On the grapevine

SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... THREE OF FRANCE’S MOST FAMOUS WINE REGIONS

WITH just the Eurotunnel between us, come summer, we love to pour into France – and we never tire of pouring their wines either.

With verdant vineyards throughout most of the country, the opportunity for local refreshment is never more than a sip or two away.

Of course, when we land on French soil, the top three regions that come to mind are Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

Fancy sipping on some of France’s finest this summer? Check out this top trio...

Champagne Castelnau Brut Reserve NV, France

£29.50, The Wine Society

THE only thing more exciting than drinking Champagne is being in Champagne.

With nearly 300 miles of scenic cycling routes through premier cru and grand cru villages, its landscape has never looked more tempting.

To set you on the right path, journey beyond the big-name houses with these brilliant bubbles that offer a fine layer of richness, decent biscuity notes and an easy-drinking freshness at an approachable price.

Coteaux Bourguignons 2018, Burgundy, France

£8.50, Marks & Spencer

THE food is reason enough to holiday here and this soft, juicy red is as fragrant as a boeuf bourguignon laced with aromatic herbs.

With its full-on silky, plummy red berry fruit, it’s a perfect match with the region’s signature dish (there’s a tiny bit of oak influence). It can be served lightly chilled too and tastes particularly summery with a spread of mild cheeses and simple saucisson.

Moulins de Citran Haut-Medoc 2009, Bordeaux, France

£13.99, Aldi

WITH its excellent wine tourism, magnificent 18th-century chateaux and so many top-notch places to dine and stay, there are plenty of excuses to blow the budget in the red wine capital of the world.

But the good news is, you can penny-pinch (check out Eklo Bordeaux) and take comfort in richness with Aldi’s gold medal-winning (International Wine and Spirits Challenge 2019) claret from one of the greatest vintages of the past 30 years.

The second wine of Chateau Moulins, there’s a cedary edge to the layered, fully ripe black cherry and raspberry fruit with some toasty oak and a soft, long finish – there’s really no need to wait.