Wine Selection

To find a good sparkling wine under £10 is a considerable challenge. After dozens of samples we struck gold with this dry Colombard, Chenin Blanc by Jules Larose.

A delicious red Rhône and a long a favourite of the Guide Hachette des Vins, Hugh Johnson, Robert Parker and ours. Grenache, syrah and just a touch of mourvedre.

For when you fancy the fruit, finesse and delicacy of Sancerre but not the budget, Bellevue offers spectacular value for money.

A sumptuous blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from one of Chianti's most ancient estates, representing over 5 centuries of Siennese winemaking. Loves grilled red meats, game, mature cheeses.

From their glorious 200-acre estate just SE of Bordeaux, a refreshing, classic blend of (mostly) sauvignon blanc/sémillon that is crisp, fruity and alarmingly easy to drink.

Made in only the best vintages and blended for us by Jonathan Maltus, the first Englishman to be awarded 100 points by Robert Parker. Rich, ripe merlot, beautifully integrated oak.

A silky merlot blend from the Côtes de Castillon to deliciously demonstrate just how good - and ageworthy - the wines of Bordeaux's more affordable regions have become.

70% of the French champagne market is for small single grower champagnes such as this, rather than big brand, 'les grandes marques'. Delicious champagne.

Made from 100-year-old vines, hand picked and aged on lees for more body and character than found in most Muscadets.

A gorgeous wine with layers of honey, tropical fruit and white flowers, rich, full-bodied, seamlessly integrated oak.

From northwestern Spain's verdant Salnés Valley in Gallicia (D.O. Rías Baixas), comes the crisp, fruity Albarino varietal, one perfectly matching the region's seafood-heavy cuisine.

From pinot noir vines averaging 50 years of age comes this deeply fruited, peppery Bourgogne Rouge from the clay/limestone plateau in the Macon region of southern Burgundy.

From 3rd-growth Château Giscours (Margaux) and sumptuous, abundant, well-balanced proof that you need not always pay £20+ for a bottle of Left Bank pedigree and finesse.

Domaine les Grands Bois was recommended to us as the best local grower by the owner of the best bistro in Cairanne, itself the best of the 21 Cotes-du-Rhone villages.

A lovely off-dry white wine which is well balanced with a refreshing acidity. A rich yellow in colour, with a nose of smoky notes and dried fruit.

"It's amazing value, and as good a French non-champagne as you'll find, with honeyed yet dry fruit, the softest of mousses and finest of finishes. Outstanding."

Good Vouvray from the north of the Loire by Tours is one of France's hidden jewels, and one of our favourite white wines. Bernard Fouquet's fabulous Vouvray, grown on vines ...

Made from 40 year old vines and aged in French oak barrels. Priorat with just Rioja has the highest designation for a wine appellation in Spain.

Our number one selling white wine. Truly delicious white burgundy from the Rousset family and quite extraordinary good value.

From one of the most creative of new generation Piedmont winegrowers comes a Barbera d'Alba of exceptional finesse and elegance. Structured, bold, expressive - delicious.

"... I'm mad to ignore it. It's just so tasty soft, creamy and tropical with an underlying zestiness and energy and so well-priced..."

Château Ramafort is in cracking form. The Cru Bourgeois estate, once belonged to Château Lafite. A 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot.

The utmost expression of Loire Sauvignon Blanc sophistication and sourced across 30 different limestone, marl and flint parcels for a Pouilly-Fume of remarkable aromatic complexity.

A perfectly mature 'mini-super-Tuscan' blend of sangiovese, cab franc and merlot and without the super-Tuscan price. Almost two decades on, it's full of delicious nuance, complexity - and life.