Food and Drink

French exchange

Above: Peybouquet 2005 Bergerac

Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2005; France Wine Shop; £9
A super pinot from the Burgundy region of France. Clean brilliant and soft on the palate. Many of the wines from this region are over priced and disappointing but the Dubois family rarely disappoint and this wine has character in spades. Share with a couple of friends good with all food as it does not over power.

Dourthe No 1 2006 Bordeaux; Waitrose; £4.95
An interesting wine from Waitrose. Most people do not associate the Bordeaux region with white wines, but they should look again. This sauvignon white from Entre Deux Mers is clean zesty and approachable. Drink on its own or with salads or fish. Its clear lemon style is super with freshwater trout and if you are in the mood, add some of the wine to the pan when the fish is nearly cooked.

Colombard Sauvignon 2005; Wine Rack; £4.49
A flowery colombard with a great nose and clean on the palate, lemon and zesty without being too fragrant. A tip at the moment is to search around the supermarkets and high street wine shops for interesting whites and rosés at bargain prices! As the summer was in the main a wash out the shops are looking to clear the shelves of non branded wines and French whites and rosés are at bargain prices.

Domaine Jean-Pierre Bony Bourgogne Rosé 2005; France Wine Shop; £7
A dark Burgundian rose with plenty of body. For those who like the light Provence roses this is not for you! For those who prefer their wines with body and strength this lighter wine will do the job. Almost claret in character yet showing that silkiness that is the hall mark of the region. Good with white meat and fish also excellent with ham. Medieval in many ways!

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (Tradition); Tesco; £7.95
Well done Tesco. Stocking a wine of this grape variety and style is not their stock in trade, but I was really pleased to see this on the shelves. Honey sweet and laced with rocky herbs and touches of gorse. A very good accompaniment with blue cheese or a fruity summer pudding. Top notch.

Peybouquet 2005 Bergerac; France Wine Shop; £7.50
A rustic charmer from the ever popular holiday region of Bergerac. Big merlot taste with medium tannins make this wine an excellent accompaniment to meat and stews. Definitely a wine of character and charm. Redolent of an early evening dinner overlooking the Dordogne – great with bread, cheese and saucisson.

For more on French wine and food, the September edition of FRANCE Magazine is out now (£3.99). Visit www.francemag.com for more information on Britain’s best-selling magazine for lovers of everything French.