{"title":"French charmers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe’re assembling quite the collection of emerging talent from Burgundy, Beaujolais and the northern Rhône - for me the most charming and elegant wines in France!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"domaine-habrard-crozes-hermitage-marion-2020","title":"Domaine Habrard Crozes-Hermitage Marion 2020","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCrozes-Hermitage is a big region by northern Rhône standards… but all the best stuff hides out on the steep, sun-kissed slopes of the northern side of the Rhône river. And that’s exactly where you’ll find Laurent’s vineyards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn the best years, Laurent picks out his best plot, and names the wine after one of his team. Laurent skipped a year in 2018 because the quality wasn’t sky-high enough, but 2020 was a belter. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSo he made this wine and named it after his colleague, Marion, who I work closely with on export sales.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe vineyards behind this wine are old - up to 70 years - and have been farmed organically since 2008. This was the first year Laurent bottled his wines without sulphites - his aim is to achieve the purest, most artisanal representation of the special place he grows his vines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eYou get a deep, dark savoury nose, with lovely violet notes. On the palate it’s complex, dense and peppery - you can really taste the step-up in quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is a chance to taste seriously fine French wine - at an amazing price.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePlease note that Laurent has decided not to put a foil capsule on any of his wines, for environmental reasons. It makes absolutely no difference to the taste but if you're buying this wine as a gift, it's worth bearing in mind!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50977100104011,"sku":"LHMAR20","price":30.2,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0278.jpg?v=1773249555"},{"product_id":"domaine-habrard-saint-joseph-2022","title":"Domaine Habrard Saint-Joseph 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a tiny-production, organic Saint-Joseph that shows you exactly what this famous appellation is all about.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLaurent tells me the vineyard is owned by a guy who used to work for Renault - and when he passed it to his son, it fell into disrepair. Laurent got the opportunity to work with the grapes in 2012, and gradually restored the vineyard to its former greatness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe only makes 1,500 bottles - and gives the vineyard owner a quarter of them as payment for the grapes!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is signature smoky, peppery and savoury Syrah from a master craftsman. Wine expert Matt Walls in Decanter called this ‘\u003cem\u003eeffortlessly lovely\u003c\/em\u003e’ - which is a great way to put it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’re thrilled to get our hands on a few cases, and can’t wait to hear what you think.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50977115570507,"sku":"LHSTJ22","price":36.62,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0083.jpg?v=1734211733"},{"product_id":"domaine-nicolas-hautes-cotes-de-beaune-blanc-2023","title":"Domaine Nicolas Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMylène tells me Hautes-Cotes de Beaune is the best value appellation in Burgundy. And upon tasting this, you’d find it hard to disagree.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe 50-year old Chardonnay vineyards are situated high up on south-facing slopes - so you get great flavour in the grapes but also freshness from the elevation. The soils are clay-limestone - which gives the fruit a lovely and subtle complexity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThen in the winery the wine is aged for 10 months in a mixture of new and old French oak which gives the wine a gorgeous nutty, oatmeal character. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEveryone goes nuts for Macon - but this further north and is fresher, rounder, better balanced.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is just textbook Burgundy Chardonnay at an amazing price.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52621984104779,"sku":"NICHCB23","price":24.66,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0031.jpg?v=1731753830"},{"product_id":"dominique-cornin-macon-fuisse-les-bruyeres-2023","title":"Cornin Mâcon-Fuissé Les Bruyères 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eMâcon has long been seen as the value and volume end of white Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost bottles are labelled as Mâcon-Villages, with grapes picked from several villages, blended together and sold by the big negociants. Solid white wine, but often uninspiring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there’s a new generation of Burgundian winemakers coming through who are eager to show the true potential of the region and its villages. Small can be beautiful too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomain Cornin is a shining example of this, as one of the rising stars of the Burgundy wine scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis comes from Romain’s youngest Chardonnay vineyard, which he planted with his late father 15 years ago. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s north-facing, just over the hill from the more famous Pouilly-Fuissé, and based on blue schist soils, which he tells me are very unusual in the area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomain is all about natural winemaking. The wine is aged in stainless steel to preserve the fruit and freshness, and left unfined and unfiltered to keep its full texture and character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a gem of a white Burgundy at an amazing price - a buttery, lemony and crisp Chardonnay with beautiful energy and minerality.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53080335253835,"sku":"DCMFLB23","price":24.45,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0249_02f3c208-2fdc-4c1c-91fc-2e8ea3e748ab.jpg?v=1758883112"},{"product_id":"dominique-cornin-pouilly-fuisse-clos-du-roy-2022","title":"Cornin Pouilly-Fuissé Clos du Roy 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003ePouilly Fuissé is the jewel in the crown of Mâcon wine, and possibly even one of France’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs one of France’s oldest official \u003cem\u003eappellation contrôlées\u003c\/em\u003e, they’ve known for a long time that the terroir here is capable of making some of the country’s greatest and most ageworthy white wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit comes from Romain’s oldest vineyard, \u003cem\u003eClos du Roy\u003c\/em\u003e, planted 75 years ago by his grandfather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRomain tells me it’s a classic Burgundian site:\u003cbr\u003e- A south-facing slope that soaks up the sun, ripening the grapes to full flavour\u003cbr\u003e- Clay\/limestone soils that give the wine real density and complexity \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is fermented naturally and aged in barrel for one year, and then for a further year on its lees in tanks. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a long, dense and juicy Chardonnay, with classic citrus, floral and honeyed flavours that will continue to age and evolve for 10+ years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt took me four years to finally land Romain for WineSpark. A glass of this makes the wait more than worthwhile!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53080340988235,"sku":"DCPFCR22","price":33.08,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0246_8ebf5412-1d66-4c70-8bd7-3e117c733964.jpg?v=1758883099"},{"product_id":"famille-grossot-chablis-2023","title":"Famille Grossot Chablis 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eEve’s vineyards are located around the village of Fleys, 5km east of Chablis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the flatter areas elsewhere in the region, the vines here grow on steeper slopes with poorer, more complex soils. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey’re harder to farm, but the results are worth it - it’s the perfect setting for making Chablis with that trademark texture and minerality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEve is also the only organic producer in Fleys - and you can really taste the quality of the fruit in the vibrancy and energy of her wines. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a blend of several parcels on mixed clay and limestone soils, and ranging from 3 to 35 years of vine age. The result is a balanced, pure and refreshing Chablis, with classic pear and vibrant citrus flavours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, the value here is sensational - it punches way above its regular Chablis AOC status. The intensity and concentration would give any Premier Cru a serious run for its money.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53172336820555,"sku":"GRSCBL23","price":28.15,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0248.jpg?v=1758804334"},{"product_id":"famille-grossot-chablis-premier-cru-fourchaume-2022","title":"Famille Grossot Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eFourchaume Premier Cru is one of the most prestigious spots in Chablis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEve Grossot’s parents planted their vineyards here in the 1980s, on steep slopes facing south and west. The late afternoon sun brings richness and ripeness, producing a full-flavoured, opulent style of Chablis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard also sits on the classic Kimmeridgian soils - a mix of clay and limestone marl, dotted with fossils. The wine is aged on its lees for 18 months in stainless steel rather than oak, to preserve the special fruit aromas and minerality that you only get from this soil. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Chardonnay in its purest and most expressive form - rich and complex on the nose, with layers of honey, herbs and stoniness on the palate. It’s beautifully weighted and intense. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEve is taking her highly-respected family domaine to even greater heights - wines like this show exactly why.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53172372373835,"sku":"GRSFRC22","price":42.09,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0247_1.jpg?v=1760679759"},{"product_id":"clos-leopold-gigondas-2021","title":"Clos Léopold Gigondas 2021","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine is named after winemaker Julien Mazaloubaud’s grandfather, Léopold, who planted a vineyard in a remote corner of the spectacular Dentelles mountains in the 1960s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor decades the fruit was sold to the local cooperative. When Julien started working there himself in 2002, he noticed the amazing fruit coming in from his grandfather’s vineyard - only for it to be lost in huge blends destined for the supermarkets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere’s good reason why the fruit was so good. Clos Léopold is one of Gigondas’ highest vineyards at 350m, and it’s north-facing too. It means there’s a big difference between day- and night-time temperatures, and the vineyards are in the shade from the scorching late afternoon sun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is fruit with a cooler profile - almost more northern Rhône than southern - full of pepper, vibrant fruit and violets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJulien finally left the cooperative and started Clos Léopold in 2017, to do justice to his grandfather’s legacy. Today it’s a tiny, artisanal domaine where everything is done by hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, vinified and aged mainly in concrete tanks, with around 10% aged in small oak barrels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s a more restrained and elegant style of Gigondas, which I love. You get lots of dark fruit, violets and garrigue on the nose, with layers of spice and complexity on the palate, and a long, delicious, peppery finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClos Léopold still flies under the radar, appreciated mainly by local winemakers and insiders in the know. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs a WineSpark member, you can now count yourself among them with exclusive access to this wine!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53172397834571,"sku":"LEOGIG21","price":32.74,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0250_e0d1f256-083d-4c4d-955e-003637fbca32.jpg?v=1757081383"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-boischampt-moulin-a-vent-au-michelon-2023","title":"Domaine de Boischampt Moulin-à-Vent Au Michelon 2023","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine de Boischampt is already recognised as one of the most exciting young producers in Beaujolais - from their base in Juliénas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo when Thibaud told me that he’d secured access to a spectacular, in-demand parcel in nearby Moulin-à-Vent, I couldn’t wait to taste it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSituated just south of Burgundy, Moulin-à-Vent is considered the most structured and powerful of the Beaujolais crus. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd Au Michelon is one of its finest sites, highly sought after all over Beaujolais.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlanted on pink granite soils in 1953, Thibaud tells me these old vines deliver amazing concentration and balance, the perfect raw material for truly great wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd that potential is shown in this bottle. The nose is dark and brooding, more Burgundian than Beaujolais, while the palate is powerful, pure and intense, with great elegance and precision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you Google the same vineyard, you’ll see other producers releasing eye-wateringly expensive wines from the same plot - which only proves the amazing value you’re getting here.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53172535230795,"sku":"BMAVAM23","price":24.97,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0251.jpg?v=1765278838"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-boischampt-julienas-vayolette-2023","title":"Domaine de Boischampt Juliénas Vayolette 2023","description":"This is Thibaud’s top wine, and shows you the amazing potential of the Juliénas sub-region of Beaujolais.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe vines are on north-facing slopes, so it’s more about freshness and florals here, rather than power. Just like a good Pinot Noir from up the road in Burgundy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThibaud’s not sure how old the vines are, but he recently bumped into the guy who planted the vineyard, who’s 89 now and planted them when he was around 15. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis wine confirmed for Thibaud that great Juliénas needs time - the wine spent a year in barrel and then a year in tank in the cellar before bottling. Thankfully he’s done the ageing for you - and I took the last of the 2018 as it’s drinking perfectly now. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo if you’re a fan of Burgundy reds, and want to try something new, this stunner should be on your list.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53339714126155,"sku":"BSCVAY23","price":23.57,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0180_1.jpg?v=1734041397"},{"product_id":"domaine-de-boischampt-julienas-les-4-cerisiers-2023","title":"Domaine de Boischampt Juliénas Les 4 Cerisiers 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eThis is Thibaud’s flagship wine, and a great introduction to the Juliénas sub-region of Beaujolais.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s the perfect balance of the bright red fruit of the Gamay grape, and the earthiness of the ‘terroir’ of Juliénas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the fifth year that Thibaud made this wine, and each year he’s made small improvements to make it better. But the key to Juliénas is time - and this wine has had two years’ ageing before it reaches your glass. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first tasted this at Thibaud’s winery, Domaine de Boischampt, and we enjoyed it later that evening in his kitchen with his wife Antonie and two kids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like a classic southern French red, like Ben’s Minervois, this wine is for you.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53370429276491,"sku":"BJUL4C23","price":23.57,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0181_50e1991a-9e98-4efa-9897-0b36172030cc.jpg?v=1731328627"},{"product_id":"saint-joseph-lieu-dit-sainte-epine-2023","title":"Domaine Habrard Saint-Joseph 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a tiny-production, organic Saint-Joseph that shows you exactly what this famous appellation is all about.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLaurent tells me the vineyard is owned by a guy who used to work for Renault - and when he passed it to his son, it fell into disrepair. Laurent got the opportunity to work with the grapes in 2012, and gradually restored the vineyard to its former greatness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe only makes 1,500 bottles - and gives the vineyard owner a quarter of them as payment for the grapes!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is signature smoky, peppery and savoury Syrah from a master craftsman. Wine expert Matt Walls in Decanter called this ‘\u003cem\u003eeffortlessly lovely\u003c\/em\u003e’ - which is a great way to put it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe’re thrilled to get our hands on a few cases, and can’t wait to hear what you think.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53722275774795,"sku":"SJLDS23","price":36.62,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0281.jpg?v=1773249708"},{"product_id":"domaine-nicolas-hautes-cotes-de-beaune-blanc-2024","title":"Domaine Nicolas Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eBased in the small village of Nolay, in the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, Mylène and Benoit’s family have been making wine here since the French revolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA combination of old vines, organic practices in the vineyard, and expert winemaking gives their wines great character and joy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMylène tells me the \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eHautes-Côtes is the best value appellation in Burgundy. And upon tasting this, you’d find it hard to disagree.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe 50-year old Chardonnay vineyards are situated high up on south-facing slopes - so you get great flavour in the grapes but also freshness from the elevation. The soils are a mix of clay and limestone - which gives the fruit a lovely and subtle complexity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThen in the winery, the wine is aged for 10 months in a mixture of new and old French oak. This gives the wine a gorgeous nutty, oatmeal character. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack when we launched in 2021, Ireland's most influential wine critic, John Wilson, raved about it in The Irish Times, calling it '\u003cem\u003eclassic Burgundy at an amazing price\u003c\/em\u003e'. He went on to include it in his top 12 wines of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was the wine that got us really noticed for the first time, and for that reason it’s extra special to me.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55921386651979,"sku":"NICHCB24","price":24.66,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0282.jpg?v=1773250183"},{"product_id":"domaine-nicolas-santenay-les-charmes-dessous-2024","title":"Domaine Nicolas Santenay Les Charmes Dessous 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSantenay isn’t widely known or appreciated… but talk to any wine expert who knows their stuff and they’ll hold a soft spot for wines from here. It’s the last stop south of Cotes de Beaune and before Cote Chalonnaise, so you get a darker, riper style of Pinot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis wine comes from a vineyard the size of a tennis court called Les Charmes Dessous. The vines are 70 years old, and produce fruit that is concentrated and complex. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThen in the winery things get a little crazy. They use both French and American oak to age the wine - which is total heresy in these parts. But while the French oak gives the wine extra oomph and tannins, the American oak brings out that gorgeous silky strawberry sweetness which I love in good Pinot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55921394745675,"sku":"NICSNT24","price":35.07,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0001_1.jpg?v=1731685701"},{"product_id":"domaine-anne-sophie-dubois-lalchimiste-fleurie-2022","title":"Domaine Anne-Sophie Dubois L'Alchimiste Fleurie 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is our first ever Fleurie, and it’s so worth the wait. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn and raised in Champagne and trained in Volnay, Anne-Sophie eventually realised her heart belonged in Beaujolais. And specifically an 8-hectare vineyard at 400m altitude in the heart of the Fleurie called \u003cem\u003eLes Labourons\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe altitude and west-facing aspect of the vineyard bring freshness, while old vines and the classic pink granite soils of Fleurie add serious concentration and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnne-Sophie’s winemaking is all about finesse - fermentation starts naturally with wild yeasts, the wine is aged partly in concrete (for purity and freshness) and oak (for structure and depth), and there’s minimal fining and filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colour in the glass immediately hits you - this is dark for a Gamay! The nose is so enticing and complex - with aromas of florals, blue fruit and black tea. It's even a little wild, but bear with it! On the palate it’s peppery, fresh and pure, with a long and lifted finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has the seriousness of a good Burgundy, but also the charm and drinkability of a great Beaujolais.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name \u003cem\u003eL’Alchimiste\u003c\/em\u003e comes from Paulo Coelho’s book - which is about following one’s dream and learning life lessons along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo pull out your best wine glass, settle in with this wine, and ponder that!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56018981552459,"sku":"ASDFLR22","price":28.17,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey_0265.jpg?v=1764587191"},{"product_id":"cornin-pouilly-fuisse-premier-cru-les-chevrieres-2022","title":"Cornin Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru Les Chevrières 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003ePouilly Fuissé is the jewel in the crown of Mâcon wine, and possibly even one of France’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs one of France’s oldest official \u003cem\u003eappellation contrôlées\u003c\/em\u003e, they’ve known for a long time that the terroir here is capable of making some of the country’s greatest and most ageworthy white wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit comes from a prized Premier Cru site, \u003cem\u003eLes Chevrières\u003c\/em\u003e, on poor soils which produces tiny, concentrated berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is fermented naturally and aged in large barrels for one year, and then for a further year on its lees in tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a complex, layered and mineral Chardonnay, with beautiful energy and length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Romain’s top wine. After tasting through everything in his cellar on a recent trip, I couldn’t resist adding a small amount of this to round out my order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suggest you do the same! \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56020283687243,"sku":"DCPCHV22","price":37.31,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/WS-HighKey-0267_1.jpg?v=1765371129"},{"product_id":"domaine-nicolas-santenay-premier-cru-grand-clos-rousseau-2024","title":"Domaine Nicolas Santenay Premier Cru Grand Clos Rousseau 2024","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSantenay isn’t widely known or appreciated… it’s the last stop south of Cotes de Beaune and before Cote Chalonnaise, so you get a darker, riper style of Pinot around here.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis wine comes from a tiny, 70 year-old Premier Cru vineyard called Grand Clos Rousseau. It’s in the same area as the Santenay Les Charmes Dessous, but the vineyard is more elevated, giving the wine a bit more finesse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe wine is aged in 35% new French and American oak for 12 months. Using American oak in these parts is total heresy, but it rounds off the tannins and dark fruit in the wine beautifully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WineSpark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56123375714635,"sku":"NIC1ER24","price":46.34,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/0645\/5483\/files\/DomaineNicolasSantenay2021.jpg?v=1716300486"}],"url":"https:\/\/winespark.co.uk\/collections\/french-charmers.oembed","provider":"WineSpark","version":"1.0","type":"link"}