Domaine de Durban, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2007 (37.5cl)
(Rhône, France)

Durban claim that their Muscats are so much more aromatic and more delicately coloured than any other Beaumes de Venise because they use a very unique form of the variety.

Whatever the reason this is the wine that the critics universally agree to be the best and is full of wonderful orangey / pear flavours.

Sweet without being cloying, within France it is frequently used as an aperitif as much as a desert wine. Ideal with lighter puddings such as meringue

Champagne Henri Mandois Brut Non-Vintage Half Bottle 37.5cl

This family firm is now run by Claude Mandois who is the 5th generation of the Mandois family lucky enough to be making Champagne from this vineyard. The estate comprises of 35 hectares of largely premier cru organically cultivated vineyards in 12 villages near Epernay in the South of the Champagne region.

Mandois is described in the Christie’s Encyclopedia of Champagne as producing “Elegant Champagnes which have a satisfying length of attractive creamy fruit… represtenting great value.” It was also descibed as "the Champagne house to watch" in this year’s pocket guide by the world’s best selling wine writer Hugh Johnson.

Château Lamourette 2005 Half-bottles
(Sauternes)

This little known property produces delicious wine, sometimes startlingly good. Despite being in Bommes, its style is sometimes reminiscent of good Barsac, with elegance and finesse to the fore, rather than sheer richness and power. It also displays a marked floral bouquet. The 2005 has been chosen by the Conseil Interprofessionel des Vins de Bordeaux to represent Sauternes in promotional tastings. The vineyard runs to 10 ha of old vines, planted with 90% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon and 6% Muscadelle. Most of the Sauvignon is used for dry white wine. Barrel ageing has only been used from 2001 and the 2005 is already quite delicious. The objective has always been to conserve the maximum aromatic complexity. The yield is never more than 13hl/ha. Anne-Marie Leglise, in direct succession of ownership from mother to daughter since 1860, runs Lamourette with talent and passion – she also makes a pretty good 100% Merlot red Graves.