French (and a port) Mixed Case 2024 (6)

The vines are located between the Saône plain and the Mâconnais mountains. They grow in clay-limestone soils and the wine is made in the traditional méthode champenoise.This 100% Chardonnay, Crémant de Bourgogne is a brilliant gold colour with delicate bubbles. The nose is subtle with notes of lemon zest. The palate finds its balance between liveliness, predominantly floral, and the finesse of the aromas of white fruits. The mouth is fresh and elegant.Ideal as an aperitif.

Brothers Stephane and Vincent Perraud, ninth generation winemakers in the Pays Nantais, are producing some of Muscadet's most thrilling wines from their organically certified vineyards. Exclusively hand-harvested and fermented using native yeast from the grapes. Ageing on lees is a minimum of 8 months, giving excellent breadth and complexity to the palate. An expressive nose, with acacia flowers and white peach alongside the saline mineral notes characteristic of this Atlantic region. Lively and zesty on the palate, with crisp citrus fruits and a long savoury finish. White fish or oysters will make for a stunning pairing.

A family-run domaine managing 23 hectares of vines rooted in the region's famousKimmeridgian soils. These soils are said to impart the fabled minerality in Chablis wines, and here's a textbook example. Crisp and mineral but with an underlying generosity, making them wonderful yet restrained partners for food.It's crisp, pure, tangy and shot through with gorgeous citrus and white flower notes, but also has a glorious rounded feel in the mouth. Drinking beautifully right now, especially with food: this will partner up particularly well with fish, seafood and poultry.

One of the iconic names of Burgundy, the Liger-Belair family have been important winemakers and traders in the region since 1720 tracing back to Claude Marey, secretary to the King of France at that time. From across Burgundy and Beaujolais (they are one of the great estates in Moulin-a-Vent) they produce wines of superior power, always backed by finesse and freshness. Le Deux Terres brings together 85% Gamay from Beaujolais and the Macon with 15% Pinot Noir from Bourgogne. This produces a silky fruit-forward wine, with lots of juicy cherry and berry fruit alongside a beguiling floral perfume. 

One of the iconic names of Portuguese wine, Vale Meao continue to stand out as one of the Douro Valley's greatest wineries. Winemaker Xito Olazabal is continuing the family legacy and producing arguably the finest wines in the estate's illustrious history. A fantastic example of single estate port wine. Traditionally made using foot-treading in granite lagares before fortification. The final wine is an expert blend from across different parcels and vintages, bringing together grape varieties and soil-types to fully represent the character of the whole estate.Aromas of blackberry coulis and blueberry pie are tempered by fresher cranberry and herbal notes. The palate is full and spicy, with warm ripe tannin and lots of sweet black cherry fruit.