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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

"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."

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..."

A beautifully developed, traditional Rioja which after 18 years' cellaring is rendered round, silky, complex and classy - full of fruit, full of life.

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.

Michel Guilleminot Blanc de Noirs comes from the very south of Champagne in the beautiful Vallee de l'Aube. A lovely single grower champagne made by the 4th generation Guilleminot family.

Rosé champagne has a cachet and excitement about it, perhaps because it is rarer. The Guilleminot Rosé champagne made with their own Champenois pinot noir is a real treat.

"...look no further than the Champagne Arlaux 1er Cru Grande Cuvée Brut NV. It really is astoundingly fine, all baked apple, honey and toast with the finest of mousses..."

Winemaker Enrico Mercato has crafted this sumptuous lightly oak aged wine which is soft and full of rich black fruit flavours with a hint of spices and a lovely finish.