Over the past forty years we have built up a good reputation for sourcing fine French wines from small Chateaux and vineyards, where we personally know the growers. Many make award winning wines which are only available through us. Through group buying we also supply some of the smaller, boutique orientated brands, at competitive prices. Pol Roger, Louis Roederer, Faiveley, Hugel are just a few examples.
Our Wines
Burgundy
The birthplace of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Burgundy makes the most romanticised wines in the world. Great Burgundies are not only found in a few expensive names but also in a myriad of little known villages.
Bordeaux
From flamboyant owners in fairytale Chateaux to humble ” artisans vignerons “, from Merlot to Sauvignon, from dry to sweet, Bordeaux will always be the classic choice.
Champagne
Our range has always been very comprehensive and covers the great “terroirs” of Champagne: Montagne de Reims, Cote des Blancs, Epernay Vallee de la Marne, Cote des Bar. Our range features the great Houses of Pol Roger, Louis Roederer, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Perignon, Krug, Gosset, Maurice Vesselle and Taittinger.
Alsace
In the far east of France Alsace stands out from other French regions by its strong Franco-Germanic influences. This is evident not only in Alsatian architecture and culture, but also in the wines. We always stock a good variety of these wines, from a dry crisp Riesling to the unique spicy Gewurtztraminer without forgetting the delicious Cremant d’Alsace. Some are from small producers others from the great boutique brand of Hugel in Riquewihr.
Languedoc Roussillon
Mediterranean wines at their best, from Nimes in the east to the Spanish border where there still is a strong Catalan influence. While Languedoc’s vineyards are mostly located on coastal plains, those of Roussillon are often nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees. A large proportion of the land is garrigue- the southern French landscape of dry, low-lying scubland on limestone – and the variety of wines at all levels , quality, quantity and price, is astonishing. Always worth checking what is available.
Loire
The Loire valley – France’s longest river- covers many styles and diversity is the region’s key strength. Great Sauvignon Blanc in Sancerre, Pouilly and surrounding villages like Menetou or Quincy, Chenin blanc in Vouvray, Cabernet Franc and Gamay in Anjou, Saumur and Chinon, Muscadet near the Atlantic.The style ranges from the light tart Muscadet to the sweet, honeyed Bonnezeaux, to the sparkling wines of Saumur and Vouvray.
Rhone
Often divided between north and south the Rhone valley is associated with both the purity of Syrah in the cooler Hermitage areas and the richer Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blends in Cairanne, Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape. We stock both everyday drinking wines from Boutinot and gems from the great house of Guigal.
South West
Known as France’s hidden corner the region lies essentially between Bordeaux and the eastern Pyrenee. Here Britain was a historic partner for a long time following the marriage of Eleanor d’Aquitaine to Henry the second, the local rivers playing an essential role moving wines from Bergerac, Cahors or Gaillac to Bordeaux then London. If the region is the home of Malbec other varieties like Tannat, Petit Manseng or Colombard are not well known. We have imported wines from the south-west like our famous La Salette for many years now and of course it is also the home of the great Armagnac brandy.
Get in touch for deliveries, collections and opening hours
Hopton Courtyard, 7 Snitterton Road
Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3LZ England