For lovers of French wine, try these flavourful sippers

This week’s recommendations are delicious wines from France.

Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneufdu-Pape Blanc 2016-2017

Rhone Valley, France

Three stars

Châteauneuf-du-Pape usually means full-bodied, heady reds based on grenache. The whites are also robust and full-bodied, as is this beauty from winemaker Christian Berthet-Rayne. Scents of jasmine and beeswax, and the spice of ginger make this wine entrancing. It’s a blend of organic clairette, bourboulenc, grenache blanc and roussanne. I tasted the 2016; the importer is now selling the 2017, though both vintages may still be available. Alcohol by volume: 14 per cent.

Domaine de la Denante Mâcon-Davayé 2017

Burgundy, France

Two and a half stars

This delicious red is made from old-vines gamay, the grape of beaujolais. It is rather earthier and more rustic than its southern neighbour, a result of the limestone soils there compared to granite in Beaujolais.

Don’t cellar this; it’s meant more as an everyday house wine. Enjoy it with braised meat dishes and cold weather. ABV: 13 per cent.

Domaine du Mont Epin Macon-Peronne 2016

Burgundy, France

Two and a half stars

Chardonnay shines in the Maconnais, and Domaine du Mont Épin doesn’t disappoint with this racy white that combines fruit, flowers and minerals in its flavour profile. ABV: 13 per cent.

Camille Cayran L’Elegante Cairanne 2016

Rhone Valley, France

Two and a half stars

Cairanne is a village in the Rhone Valley with its own appellation, giving the wines greater status than Côtes-du-Rhone. These tend to be somewhat brawny, with an appealing rusticity. This example by Camille Cayran, certified organic, lives up to its name with an attractive elegance and polish. It’s a blend of grenache, syrah, carignan and mourvedre. ABV: 14.5 per cent.