellation. The origins of the Chateau lie in the 18th Century, when the owner at the time, Simon Malescot Esquire, built a Chartreuse-style mansion. In 1827 Count Jean-Baptiste Saint-Exupéry bought the estate and added his name to it. In the second half of the 19th Century the Fourcade and Boissac families built an impressive Chateau and cellars to match the impressive wine. The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century marked difficult times from Malescot as it suffered from phylloxera and mildew as well as world wars. However, three successive generations of the Zuger family have helped to restore the estate to its previous greatness from 1955.

Chateau Mouton-Rothschild is located in the village of Pauillac in the Médoc 50 km north-west of Bordeaux. Its red wine also named Chateau Mouton-Rothschild is regarded as one of the worlds greatest clarets. Chateau Mouton-Rothschild was first acquired by the Rothschild family in 1853 when it was bought by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild who gave it its name. However the first family member who really took any significant interest in the estate was Baron Philippe who from the age of 20 in 1922 set out to make Mouton-Rothschild wine the best. In 1924 he introduced revolutionary new measures such as 'entire chateau bottling' and in 1926 built a magnificent 100 metre barrel hall.

Chateau Lagrange lies in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation and is a classified Third Growth winery. The origins of the estate date back to the Middle Ages, as it was then known as the Noble House of Lagrange Monteil. During the 18th and 19th Centuries, the estate was growing at a rate of knots, producing 300 tons of wine in 1842 and was awarded the Third Growth in 1855. After these highs, in the early 20th Century Chateau Lagrange slumped into a long period of mediocrity due to crop failures producing poor quality wine.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a second Growth in the Pauillac appellation. The estate, which is commonly referred to as just Chateau Pichon-Lalande, used to be a part of the larger Pichon estate, owned by Pierre de Rauzan. The larger Pichon estate gained its name when Pierre's daughter Thérèse married Jacques de Pichon Longueville in the 17th Century. Pichon-Lalande was later separated from Pichon Baron in 1850 due to inheritance, with the name Lalande being gained again through another marriage.

In terms of variety at the vineyard, around two thirds of the red vines are the Cabernet Sauvignon variety, bringing tannic structure and power, a particularly popular choice in Saint Julien. The remaining Merlot variety is rounder, and thus more receptive to maturity and bringing mellowness to the blending. A hugely impressive team including estate manager are behind the harvesting and vinification processes who all work with such precision as to preserve the terroir's most intense expression.

Classified a second growth in 1855, Chateau Doisy-Daëne has belonged to the Dubourdieu family since 1924 and three generations have poured their passion and endeavour into it. Georges purchased the property and saw a succession of legendary vintages grow its reputation up to 1945. Doisy-Daëne was modernised and expanded under the guidance of Pierre, who consistently created great wines for over fifty years. The vintage of 2000 saw the beginning of a new era led by Denis, a consultant oenologist and professor at Bordeaux’s faculty of Oenology

The Chateau Griviere is a family owned domain located in the northern part of the Medoc near the town of Blaignan, just above St Estephe. The current owner has made huge investments since buying this estate from the Rothschild family (on the Lafite side) in 1990. Unusually for MÈdoc, the Merlot grape dominates with 55% of the blend and the 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc give silky texture to the wine.

The extensive, 70-hectare vineyard of this 4eme cru classe estate spreads over five villages of the Margaux appellation. In June 1999, it was bought by the Balland group, and it has seen great benefits thanks to the hard work of the new owners ever since.

Chateau Clerc Milon's name is partly taken from the town Milon and partly from a former owner in the 19th Century, Jean-Baptiste Clark. The Chateau was first acquired by the family when her father, Baron Phillipe bought the rather run down estate in 1970 and is now owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and her children.

Chateau de Fargues is an enormous 170-hectare estate, but vines are only to be found planted on the magnificent clay-gravel rise close to the ancient chateau - a mere 15 hectares. Chateau de Fargues has been owned by the Lur Saluces family for over five centuries- long enough for them to have turned the making of great botrytis wine into a fine art.

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion's vineyard straddles the communes of Talence and Pessac, and is located only a few miles southwest of Bordeaux's city centre. Belonging to the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the property is situated just opposite that of Chateau Haut-Brion and shares the same gravelly, elevated terrain ideal for cultivating vines.

This 15-hectare property is planted on clay, limestone and gravel soils with 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon ripens very well on this particular site assisting the complexity, elegance and great structure of the wine.

Bought in the 1920s, and situated on some of the best soils of Pomerol, this has been the jewel in the Rolland family crown since 1978. Nestled between the vineyards of Gazin, L`Evangile, and Cheval-Blanc, the seven hectares of Le Bon Pasteur lie on the border of St. Emilion, in the north-east of the appellation. Its old vines consist of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and yields are intentionally low to ensure an emphasis of quality over quantity.

The 40 year old vines are on a slope with a southerly aspect, looking down on the river Isle - a tributary of the Dordogne - and the town of Libourne. The wine, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 12 - 15 months in 60% new French oak barrels, and is a serious and complex wine. Open, rich and opulent, it has very ripe, concentrated black fruit and coffee on the palate and fine tanins on the long, silky finish.

Situated on the border between Saint-Emilion and Pomerol the property is 3.5 hectares of clay and gravel in the area known as Corbin and originally bought by Michel Rolland's grandparents in the 1920s. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, it is bursting with plummy fruit wrapped up in ripe, rounded tannins and low acidity. Clean ruby red in colour, it appears very restrained on the nose initially with dark berry fruits supported by a little tar and spice. A wine of great charm and finesse which should grace only the best tables.

Chateau Bertineau Saint Vincent is a wine with the true character of the Lalande de Pomerol appellation, which comes from a good terroir. Aged in one-year old barrels, the younger brother of the Pomerol, this is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, is pure, floral, generous and full-bodied. Blackcurrant and blackberry fruit flavours lead to a long smooth finish with hints of oak spice and chocolate. The wines tend to show at their best with at least 5 years of bottle age.

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou has been owned by five families, including the Bergeron family, the Ducru's, the Johnston's, the Desbarat's and finally the Borie family who run it today. Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from the large beautiful stones that can be found on the estate.

Vinegrowers since 1610 in St Emilion, the Meslin family invests all its skills in the expression of this beautiful terroir. A Grand Cru Classé of Saint Emilion, the 70-acre vineyards of Chateau Laroze lie right at the foothill of the medieval village of St Emilion.

Chateau Grand Bert, owned by the Lavigne-Poitevin family for six generations with Sophie and Laurent being current custodians, is situated south of the village of St Sulpice de Faleyrens.

The history of Domain de Chevalier can be traced back as far as 1763, when it was marked on a map drawn by the engineer Pierre de Belleyme. Situated in Léoville, the estate has been managed by Olivier Bernard since 1983, whose quest for balance and perfection continues to push the its stellar standards ever higher.

Another string in the mighty Michel Rolland bow, the grapes in this unique little vineyard of 1ha are the fruit of traditional white Bordeaux grape varieties planted in 1992 on a beautiful terroir in the commune of Lussac which only produced red wines in the Lussac-Saint Emilion appellation.

You will often find Julien Bonneau from this family run estate at our tastings, keen to show of these delicious soft and fruity wines. Bordering the Gironde Estuary on its right bank, the 58-hectare vineyard is planted with 36 hectares of red grapes and 22 hectares of white grapes.

Chateau Giscours is a classified Third Growth and is located in the commune of Labarde in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux . Winemaking at the estate goes back to the 16th Century, when it belonged to the Saint-Simon family, although during the French Revolution it was confiscated and later bought by American owners in 1793.

Grapes are thought to have been first grown on the property of Chateau Haut Brion in Roman times; although the earliest documentation indicating wine was being grown there is in 1423. The estate of Chateau Haut Brion dates back to 1525 and the construction of the Chateau began in 1549.

Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron is a Second Growth winery in the Pauillac appellation. Chateau Pichon-Baron, as it is commonly known, used to belong to a larger estate that also included Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, which was owned by Pierre de Rauzan. The estate was separated from its brother estate in 1850. The current owner is the French group AXA (insurance company), who have owned it since 1987. The owner of Chateau Lynch-Bages, Jean-Michel Cazes oversaw the winemaking until Christian Seely took over the reins of general manager in 2000.

The estate of Grand Puy's name was changed in the mid-19th century through marriage to a certain Francois Lacoste. The estate however steadily declined after being sold on from 1932 and did not look like recovering, reaching a low point of 25 hectares in the 1960's. Nonetheless the estate survived following the sale to the Borie family of Ducru-Beaucaillou in 1978.

Chateau Margaux is a First Growth winery, which is located in the Margaux commune, on the left bank of the Garonne estuary. In the 12th Century, the estate was known as "La Mothe de Margaux" and a fortified castle lay on the small rise of land. In the 16th Century, wine growing took on particular importance under Pierre de Lestonnac.

Chateau Langoa-Barton is a Third Growth Bordeaux winery in the Saint-Julien appellation. It was purchased by Irishman Hugh Barton in 1821 the family have managed to preserve their inheritance for almost 2 centuries as the current owner is Anthony Barton, who took over in 1983. It lies on the bank of the Gironde River and the estate's vineyard covers 20 hectares.

Dating back to the early 17th century, this Chateau is classified only as a Cru Bourgeois. Despite this, it consistently produces wines that match or even overshadow those produced by many of its supposedly more prestigious neighbours.

The first traces of wine production at Chateau Cantemerle were found in 1354, as the Lord of Cantemerle paid off his debts with a casket of clairet. During the Middle Ages and up until the sixteenth century, the Médoc was more devoted to cereal-growing than to wine production. The estate moved from the de la Roque family into the Villeneuve's hands and later the Durfort's. In 1892 the estate moved into the Dubos family, whose descendents managed it all the way up until 1981, initially producing good quality wines, however these declined in later years, mainly due to less than adequate investment.

Chateau Le Pey, owned by the Compagnet family, has built their reputation over the last 4 decades on the sheer quality of their wines, as well as the great value for money they provide. They own two estates in the Médoc separated only by a road but with very different soils types and wine styles.

Olivier Compagnet, winemaker of Chateau Le Pey, and his brother-in-law Pascal Coyault own this tiny 4.5-hectare de St Clair, Médoc property. Olivier brings his expertise to maximise the potential of his vineyards.

Chateau Clinet is located in the Pomerol appellation around 40 kilometres from Bordeaux and its terroir lies on the Gunz gravel terraces, that are renowned for producing the best merlot in the world.

Chateau Kirwan is a Third Growth winery in the Margaux appellation that is located in the Cantenac commune. The estate gained its current name in the 18th Century when the daughter of the owner married an Irishman Mark Kirwan, who was later guillotined in 1792. Schröder and Schÿler have owned Kirwan, including the beautiful 18th century Chateau, since 1925.

Chateau La Tour Blanche is located at the heart of the Sauternes appellation in the Bommes commune, in the Graves region. The Chateau of this First Growth winery was constructed in the 18th Century. At the beginning of the 20th Century the estate truly took on its original form. The former owner Daniel Iffla who was nicknamed ‘Osiris’ left the property to the French State under the condition that they would create a Wine School there. Thus in 1911 the La Tour Blanche School of Viticulture and Oenology was commissioned and still teaches budding professionals and runs the estate today.

Chateau Léoville-Las-Cases was classified as Second Growth in 1855 and is located in the Saint-Julien appellation. The estate used to belong to a considerably larger estate, however at various points in its history. segments of land were carved off.

For many years now, Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste has defied its relatively meagre classification as a 5ème Cru Classé to consistently outperform its peers and indeed many of its supposed it superiors. This estate sits a few kilometres to the west of the town of Pauillac, and is owned and run by François-Xavier Borie.

Chauvenet Chopin owned by the Duffau family have been in the area since 18th. Situated in Génissac, just over the river from Saint-Emilion, the vineyard is on clay-chalk soil and planted predominantly with Merlot. The wine exihibits lovely texture and is well-balanced with impressive length.

The quality of Château Lafite Rothschild needs no introduction. As early as 1815, Abraham Lawton had already designated it as leader: “I ranked it as being the most elegant and delicate, with the finest body of the three (leading wines)” he qualified in 1855. As to Château Lafite's attributes found in all vintages, it was an enlightened amateur that summed it up best by saying “...whatever the case, all the Château Lafite wines have an almond and violet aroma!”

The history of Langoa and Léoville Barton is the story of a family who have managed to preserve their inheritance for more than 2 centuries. From one generation to another the wines produced have maintained the quality of their classification, offering wines at the very top of their appellation.

Chateau Gruaud-Larose is classified as a Second Growth and is located in the Saint-Julien appellation of the Bordeaux region. The origins of the estate go back to 1725, when it was owned by a knight, Joseph Stanislas Gruaud. When the property was passed on to Sébastian de La Rose, he renamed it Gruaud-La Rose or Gruaud-Larose. The property remained intact despite control being split among various descendents until it was divided into two in 1867. Fortunately, the two were reunited by the Cordier family in 1935. From 1983, several different owners controlled the estate until the current owner the Taillan Group under Jacques Merlaut bought it in 1997.

Chateau Haut-Brion was laid out in 1533 by Jean de Pontac, which makes it the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux. The vineyard is located in the commune of Pessac, just a few miles southwest of Bordeaux’s city centre. It belongs to the Pessac-Léognan appellation, to the north of the Graves wine-growing region.

The vineyards of Haut-Batailley are stretched out to the east of the main road that runs southwest out of Pauillac, actually facing the vineyards of Batailley itself. Also included are those around Chateau Couronne, a little chateau which François Borie acquired in 1932.

Chateau Latour is a First Growth winery that is located in the Pauillac commune in the Médoc region. The name comes from the fortress tower that used to stand there. Although that tower was destroyed by the French Army, a new circular one was built using the original edifice. Its origins date back to at least the 14th century, although the vineyards were not properly established until the 17th century. The estate was once under English ownership, those owners being the Pearson Group, owners of the Financial Times, and Harvey's of Bristol. Latour was bought by François Pinault in 1993, a French billionaire, who later owned Yves St. Laurent, Gucci and Christie's Auction House. Pinault has delegated the day to day running of the estate to President Frédéric Engerer, under whom a recent investment project has undisputedly seen Latour reach the pinnacle of Bordeaux wine. Chateau Latour has a vineyard which extends for 78 hectares, including a special 47 hectare section named l'Enclos, which is exclusively for the "Grand Vin". The vines are made up of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Chateau Pavie is a Bordeaux winery located in the Saint Emilion appellation. The ancient Pavie vineyard dates back to at least the 4th Century AD however winemaking only properly started to progress in the 19th Century. The estate used to contain several different holdings until in 1885 Ferdinand Bouffard bought one and expanded it to make a single 50 hectare block of vineyards, which he named "Pavie". After the First World War, Bouffard sold the estate to Albert Porte, who later sold it in 1943 to the Valette family. They oversaw great improvements in the quality of the wine and following Gerard Perse's ownership from 1998, Michel Rolland has been hired as a consultant, and with new equipment and techniques Chateau Pavie wine has become much more concentrated and as a result internationally renowned. The vineyards currently number just under 37 hectares and consist of 60% Merlot grapes, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chateau Lafon-Rochet is a Fourth Growth Bordeaux winery in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The Chateau has been owned by the Tesseron family since the 1959, who have a successful background in the cognac trade. They completely replanted the neglected vineyard as well as expanding it and rebuilt the Chateau in the 'chartreuse' style, which is the first Médoc chateau to be rebuilt in the 20th century. Now Albert and Michel Tesseron run the estate, as they try to continue to embbody the generations of tradition that are behind this excellent wine. The 41 hectare vineyards are planted on soils with a clay-gravel composition and are made up of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. Lafon-Rochet used to have a reputation of producing excessively tough and tannic wines, however with the increased use of Merlot in recent years the blend has been softened.

Chateau Monbousquet is located in the Saint Emilion appellation, in the Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens commune. Monbousquet has its origins in the 16th Century, although winemaking began there in the 19th Century under Comte de Vassal-Montviel, who increased the estate to 40 hectares and planted vines on a large scale. Although some renovations and restorations were made by the Querre family after 1945 when the estate was in huge disrepair, the real upturn came in 1993. Parisian supermarket tycoon Gérard Perse bought Monbousquet and subsequently implemented a series of changes. He hired Michel Rolland as a consultant, restricted the yields and renovated the facilities to put Monbousquet's wines well and truly on the map as they are now amongst the finest in the Saint-Emilion appellation. The vineyard covers 32 hectares, of which the grapes are 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate also produces a white wine, Chateau Monbousquet Bordeaux Blanc and it dedicates 1 hectare of 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sauvignon gris, 5% Muscadelle and 5% Sémillon grapes. An average of 450 cases of the white wine is produced each year compared to 8,300 cases of the 'Grand Vin' Monbousquet.

A grand cru is a matter of origin in time as in space. The Château Palmer style is embedded in history and dedicated to the expression of its terroir. It is a style beyond fashion and trends. To experience its timelessness, there is no better way than to taste it – repeatedly!

In 1997, Comtesse de Lalande of Château Pichon Longueville acquired Château Bernadotte, which borders the Pauillac appellation to the west, close to a number of classified growths. The vineyard today is spread over 35 hectares grouped together around the Château. The soils in the main are gravelly/sandy and naturally well drained with an important degree of clay in depth, permitting resistance to draught and moderate water stress during the maturation period of the grapes.

Records of the Branaire Ducru etate go back to the 17th century and the chateau was classified a fourth growth in 1855. Already back in 1680 when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre acquired the estate, he understood how exceptional this wonderful terroir was, made up mainly of stones, called “graves” in the Medoc, and located so near the wide Gironde estuary. These soils are unique in their mineral quality.

Mme Castaing, the first owner, inherited some of the best plots of land on the crest of Grand Poujeaux. Unfortunately it was too late for the classification of 1855, but in 1932 a new classification brought her wine up to the grade of Grand Cru Exceptionnel with only five other Chateaux.

When the Chateau came on the market in 1982, the great names of the Medoc region fought to buy it. The owners of Chasse-Spleen were to become the proud owners. Their first vintage was a success, in no way hindered by the fact that 1982 was an exceptional year for Medoc wines. Since then, the quality of the work carried out by the wining team has not slackened and the wine they produce is becoming more and more popular with journalists and professionals of the wine world.

Chateau Haut Marbuzet is one of those special places where they consistently defy a relatively meagre classification to produce truly outstanding wines. Though ranked only as Cru Bourgeois, this is an outlandish, voluptuous wine which many of the neighbouring Grand-Crus would be more than proud of.

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion’s long history has been extensively documented. Known by several names over the years, the château has had many owners, all of whom were great Bordeaux wine connoisseurs. There were, however, some ups and downs, but a new team of enthusiastic professionals has done a wonderful job of giving Château Larrivet Haut-Brion back its superb reputation, and the estate is once again universally recognised as one of the finest wines in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.

Château Moulin Saint Georges covers 7 hectares (17 acres) and is located opposite Château Ausone, with which it shares its owner. The soils are clay-limestone, and the grape varieties are Merlot at 80 % and Cabernet Franc at 20%.

Born in 1762 during the reign of Louis XV and died in1853 under Napoleon III, at the remarkable age of 91, Louis Gaspard d'Estournel had one sole passion: Cos. Having inherited a few vines near the village of Cos, he recognized, in 1811, the quality of their wine and decided to vinify them separately. Château Cos d’Estournel has belonged to Michel Reybier since 2000. Mr Reybier’s objective has been to uphold the château’s high standards and constant quest for excellence while at the same time continuing the avant-garde style initiated by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel.

Named for its most famous owner, this estate lies in Pessac, stretching out over a wide plateau, which boasts three types of soil. The taste is meaty, generous, satiny tannins and noble new oak. The red grape vines are 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The Cabernet Sauvignon is mainly planted in the gravelly-sandy areas. It gives the blend the tannic structure that guarantees it will age well in the bottle. Better adapted to more clayish soils, Merlot produces wines that are full, rich and velvety, in which ripe fruit dominates. It should be noted that over 60% of the vines are over 25 years old, and the presence of these old vines lends additional delicacy and elegance.

Since 1985, when the vineyard was purchased from the Delon family, Xavier Gardinier has been happily running Phelan Ségur, aided by his three sons. Enormous restoration work has been carried out to return the property to its former glory, including custom wine-making equipment created to enable the terroir to express itself in all its complexity.

One of the leading Cru Bourgeois estates, Château Potensac is situated between the villages of Ordonnac and Blaignan in the north of Médoc. Potensac is an expansive property with 50 hectares under vine. The vineyards are composed of the classic varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and the terroir is the gravel-clay soil that is so typical of the area. The average age of the vines is around 35 years.

This Cotes de Bourg estate ranks among the very finest of its appellation. Roc de Cambes was bought over in 1988 by the owner of St. Emilion’s Chateau Le Tetre-Rotebouef, Francois Mitjaville. It boasts a superb location close to the Gironde, where the south-facing slopes of a natural amphitheatre nurture 10 hectares under vine.

Dating back to the 12th Century, the estate of La Tour Carnet is without doubt one of the oldest chateaux in the Medoc region. Set in the heart of the Haut-Medoc, Chateau La Tour Carnet has an exceptional, unique terroir.

This château entered the modern age with the Valette family. In 1980 Alexandre’s great grand daughter, Christine, took over the estate and was joined, 10 years later, by her husband, Xavier Pariente. Together they continued to improve and embellish the vineyard, cellar and chateau. This hard work and their efforts proved worthwhile when in 2006 Troplong Mondot was awarded 1er Grand Cru Classé status.

The early origins of Chateau Doisy-Védrines are not well documented although it is known that the three Doisy vineyards of Barsac; DaÎne, Védrines and Dubroca, all stem from one single estate. From the beginning of the 19th Century, the three Doisy vineyards had begun to be recognised as one of the top vineyards in Barsac and after the split Doisy Védrines was classified as a Second Growth in 1855. The Védrines family who had owned the estate for many years eventually sold it to the Boireau family in 1851, and their descendents are still running Doisy Védrines today. The 30 hectare vineyard means that Chateau Doisy Védrines is the largest of the three Doisy estates. The vineyard has a real mixture of soils including limestone, clay and sand over limestone bedrock, while the grapes are 85% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc that altogether create truly vibrant white wines.

Chateau Climens is truly incomparable. Somewhat ironically, ‘Climens’ means ‘unfertile or poor land’ in Celtic. Fortunately for those with the right savoir-faire, the prodigious vine is capable of transforming apparently undesirable soils into the most outstanding wine terroirs. Situated on the highest point of the Barsac appellation, the vines stretch over 30 hectares around the chateau, in one continuous vineyard.

In 1787, former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, then ambassador to France, celebrated Château Coutet as the best Sauternes from Barsac. In 1855, the estate was classified as a First Growth and recognized for its continued excellence. Today, as the oldest and largest Barsac estate, Château Coutet stays true to its tradition of distinction and quality.

During the Middle Ages, this great estate actually belonged to the King of England – these days, it is run by Pierre Lurton, the man behind legendary Chateau Cheval Blanc. At Yquem, a unique set of climatic and geological conditions combine to form a rare equilibrium, which epitomises all that is best about the singular winegrowing environment in Sauternes.

Château Beychevelle, A prestigious Cru Classé whose character has been forged by three centuries of history…Nowhere does the word Château in its noblest sense ring as true as it does at Beychevelle.

Two grand old estates have dominated the Margaux appellation throughout the centuries: Mothe-Margaux and Mothe-Cantenac, known today as Chateau Margaux and Chateau D’Issan. The first documented reference to Chateau d’Issan dates back to the 12th century, and its heritage and renown is such that its motto is Regum Mensis Aris Que Deorum – For The Tables of Kings And The Abode Of The Gods.

The prestigious history of Brane-Cantenac is not linked to a personality or a family but to the estate’s incomparable soil, which has been carefully studied over the years by the top specialists. Recognised throughout the estate’s history as one of the finest in the Médoc, Brane’s terroir long gave the estate its unofficial ranking as ‘first of the seconds’. The heart of the estate is an unbroken block of 45 hectares, which has remained unchanged for three centuries.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the esteemed animal painter of Scottish descent, John Lewis Brown, bought this vineyard. Designed by Brown in a traditional Tudor style, the château was host to the grand parties the owner was renowned for, highlighting his love of good wines. Sold in 1843 to a banker (Gromard), the owner in 1855, when the estate was granted a Grand Cru classification.

Chateau Charmail is located in the heart of the Medoc, 2km from Saint-Estephe and about 60 km north of Brodeaux. The Chateau has the rare privilege of overlooking the church tower in the village and the Gironde estuary, and the grand vin has been described by Robert Parker as "a wine that borders on perfection."

Legend has it that the knights and ‘Frères Hospitaliers’ of Saint John of Jerusalem were the first to cultivate the vine in Pomerol. Viticulture was developed here from the 19th Century onwards and above all during the 20th Century. The vineyard of Petit-Village is situated at the highest level of the gravel plateau which constitutes the heart of Pomerol, as you leave the village of Catusseau.

An exceptional location for high quality wines, located in the heart of the right bank, along the plateau of Pomerol and St. Emilion.

Always supple, seductive, and fruit-driven with ripe sweet cherry, raspberry and redcurrant and hints of oak spice, the wines from Chauvenet-Chopin are food-friendly, and provide good early drinking with richness, ripeness and balance. The new labels brought in from the 2006 vintage are stylish and modern and are a real selling point. With great consistency of style and great continuity, these wines are ideal for any wine list!

Domaine Chandon de Briailles has one of the grandest chateau's in the region, and is surrounded by beautiful gardens as well as the owner Count Aymard-Claude de Nicolay's own private airfield and a huge collection of classic aircraft! The domaine is fully organic and biodynamic and the winmaker concentrates on making very traditional styles of wine, crisp and fresh and reflecting the terroir of each parcel. Soft and generous, the wines drink very well in their youth, gaining further depth and complexity with ageing.

Jacques Gagnard very suddenly and very sadly died in early 2009 after a short illness. We will greatly miss his energy and enthusiasm as he led us through legendarily long tasting sessions, as well as, of course, the passion that he put into his winemaking. He leaves a great legacy behind in his final vintage, the 2008s. The wines are, as expected, of excellent quality - complex, intense and refined. A must buy for all lovers of this great domaine.

Hubert & Olivier Lamy's vineyards are stretched out across the Côte de Beaune, with sites in St-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay. Three quarters of the plantings are of Chardonnay and one quarter Pinot Noir.

This historic château, surrounded by a moat and beautiful gardens, is home to the Germain family, who run it as a hotel as well as making wine from their 17 hectares of adjoining vineyards. Benoît Germain is in charge of the winemaking, and since he took over the vineyards have been managed organically, with great respect both for the environment and the terroir. The village wines are soft, fruity, approachable and great value for money, whilst the 1er Crus are rich, powerful and serious with a tight structure and long ageing potential.

The domaine of Henri Gouges was established in Nuits-St-Georges at the very beginning of the twentieth century. Founded by Henri Gouges, it was subsequently developed by his two sons Michel and Marcel. More recently Pierre and Christian Gouges, Henri's grandsons, have carried on the traditions of the estate with Pierre tending the vines and Christian in charge of the vinification. The domaine is certified organic from the 2008 vintage.

Robert Chevillon has about 13 hectares of vineyards in Nuits-St-Georges, with some magnificent old plots still in production - some of the vines are up to 80 years old. The wines are certainly is the top tier of quality in Nuits-St-Georges.

The legendary Joseph Roty sadly died in 2008, leaving a great legacy behind him. His eldest son Philippe, who had been working with his father for many years, is now in charge of the winemaking, whilst Joseph's younger son Pierre-Jean tends the vines and his daughter runs the office. The wines of 2007, Joseph's last vintage, and fine, ripe and expressive, with great structure and length. They will not disappoint lovers of this cult domaine.

As well as making wine for the family domaine of Joseph Roty, Philippe has been running his own domaine for many years, buying or renting small parcels in and around Gevrey-Chambertin and Marsannay. Indeed, his Côte de Nuits Villages vineyard is actually his back garden, meaning they are amongst his most tended vines! The wines here are in every way comparable to the family domaine, ripe, concentrated and complex.

Every since the domaine was founded by Julien Damoy in the early 20th century, it has produced top-quality wines that are highly expressive of each vineyard's unique terroir. The domaine is now made up of 11 hectares, with nearly eight hectares of Grand Cru vineyards, one of the largest holdings of any domaine, but the jewel in its crown is the 20 acres of Clos de Beze, much of it planted back in 1920.

Eugénie estate was born following the acquisition of René Engel estate by François Pinault of Château Latour during the summer 2006. The estate – named after his grandmother - is situated in Vosne-Romanée, in the heart of La Côte de Nuits between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey Chambertin. This village is considered to be the treasure of big wines of Burgundy.

Paul Pillot, born into a family of winegrowers, is the 3rd generation to foster the family passion, and he has clearly passed this onto the 4th generation, as his son Thierry and daughter Chrystell have both joined the family domaine.

Patrick Javillier's wines are typified by their rich flavours of tropical and citrus fruit with creamy and nutty oak. The Bourgogne Cuvées Oligocene and Forgets are some of the most serious Bourgognes you can find, and really are great value for money. All of the wines provide excellent early drinking, but can easily age for 5 - 10 years.

Francois and his son Antoine make very small quanities of outstanding Meursault in their small cellar under the family house. Minerality and purity are the key adjectives here, and the wines are refined, taut and complex. The domaine uses very little new oak and concentrates on allowing each vintage to express its own individuality, with very little manipulation in the cellars. The wines show at their best with a few years of bottle ageing, though the 2008s have enough richness for drinking a little younger than is usual for this domaine.

Louis Carillon, always one of the highlights of the Burgundy buying trips, is amongst the top producers in Puligny Montrachet. The wines are pure, elegant and refined, with a focus fully expressing the differing terroir of each vineyard. The 2008s are typified by their ripeness, minerality and crisp acidity. Only a handful of cases are left over from our En Primeur campaign, so snap them up while you can!

The 24 hectare domaine of Tollot-Beaut sits modestly in the centre of Chorey-lès-Beaune. Nathalie Tollot is the most welcoming of hosts, and is always happy to show visitors round and taste the wines with them. There are also many other Tollots to be seen in the wineries and the vineyards; uncle Jack, father Alain and Nathalie's cousins Jean-Paul and Olivier.

Jacqueline Mugneret took over the domaine in 1988 after the death of her husband, Georges. Together with her daughters Marie-Christine and Marie-Andrée, Jacqueline has continued the great tradition of the Mugneret family, making wines of great elegance and finesse. The primary ambition of the domaine is to demonstrate the greatest respect possible for their Pinot Noir, preserving the delicacy, fruit and freshness of the grapes, and allowing the most complete expression of each terroir. The complex and delicate wines reflect this alluring philosophy.

Sylvie Esmonin is an energetic and passionate winemaker, and an avid traditionalist. The domaine is fully organic but not certified, since she started following this route long before it became fashionable and sees no reason why she should now have to submit to inspections when she was doing it long before they were.

The recipe at the 20ha Billaud Simon camp is a combination of great vineyard sites, the latest winemaking technology and 95 years of family know-how crafting some of the regions finest wines. It is a family orientated business with Samuel Billaud Simon making the wine and his uncle Bernard taking care of the administration.

The wines from this estate have world-wide recognition which is unsurprising considering they fashion some of the finest and longest lived white wines in the whole of Burgundy. They benefit from judicious oak ageing which adds to the structure and complexity to the wine.

Francine and Olivier Savary are at the helm of this estate which was established back in 1984. A simple range, produced from old vines in good vineyard sites ensures quality wines are crafted year on year. The wines here are typical Chablis with the primary fruit characters of cruchy green apple and tart citrus fruit combining with the background hints of sea air, chalk dust and minerality. These are classic Chablis' which would compliment any wine list.

Laurent Tribut lives in the small village of Poinchy with his wife and daughter and makes tiny quantities of very fine Chablis on his 5.2-hectare estate, which encompasses three 1er crus; Beauroy, Côte de Lechet and Montmains.

Domaine Michel Juillot is one of the leading estates in the Côte Chalonnaise village of Mercurey. The domaine's 30 hectares of vines are spread over the best sites in Mercurey, as well as vineyards in the Côte de Beaune. Laurent Juillot is the fourth generation to run the domaine, and he has obviously inherited his father Michel's attention to detail and focus on quality. The domaine produces a varied range of wines, from village Bourgogne up to the Grand Crus of Corton Perrières and Corton Charlemagne, but Laurent puts just as much effort into the vineyard management and winemaking of his entry level wines as he does his Grand Crus, and this is reflected in the quality across all price levels.

Nestled high above the village of Fuissé, Domaine Cordier is one of the top estates in Maconnais. His ever expanding range is testament to his ongoing mission to acquire new vineyards. The wines are made very much in the Côtes de Beaune mould, with barrel aging being the norm. They have brilliant delineation, terroir and extraordinary richness. Some would say that his Vers Cras cuveé is the finest wine being produced in the Pouilly Fuissé appellation.

The Forest estate is based in the village of Vergisson, the highest of the five villages in the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation. The microclimate here is marginally cooler and the soil is less chalky than most of Pouilly-Fuissé which gives an individual style to the wines produced. The wine is barrel fermented and then matured in oak casks for 10 months. Forest is considered the best grower in Vergisson but also competes with the very best in the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation.

Catherine and Didier Tripoz took over this flagging domaine in the 1990s and have worked hard to restore it to glory. The 10 hectares of vineyard are situated to the south of the Maconnais region, close to the great vineyards of Pouilly-Fuissé. The Clos des Tournons is made from the grapes of a single walled vineyard and is one of their best sites. The wine is fruit driven with apple and citrus flavours and a long elegant finish. It seees no oak ageing, and is crisp and refreshing.

St-Véran is steeped in history and would compete for being one of the prettiest villages in France. The wine from Michel Chavet represents terrific value for money and would sit perfectly at the head of any Burgundy list. The wine is given a long period of cool fermentation in large stainless steel tanks to ensure it retains its acidity, freshness and expression of fruit without masking the wines true personality.

For the last 130 years, Maison Joseph Drouhin has been in the hands of the Drouhin family. Today, the fourth generation is at the helm, animated by the same passion that inspired the founder of the company. Joseph Drouhin has adopted the biological and biodynamic approach. Only natural products are used in the vineyards and all procedures show the utmost respect for the soil, the vine and the environment.

Located on 1,000 hectares of the finest and most varied terroir, Moet & Chandon has the largest and most prestigious estate in Champagne, managing 200 of the 323 crus found in this region. Such a wealth of resources provides Moet & Chandon unparalled access to the most superior grapes, of which 50% are grand crus and 25% premier crus.

Founder Johann-Josep Krug left an established champagne house to set up his own. Five generations on, the Krug family remains an important part of the brand. They still ferment all of their wine in small oak casks, allowing them to develop supremely rich and complex aromas, and the Krug Grand Cuvee is an icon of the wine industry.

Ruinart is the oldest champagne house, having been founded in 1729 by Nicolas Ruinart. He was inspired by his visionary uncle Dom Thierry Ruinart and father Nicolas, building up this champagne venture until in 1735 it became his sole business. Throughout the house's history Ruinart has placed excellence in the utmost importance and in doing so has upheld the dreams of Dom Thierry and to commemorate Dom Thierry's the flagship wine was named after him in 1959.

Taittinger is one of the greatest names in Champagne. Located in the great regions of wine-growing Champagne, the Champagne Taittinger vines cover 288 hectares evenly distributed over 34 different vineyards, which include some of the appellations finest.

Established in 1849, Champagne Pol Roger remains family-owned and proudly independent to this day. The history and spirit of the company mirrors that of the family who bear the same name: a respect for nature, a devotion to quality and a certain joie de vivre.

The prestigious house of Bollinger was founded in 1929 and is one of the last remaining independent Champagne houses. It has been family managed since 1889 and is currently run by Ghislain de Mongolfier, who is a great-grandson of the founder, Jacques Bollinger. Bollinger champagne is renowned worldwide and has even been used in James Bond films, 'Die another Day' and 'Casino Royale'.

Established in the 17th Century, the house of René Geoffroy is now run by the irrepressible Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy. Patience and attention to detail underlie the quality of the wines made here, with a focus on purity of fruit and great expression of terroir. The grapes are pressed in a traditional wooden press and the juice from each plot of vines is vinified separately, thus the specific terroirs of each plot can be fully exploited. The use of oak barrels, which let the wine live, brings out aromas that are both subtle and complex. Constantly motivated by the desire to preserve the best of what Nature offers us, Jean-Baptiste, like all his forebears, avoids malolactic fermentation, so that the champagne keeps all its original freshness.

Louis Roederer seeks artistic perfection in its vineyards, through the seasons leading to the harvest and into the cellars. Champagne grapes owe their qualities of extreme finesse and freshness to a combination of highly specific factors: poor soil clinging to deep chalk bedrock, slow maturation, exposed hillsides and the cold, northern hemisphere climate, offering little sun outside the summer months.

For more than 100 years the Pierre Moncuit family has been making champagnes of great quality in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the CÙte des Blancs. Right from the beginning, Pierre Moncuit recognised the inherent quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile Moncuit-Delos, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes, selling them directly to market. Nicole and Yves Moncuit continue this fine tradition today, making complex and delicate wines from their 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards.

Founded in 1812, Laurent-Perrier is recognised - throughout the world - as one of the finest of Champagne Houses. The wines are unique not only because of the philosophy that has inspired them, but also for their style, flavour and consistent quality, from one cuvee to the next.

Billecart-Salmon is a relatively small, family-run establishment. Though it isn't as widely known as some of its famous competitors, it is treasured by cognoscenti as a producer of some of the world's very finest champagnes. The entry point to its range is the outstanding non-vintage.

Champagne is a wine of legend. The entire history of the Veuve Clicquot House is marked by mythical wines, all of which respect the demand for quality that was the force that drove Madame Clicquot. True to this heritage, the House is proud of its motto: 'Only one quality, the finest'. A short lineage of just 10 Cellar Masters has led this quest for quality, thereby ensuring the continuity of the Veuve Clicquot style: strength and complexity.

Founded in 1899 by Jules Médot, the House remained in the founder's family for 5 generations. Today Médot expresses its originality and its typicity within the Lombard family group, who also have a long history in Champagne.

Incredibly, Raymond Amiel won the deeds to this property in 1816 from the Bishop of Perignan in a game of cards! At that time, the estate consisted of only 10 hectares, all of which was destroyed by phylloxera in 1865, and later replanted with American rootstocks. After financial difficulties in 1907, Mas Amiel was sold to Charles Dupuy who, together with his son Jean did much to improve quality of the wines produced here. The next generation continued their good work, but after the death of Charles' grandson in 1997, the estate passed into the hands of Olivier Decelle, who now owns and runs this 170 hectare estate. Mas Amiel is now the leading producer of Vins Doux Naturels in the area.

This Domaine is located high above Roquetaillade in the Haut Vallée de l'Aude. The vineyards are relatively high in altitude, at 200 to 400 metres above sea level and is one of the best settings in the Languedoc for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Run by Jean-Louis Denois a sixth generation wine producer from Champagne, the domaine has brought world-class techniques to the sparkling wines of Limoux.

The Estate of Orliac is a 60 hectare vineyard surrounded by scrubland, perched on the hills of the surroundings of Montpellier, stretching from the Mountains to Seranne Pic Saint Loup. The Orliac family: Marie-Thérèse, Jean Marie, François and Yves run this fabulous domaine and are the leading producers in this once comparatively unknown region of Coteaux du Languedoc.

The vineyards of this domaine lie along the ancient high banks or the river Orb, composed of gravelly sand on a base of red clay - the highly treasured terroir of the appellation Coteaux du Languedoc et du St Chinian. This gravel that makes this terroir so special is dozens of metres deep, providing perfect drainage for the soil and encouraging the roots to grow deep, thus creating wines with great mineral character and very fine tannins.

Jean-Paul Rosset spent a lot of time and money were spent to transform this winery, and a new winemaker, Cyril Chamontin, and consultant, Claude Gros, were brought in to improve the quality of the wines. Jean-Paul also added new equipment including sorting tables to obtain only the best grapes and new oak barriques.

From the Mediterranean coast, the single varietal Vins de Pays from Domaine du Bosc are perfectly balanced with excellent varietal character. The Syrah is rich and full-bodied with rounded red fruits and spices. The Chardonnay has tropical fruit flavours with floral notes and a creamy finish.

Domaine du Bosc is headed up by the Besinet and Pourthié families who since the early 1970s have been producing Vin de Pays d'Oc wines in Cape d'Agde. The winemaker Pierre Besinet really does produce exceptional wines for the price, with admirable varietal characteristics. This Chardonnay is big in style with plenty of tropical and melon like fruit and a real sunny disposition! Great with Mediterranean cuisine.

Vin de Pays de Méditerranée is a relatively new appellation, introduced to identify and acknowledge the quality of the wines grown here, just south east of Avignon. These two entry point wines capture the spirit of Provence and are ideal as house wines. Both white and red grapes are harvested at night to retain the utmost freshness. All the wines are analysed with a blind-tasting for each vat performed by a jury composed of highly qualified professionals.

Domaine de Guillemarine has been in the same family for generations and has recently undergone extensive renovation. Picpoul (also referred to as Gros Plant or Folle Blanche) means "lip stinger," a name derived from the unusually high acidity levels found in its must.

Domaine Cabrials demonstrates the high standard and consistency found within the Languedoc. A staple on our list, these wines can suit every occasion. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot show ripe black and red fruits with soft tannins and hints of spice, which can be enjoyed with a juicy steak. In contrast the Pinot Noir demonstrates soft red cherry and hints of spice making this the perfect accompaniment to salads, cold meats and hard cheeses. The Rose is also worth a shot, refreshing, light and quaffable ideal as an aperitif.

Chateau de Tersac was recently bought by Jean-Michel and Michele Masson-Blondelet. With a huge amount of energy and investment, the vineyard was rejuvenated and a new winery was installed. They have numerous national awards as a result of their work. The white wine has a succulent but balanced fruitiness that comes from two thirds Vermentino and one third Grenache Blanc grapes. The red wine on the other hand has an intensely fruity and succulent smooth taste as it is made from old Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre vines.

Domaine de l'Ancienne Cure is a family-run vineyard situated in Colombier, several kilometres from Bergerac. ´L'Ancienne Cure' was the once the presbytery of Colombier which boasts a thirteenth-century church. Viticulturalist Christian Roche is the mastermind behind these two aromatic and complex sweet wines, blended from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, which are among the best of the region.

The inimitable Didier Dagueneau, one of the greatest winemakers of his generation, tragically died in 2008 in a microlite crash. He famously avowed that he would make 'the greatest Sauvignon Blanc in the world,' and is regarded by many as a pioneer for his unusual creations, such as Sauvignon Blancs meant for long-term cellaring, and even some with significant oak-influence.

Originally from Belguim, Leon Verhaeghe left his homeland in the early twentieth century and settled in the Lot. In 1958 his son Charles Verhaeghe and Charles's wife Marie-Therèse established a mixed farm with vineyards, planting a hectare of vines per year on three parcels. Now their sons Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe produce excellent Malbec from these established vineyards.

Situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this 16 hectare estate is run by father and daughter winemaking team Charles & Marie Hours. They produce two very different styles of Jurançon in a region which is steeped in history. All of the Hours's vines are trellised high at 2½ meters to prevent damage from the Spring frosts, and on average, the vines are over 20 years old.

This 50-hectare Domaine is situated in the village of Ramouzens in the eastern part of the Bas-Armagnac region. Traditionally an Armagnac producer, the decline in the demand for the brandy turned Alain's focus to white wine. He imported Gros Manseng vines from Jurançon in order to balance the Ugni Blanc and Colombard traditionally grown in Gascogne to make a wine from this three grape blend.

La Commanderie de Peyrassol was founded around the beginning of the 13th Century and in the next 50 years its production was increased to 28,000 litres. In 1311 the order of the Malta knights inherited the estate and retained it until 1789. Since the French Revolution, Commanderie de Peyrassol has been run and owned by the Rigord family, although wine production was only really taken seriously from 1977 when Françoise Rigord decided to raise brand awareness and firmly establish the estate's reputation as a great producer of wine. The current owner is Philippe Austruy who has continued to strive to achieve excellence since 2001.

Based in Bué, Vincent Pinard has vines in some of the best sites around Sancerre, and certainly makes the most of this privileged position, crafting some of the most exciting wines in the appellation. The Cuvée Flores is unoaked and intensely mineral, while the Nuance is more complex and textured, with subtle wood influence. The Harmonie is aged in barriques, and is rounded, restrained and extremely complex.

From the banks of the river Cher, this multi-award winning estate continues to craft vibrant, zesty and crisp Sauvignon Blanc to rival many a Sancerre. Slow fermentation at low temperatures results in fresh and aromatic wines with excellent structure and length with subtle minerality. The rosé; has an inviting nose of wild strawberries and summer meadows, with a clean mouth-watering palate of ripe red berries. A perennial favourite on our list.

Domaine Girault is situated in Bué, a small village in the heart of Sancerre. The domaine has been in the Girault family for eight generations, and is currently run by Patrick Girault.

Nestled at the foot of the slopes surrounding the village of Morogues, Domaine Henry Pellé is one of the leading producers in Menetou-Salon. The third generation, headed by Anne Pellé, continues to breathe fresh energy into the domaine, giving wines with fine balance of grape variety and terroir.

This is a high quality 20 hectare domaine is run by Jean-Michel Masson and his family, using low yields and a gravity-fed winery to make classic a classic example of Pouilly-Fumé. The grapes used for the Villa Paulus are from vines grown on Kimmeridgian marl, with high organic matter content. Careful vineyard management and winemaking practices yield a wine with excellent balance and minerality.

The very talented winemaker Bernard Fouquet, has 22 hectares of vineyards all planted with chenin blanc and situated in Vouvray. The Cuvée de Silex is a blend of three clay and flint vineyards. A great believer in terroir, this wine exhibits good mineral character, along with the honeyed fruit that is characteristic of Chenin Blanc.

Winemaker Yves Bretonnière makes classic Muscadet from his 30 acres of prime vineyards situated in the village of La Févrie which Bretonnière gently slopes down to the river Sèvre, a few miles east of Nantes. The wine is consistently fresh, crisp, dry, almost biscuity, with grapefruit and lime aromas.

Chateau Gaudrelle, located in the Vouvray appellation, is an area of 20 hectares founded in the 17th century .Today, they run their vineyard according to the biological rhythm of the vines and nature to create the optimum conditions for ripening of the harvest. Thus, are able to extract the very best character from the soil in order to produce outstanding wines.

Domaine Gramenon is one of the leading producers of Côtes du Rhône, making wines that are packed full of dense, ripe red berry fruit, but without being jammy and overblown. Syrah and Grenache are used to their best in Michelle Aubery-Laurent’s red wines, with a fantastic white Côtes du Rhône Vie en y Est (Viognier) complementing the range.

This domaine is situated on the edge of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and is unique in that, in 1936, the owner (of what was then a hunting retreat) refused to allow the experts who were drawing up the boundaries of the appellation to visit his domaine. Thus it was not included in the delimited area and remains to this day an enclave within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, only qualifying for the appellation Côtes-du-Rhône Villages.

A Provençal vineyard of great repute since the Gallo-Roman period owing to its red wines of great character. The wine-growers make themselves abide by a strict set of rules: a maximum yield fixed at 36 hl per hectare, sorting of the grapes so as to keep only the best...

Domaine de la Mordorée is one of the stellar producers in the southern Rhône. The style of the domaine is for rich, full-bodied and fruit driven wines which can be drunk young, but will age very well.

Established in 1942 by Etienne Grangeon with an initial 2 hectares of Grenache, Domaine de Cristia has rapidly established itself as one of the top estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with the top cuvees, the Vieilles Vignes and Cuvée Renaissance becoming highly sought after by drinkers and investors alike.

The Jaume family have been making wine here since 1826 and still own the same vineyards, with some 90-year-old vines still in production. Since Alain Jaume took over, the domaine has expanded to nearly 55 hectares spread across the Châteauneuf du Pape, Lirac, Côtes du Rhônes Villages "Les Champauvins", and Côtes du Rhône areas.

One of the great names of the prestigious Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation in the Southern Rhone region of France, Chateau de Beaucastel is famous for being the only Chateau that still uses all of grape varieties that are allowed under the rules of the appellation. However, their trademark grape is Mourvedre, blended in equal measure with Grenache.

Denis Alary is the 10th generation to make wine here in the small Rhône village of Cairanne. The wines are all biodynamic, and made predominantly from Grenache, with some Syrah and Mourvèdre.

Every since the domaine was founded by Julien Damoy in the early 20th century, it has produced top-quality wines that are highly expressive of each vineyardís unique terroir. The domaine is now made up of 11 hectares, with nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards, one of the largest holdings of any domaine. Under Pierre's ownership the domaine has re-invented itself with rigorous vineyard management to reduce the yields and improve the quality of the grapes. It is now amongst the top tier of Burgundy producers, making wines that are rich, powerful, complex and long lived.

The grapes from this superb domaine used to be sold to Guigal for blending, but in 1993 the domaine started making and bottling wines under their own label. Florent Viale has built the domaine up to be one of the best in the region. The Crozes-Hermitage vineyards lie next to the Hermitage appellation and have the best sites for producing the richer style of the domaine. The Cuvee Gaby is certainly one of the best wines of Crozes-Hermitage. The Hermitage is superb ñ rich and full-bodied but still very elegant with fine tannins.

One of wine’s fascinating characters, a charismatic and passionate man, full of energy. A man inspiring in his firm a state of mind and high levels of ambition. Curious and visionary, he has made choices of breakaway and conviction. A wine enthusiastic before becoming a wine-grower, Michel has undertaken many journeys. It is during these journeys and the many meetings resulting from them that he evaluated the diversity, richness and subtlety of wine, to understand the importance of the terroir and its expression in wine.

Certainly one of the most cheerful winemakers you get to meet in the Rhône, François always seems upbeat and energetic. He has only been making wines since 1989, but has already established himself as one of Condrieu’s greatest winemakers. No expense is spared in the production of his stunning wines, from painstaking selection in the vineyard to the new oak barrels that he buys every year.