This is a big brooding beast of a wine with myriad depths. As such, it not only needs food to tame it, but it needs the right food. Think big flavours, & ideally base those around lamb, from herb-crusted roasted legs to Mediterranean-style casseroles steeped in olive oil, rosemary & garlic. Venison works well too, as do strong hard cheeses. Domaine Mestre lies in the heart of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation & has 11 hectares under vine. With a typically Chateauneuf terroir: pebbly soil & red clay covered with fat pudding stones rocks, the viticulture is handled organically, with green harvesting carried out rigorously to ensure low yields & intensely flavoured grapes. Deep & inky black in the glass, with powerful aromas of ripe sun-baked fruits, black olive, tamarind & orange peel with a gamey, ‘animal' backnote. On the palate it is rich & sumptuous, but focused & rounded too, showing good complexity but a clear path through its intriguing depths. A mahogany-like warmth coats the finish. ...

This is a big brooding beast of a wine with myriad depths. As such, it not only needs food to tame it, but it needs the right food. Think big flavours, & ideally base those around lamb, from herb-crusted roasted legs to Mediterranean-style casseroles steeped in olive oil, rosemary & garlic. Venison works well too, as do strong hard cheeses. Domaine Mestre lies in the heart of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation & has 11 hectares under vine. With a typically Chateauneuf terroir: pebbly soil & red clay covered with fat pudding stones rocks, the viticulture is handled organically, with green harvesting carried out rigorously to ensure low yields & intensely flavoured grapes. Deep & inky black in the glass, with powerful aromas of ripe sun-baked fruits, black olive, tamarind & orange peel with a gamey, ‘animal' backnote. On the palate it is rich & sumptuous, but focused & rounded too, showing good complexity but a clear path through its intriguing depths. A mahogany-like warmth coats the finish. ...

Typical of New World innovation & their fresh approach to wine-making, Zuccardi have produced a white wine that not only ticks some of the most difficult food matching boxes, but is also a fresh & easy-sipping delight. Match this with summery foods such as asparagus & the ever tricky artichoke, or pair it with spicy Asian curries. La Agricola is owned by Familia Zuccardi, one of Argentina's most prominent, innovative & quality-driven estates. Owned & run by Jose Zuccardi – son of founder Alberto Zuccardi – La Agricola is based in Maipu, just outside of Mendoza, & specialises in creating unique fusions of European grapes grown in an ideal microclimate. Pale straw yellow in colour with gleaming greenish tints. On the nose it offers quince aromas & floral notes of rose, jasmine & citrus blossom, mingled with the grapey freshness of Muscat grapes. In the mouth is has the weight & fine acidity of a good Chenin, balanced by the bright, crisp fruitiness of a well-made Torrontes. ...

This wine ideally matches to light red meat dishes, or anything with a tomato based sauce. Also think creamy mushroom sauce, baked camembert or red onion & beetroot tart. Domaine de Veilleurs is a family run vineyard & winery in Cheverny in the heart of the Loire Valley. They are certified organic by Ecocert & believe in making wine that is a true expression of the terroir. Red Cheverny is a blend of the well known Pinot Noir grape, famous in Burgundy & red Sancerre, & the lesser known Gamay, usually found in Beaujolais. The Pinot Noir adds savoury, earthy, smoky complexity whilst the Gamay gives the wine freshness, vibrant fruit character & added complexity. This is a paradox of a wine. Fresh, elegant & lively with lots of red berry & cherry flavours. The weight is mouthfilling with rounded tannins & a hint of smoky spice that adds a savoury quality to the finish. ...

The freshness of this wine pairs very well to seafood & fish dishes. The local cheese is goatands cheese so consider it with salads or in a tart with caramelised onions. Domaine de Veilleurs is a family run vineyard & winery in Cheverny in the heart of the Loire Valley. They are certified organic by Ecocert & believe in making wine that is a true expression of the terroir. White Cheverny is a blend of the well known Sauvignon Blanc grape, famous in Sancerre & Pouilly-Fume, & the lesser known Menu Pineau. The Sauvignon Blanc adds finesse & austerity whilst the Menu Pineau gives the wine depth, weight & added complexity. The blend of grape varieties gives the wine great depth & complexity. It is fresh & lively with a hint of lime zest & saltiness. Has stone fruit flavours & rich smooth texture. Overall it bursts in the mouth & finishes with a wonderful floral softness. ...

Blending the classic Chianti grapes Sangiovese & Canaiolo Toscano (a traditional grape that is no longer required in Chianti wines, but when grown well, adds an unmistakable leathery, strawberry edge), this wine is a great match for food, from garlic-rubbed steaks to sage-marinated pork, herby, fennely sausages & classic ribollita soup. Cantine Innocenti lies between Montepulciano & Montefollonico & is run by Vittorio Innocenti & his family. The estate has around 12 hectares of vineyards between 330 & 350 metres above sea level. The cellar buildings, dating back to end of the 13th century, are in the small, well-preserved medieval town of Montefollonico. Vibrant ruby/garnet red in colour, with a sumptuous nose full of ripe cherry & strawberry aromas, spice & leather notes & a fragrant dried herb nuance in the background, along with a slight ‘meatiness'. In the mouth it is full & juicy, showing good depth & complexity with fruit & cinnamon flavours tempered with a leafy rusticity. ...

Good Cru Beaujolais such as this is a very food-friendly wine. With its juicy, fruit-forward style, floral aromas & quenching acidity, this is a very affable dinner-table partner. Perfect with good quality charcuterie, gammon steaks, chicken casseroles or braised rabbit, it also works wonders with roast turkey & pork belly. Didier Desvignes of Domaine du Calvaire believes that great wines are produced from healthy, mature grapes. He aims to reduce the vigour of the vine by treating each parcel according to its needs & practicing strict green harvesting. Through these techniques he is able to control the quality & character of each parcel of grapes. Ruby red in the glass with a violet ‘robe'. On the nose it shows wonderful scents of rose, iris & elderflower, raspberry aromas & a touch of minerally earth. On the palate it is quenching & bright with tangy wild strawberry flavours, floral nuances & an intriguing minerally depth. The juicy fruit flavours linger over a good acidic finish. ...

This fantastic presentation box is guaranteed to impress & makes a lasting gift. The box is made from a beautifully designed faux leather & comes with elegant stitched seams. This elegantly made single bottle box comes with a clever strap
- & would make a perfect gift case or could be used to safely carry your wine bottle. Buying for a discerning wine lover can sometimes be tricky, but have confidence in this complex pair. The Jean Faure has just regained its Grand Cru Classe status & is an absolute gem when you consider the pedigree of the neighbouring vineyards. Wines have been produced by the Amoreau family at Chateau le Puy since 1610, this one being made from vines with an age of 55 years.
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If youre having friends & family descending this Christmas youll need some easy drinking yet great quality wines to keep everybody happy. This case of 12 encompasses white, red & sparkling wine to tick the boxes for your quaffable drinks needs. ...

A hearty red needs hearty food so match it with red meats, game & anything with a rich flavoursome suace, like casseroles. Domaine Ledogar has been owned & run by Xavier Ledogar since 1997. The vineyard previously sold its grapes to a local co-operative but Xavier wanted to follow his heart & make his own wine. The winery used to be called Domaine Grand Lauze but the name was changed to reflect the fact that they were now making their own wine. One of the buildings bought by Xavierands Dad dating back to 1905 was converted in the winery & cellar area. " La Compagnon" almost leaps out of the glass with a nose giving heaps of black fruit & licorice. On the palate, the wine is rounded & smooth with all that soft fruit & a hint of a spicy finish. A beautiful wine which, as the name suggests, is a perfect companion with food. ...