ON THE GRAPEVINE

IN the world of wine, who wouldn’t want to get lost in France? Our wine journey takes us from the chalky soils of Champagne to the sunny Languedoc with some must-try favourites along the way...

Champagne Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2013,

France, £55, Clos 19:

Moet & Chandon’s 75th Grand Vintage 2013 is an extra brut with a beautifully aromatic bouquet, autumnal notes of ripe apples and pears, roasted chestnuts, honey and nectar, with an enticing hint of grapefruit on the finish.

Louis Latour Pouilly-Vinzelles En Paradis Burgundy 2018, £22.99, Flagship Wines

Sleek and charming with its exotic stone fruit aromas, lovely, weighty core of pineapple and apricots, with a brioche richness and pure, long-lasting finish. Impressive from the first to last drop.

Chateau Barreyres HautMedoc 2017, Bordeaux, France, £13, Sainsbury’s

While the truly great grand cru wines from a splendid chateau on the label cost a king’s ransom, the vast majority are easily within reach – such as this wellpriced gem. With fragrant aromatics, bags of plush, dark ripe fruits, cassis, violet, touch of cedar and harmonious finish, it’s very enjoyable.

Famille Perrin Close Encounters Chateauneufdu-Pape 2018, France, £20, Co-op stores

Give it up to the Co-op, who’ve collaborated with the Perrin family to release this exciting and exclusive CdP. A stunning blend of the three principal Rhone varietals – grenache, syrah and mourvedre. It’s a rhapsody of silky black fruits with a herbaceous, sweet spicy note and lustrous, long finish.

TTD Languedoc Red 2019, France, £7.50, Sainsbury’s

We’ve singled out this crowd-pleasing fruity bomb by leading producer Jean-Claude Mas, which displays his deft touch for creating lip-smacking reds. Big on flavour in a New World style, it punches well above its weight. Delicious!