Own Label French Classics

An appealing, early-drinking claret from member favourite producer, Chateau Beaumont. 2021 was a change in pace for Bordeaux following a number of big, powerful vintages, and has produced wines of great aromatic complexity, moderate weight and refreshing red-fruited palates. Now ready to drink this has aromas and flavours of redcurrants, strawberries and light herbaceous notes that'll be best enjoyed with food.

A fine, dry white wine of great delicacy from the Mâconnais in southern Burgundy, the warmest part of the region. The wine is ripe and round, with flavours of toasted hazelnut, apple and stone fruit, a hint of citrus and a lovely streak of minerality. The quality of the wine reflects the deep involvement in its selection by successive buyers and the skill of our ‘man on the ground`, Jean-Marc Darbon, who excels in sourcing the right blending options for us to work with. The zander (sandre in French) thrives in the rivers of Burgundy and is shown on this wine`s new label. It has a fine flavour because its carnivorous and so is much superior to that of weed-eating fish. It`s as good as wild brown trout to eat and appears frequently on menus in Burgundian restaurants. Don`t hesitate to try it.

Bright, fresh and mineral, unoaked Chablis made for us by Jean-Marc Brocard, and kept on its yeast lees in tank to fill out the mid-palate.

Ripe, fruity grenache-syrah blend from an outstanding producer in Vinsobres. Expect brambles and dark cherry and plums with hints of liquorice and clove spice. Juicy core and well handled-tannins.

This grenache and syrah blend comes from vines grown at over 400m and takes full advantage of cooling Alpine breezes so that the wines always marry generosity of fruit with freshness. Expect cherries and plums combined with black pepper and liquorice spice.

This friendly and fresh-tasting claret is one of The Wine Society`s most consistently popular wines. Supplied for over a quarter of a century by family-owned Maison Sichel, the bespoke blend varies from vintage to vintage, but merlot takes the lead role, and the wine is made without any oak to avoid masking its bright, red and black fruit flavours. This is made to be drunk young, on its own or with a wide variety of dishes. The label for this perennial favourite shows three muses that can also be seen on the Grand Theatre opera house in Bordeaux itself.