Chateau de l'Hestrange Bourgogne Chardonnay 2009
(Burgundy, France)

Made at one of the highest estates in Burgundy the owner of this estate, Laurent Metge-Toppin (nick-named the ‘Mange-Tout’) has been described as “The flying wine-maker working in the clouds of Beaujolais.” If he was English he would also be politely described as ‘slightly eccentric’ as when not working on his own estate Laurent also consults at the Siam winery in Thailand where they harvest using both elephants and punt-like boats in the drainage ditches to carry grapes back to the winery for processing! In Thailand the current wine-vintage is 2553 as they use the Buddhist calendar.

L'Hestrange respects the environment by promoting the use of natural fertiliser and keeping the use of weed killers to a minimum. Pruning and harvesting is done manually. In 2000 Laurent decided to plant on the east facing hills, vines of Chardonnay from Burgundy.The vines are situated between 450 to 550m high, on the steep hills facing South east and at the end of the summer they benefit from the hot days and cool nights which are perfect for maturation.

Louis Jadot Macon Villages 2008
(Burgundy, France)

The Macon Villages area is located in the southern part of Burgundy close to the Beaujolais area. This appellation is the largest of the Maconnais area, covering about 2,500 ha of vineyards and 43 communes. Forty three villages have the right to produce Macon Blanc Villages. Macon Villages are only white wines. They are made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. the limestone subsoil of the Monts du Maconnais are ideal for growing the Chardonnay grapes. Some small area produce exceptional wine. The Louis Jadot Macon Blanc Villages is made from grapes from these different areas.Dry and easy to drink, lively and charming, this is a fruity wine with a floral scent and a hint of lemon, the Macon Villages should be drunk chilled and rather young. Goes very well with a large range of foods including "hors d'oevres, fried or grilled fish, sea food, goat's milk cheese and poultry.

Domaine Talmard Macon-Uchizy 2009
(Burgundy, France)

The Mâconnais doesn’t always get the respect it deserves, largely because it is less than an hour's drive south of the world famous villages of Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and Corton-Charlemagne which arguably make the greatest white wines in the world. With neighbours like that it is hard to ‘keep up with the Jones’.

Talmard’s Macon-Uchizy is an unoaked white Burgundy that is one of our top sellers: Ripe, with aromas of melon, ripe pear, lemon oil and almonds and rich noticeably yeasty flavours on the palate from extended aging on the lees (yeast that has finished fermenting) with a long finish and absolutely no oak and a lovely green apple freshness. Terrific value for this quality of winemaking.

And the Talmard family are lovely which always helps!

Joseph Drouhin Domaine Vaudon, Chablis 2008,
(Burgundy, France)

"An elegant wine. Brilliant colour, with hints of green. Typical Chablis nose, where aromas of citrus (lemon) fern and even salty sensations predominate. On the palate: vigorous and lively, but in a soft mode. A lot of finesse and balance."
Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin

Paul Boutinot's Pouilly-Fuisse 2007/08
(Burgundy, France)

IWC Silver Medal Winner in 2008 for the 2006 vintage
For this wine the grapes are hand picked then lightly pressed followed by static settling. After fermentation the wines are left on their lees for at least six months before undergoing light filtration to remove sediment, whilst retaining and enhancing flavour and quality.