French Wine


Champagne Canard-Duchêne Charles VII Grande Cuvée Le Victorieux NV (£35 Majestic) An odd mix of honeyed biscuity maturity with rather tart green apple immaturity, not hugely classy, but honest and quite tasty B Champagne Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial NV (£28.99 widely available) Rather heavy, earthy style, does have some citrus, […]

Wine Tasting Video: Five Champagnes – three NVs + two ...


Will be posting another couple of videos featuring the 2010 vintage soon, but in the meantime, here are some slightly older wines… Domaine Masson-Blondelet Pouilly-Fumé 2009 (£14.99 Waitrose) Has lost a little freshness, but still has some tangy taut lemon, lemongrass and herb flavour, a touch of flint and a […]

Wine Tasting Video: Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé 2008 & 2009


Chateau Maine-Martin Bordeaux Supérieur Vieilles Vignes 2005 (£8.55 Caves de Pyrene) Graceful, cedary, mature claret, more on the berry (red and black) than blackcurrant side, supple and with a leafy vibrancy, still a touch of chewy tannin but not for further keeping. B+ Château Les Gravières de la Brandille Bordeaux […]

Wine Tasting Video: 2005 Red Bordeaux




The third of four Beaujolais videos – the last will be Nouveau tomorrow, the first two are here and here. Just loved these wines, a great advert for the region. Domaine Gerard Descombes Juliénas 2010 (£12.49 Highbury Vintners) Oh yum, lovely oozing summer pudding fruit, crunchy and vibrant with classic […]

Wine Tasting Video: Beaujolais Part 3 – four of the ...


It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Day this coming Thursday, and it looks as if the region’s run of decent vintages has continued, so don’t be afraid to dig on the 17th. But if you fancy trying wines from earlier vintages, here are six that I’ve tried recently, and I’ll be posting two […]

Wine Tasting Video: Beaujolais Part 1