The Chapoutier name is synonymous with some of the finest wines of the Rhône. The family founded an estate in the north of the region, in prized Hermitage, in 1808 and it has stayed in the family since. Michel Chapoutier took charge in the 1980s, introducing braille on his labels, single vineyard wines and meticulous biodynamic methods. His adventurous spirit made him look further afield for great estates and in 2000 he bought Bila-Haut in the Roussillon. Terroir is of the utmost importance to him and his wines must taste real!

This is a gloriously expressive red using Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from his rugged Roussillon vineyards. With silky black cherry, bramble fruit and spice, this is a top wine for roast meats or a rich cassoulet.

Provence is France’s premier rosé region and Domaine de Paris is one of its most stylish and elegant. A previous vintage even gained mention in the prestigious US journal Wine Spectator: “Very good – a wine with special qualities. Dry and refined, with dried berry and cherry flavors and plenty of minerally notes.” The estate has been owned since 1900 by three generations of the Brun family.

50 year old Syrah and Grenache vines produce fruit of superb concentration and impeccable purity. There’s a tantalising steeliness to the structure, a flinty backbone coupled with wild strawberries and a lovely savoury note. Fine Provence rosé is not just for summer! The locals enjoy it all year round, on its own or with seafood, chicken or ratatouille.

Jean-Marc Diffonty’s flagship red is a rich, opulent, no-holds-barred style of Châteauneuf. It offers layers of dark, smoky, red berry fruit complexity, with a rich seam of spice. From the superb 2021 vintage, it scored 92-94 points from Decanter.

This irresistible black beauty is made from fabulously intense Shiraz and Grenache grapes grown on the craggy hillsides of France’s deep south – the Languedoc-Roussillon. Look up from the vines and you will see ruins of castles perching precariously on rocky peaks. This inhospitable landscape and these ancient strongholds were home to medieval Cathars who lived in awe of the evil god Rex Mundi (‘King of the World’).

He corrupted the faithful with promises of earthly pleasures and the forbidden delights of mortal flesh. But behind the wine is a very kind soul - Hervé Sabardeil, our ‘King of the Black Reds’. Don’t even try to resist the temptation of this red, just sip and enjoy its marriage of liquorice-scented Shiraz and luscious Grenache.