Top 10 French Wines
2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay 13% vol
Made by the Nicolas Potel stable from hand-picked grapes grown in and around the village of Meursault, this is an absolute belter of a white burgundy. With its soft supple fruit, well-judged use of French oak and juicy finish it could pass for something far grander. Match it with creamy fish dishes or chicken and mushroom pie.
2005 Château Barreyres, Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois 13% vol
As we all know, 2005 was a cracking year for red bordeaux and the big names were bought up long ago en primeur or remain prohibitively expensive. But for well under a tenner, Château Barreyres is superb value.
With ripe, smooth blackcurrant and black cherry fruit and structured tannins, it is drinking beautifully now and will continue to improve. Ideal for the Sunday roast.
2006 Bourgogne Pinot Noir 13% vol
Made from 50-year-old vines, this is the red equivalent of the chardonnay above and is similarly great value. 2006 was a marvellous year for grape ripeness and there's no shortage of spicy, jammy fruit on the palate with silky soft tannins and hints of vanilla. The classic match for boeuf bourguignon, it can also partner grilled tuna steak, bangers and mash or simple salads.
2007 Domaine Josmeyer Alsace Pinot Blanc "Mise du Printemps" 13% vol
A lovely wine from Josmeyer's biodynamic vineyards in Wintzenheim that's fresh and lively, with scrumptious honeyed pears on the palate and a long, dry finish. I can't remember tasting a finer example of Alsace Pinot Blanc. Delicious with onion tart or baked sea bass.
2005 Château Mont-Redon, Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 13.5% vol
Established in 1344, Château Mont-Redon is one of the oldest wine-producing estates in France and the largest single property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate's soft, spicy Côtes-du-Rhône, blended from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, is the best I've had in many a year. Great value and perfect for early summer barbecues.
2006 Château Puysserguier, Saint Chinian Blanc 13% vol
This white Saint Chinian from a Languedoc cooperative is something of a rarity and utterly delicious. A blend of Vermentino, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne - part oak-fermented and part steel-fermented - it is soft and buttery with hints of acacia flower, honey and spice. Try it with butternut squash risotto or pumpkin ravioli.
2007 Côté Tariquet, Côtes de Gascogne 11.5% vol
I love the wines of Domaine de Tariquet - France's largest independent vineyard - and this is one of my favourites. A very un-French blend of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, it is deliciously fruity, with a dry to off-dry finish and makes for classy quaffing wine.
Laurent Perrier NV Brut Ultra Champagne 13% vol
Made from 55 per cent chardonnay and 45 per cent pinot noir, this wonderfully invigorating champagne has had no sugar added at any stage and is as dry as they come. A worthy successor to Laurent Perrier's fabled "grand vin sans sucre" of years ago, it makes a guilt-free, low calorie, aperitif.
2005 Château Roques Mauriac "Classic" Bordeaux Rosé 12.5% vol
This blend of 60 per cent merlot and 40 per cent cabernet franc from the Entre-Deux-Mers in Bordeaux is a beguiling rosy pink with elusive hints of wild strawberries on the nose.
Light and undemanding rather than full-bodied and characterful, it is crisp, dry and very refreshing when served chilled, either as an aperitif or with simple starters of smoked salmon or parma ham.
2005 Irouléguy, Domaine Ilarria,"Cuvée Bixinto" 12.5% vol
Peio Espil is one of only half a dozen independent winemakers in Irouléguy at the foot of the Pyrenees and his feisty red is a delight. Made from 100 per cent organic tannat (famous for its antioxidant powers) and a splash of cabernet sauvignon, it's practically a health drink. Decant and serve with barbecued leg of lamb.
The Telegraph