DOMAINE CLAUDE LAFOND - Claude et Nathalie Lafond

Despite being a relatively new appellation, Reuilly has been producing wines since the 7th Century. It lives in the shadow of its famous neighbour, Sancerre; however the producers have made huge investments in state-of-the-art wineries. Claude Lafond works alongside his daughter, Nathalie and have quickly established themselves as one of the best producers of the region. Their cuvée La Raie is typical of the mixed terroir of Kidmerigian clay and sand. Having spent up to 3 months on its lees, the wine is bursting with grapefruit and lime flavours and balanced by a little bit of richness. Château Gaillard is their top cuvée made from grapes picked from a tiny parcel of just over 1ha. The wine matures on its lees for at least 6 months with regular batonnage (stirring of the wine) and the result is absolutely stunning. The usual freshness of the Sauvignon is complimented by ripe yellow fruit characters with hints of honey and almonds

DOMAINE HENRI DELAGRANGE - Didier Delagrange

Didier Delagrange produces fabulous wines which are very well balanced and express their true identity. This high level of quality is achieved by continuous work in the vineyard, involving methods like “vendange en vert” (green harvest) which consists of removing the upper lobe of each bunch when the fruit has set. Not only does this reduce the yields and increase concentration but it also helps with the health of the fruit. With a more open bunch, the fruit is less likely to rot and gains more sun exposure. Didier is constantly looking for purity in both his white and red wines. His Hautes Côtes de Beaune is a straightforward expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties. His flagship is undeniably his Volnay Vieilles Vignes: very smooth and velvety with really ripe morello cherry characters, very slightly dusty tannins and a long complex finish.

DOMAINE DUSEIGNEUR - Biodynamic

Domaine Duseigneur is located on the West bank of the Rhône Valley, near the picturesque village of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, and in view of the slopes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 1992, the unique legacy put in place by Jean Duseigneur 40 years ago was handed to the care of his two sons, Bernard and Frederic. In 2004, Bernard and Frédéric realised that Bio-dynamie was the best way to create wines that have the most natural reflection of their soil and climate so converted fully to Bio-dynamic farming becoming a member of Biodyvin, The International Bio-dynamic Vinegrowing Syndicate. Also in 2004, Bernard and Frédéric met with Philippe Faure-Brac, who was awarded the World’s Best Sommelier in 1992. After three years of intensive collaboration, Philippe, Frédéric and Bernard have decided to put together their experience and their passion for outstanding wines by entering into this new venture. The Domaine de Mayran has a soft and harmonious palate with garrigue herbs and black pepper characters and a long velvet finish, whilst the Domaine Duseigneur is more complex with a richer and fuller palate of cooked blackberries, big but round spicy tannins with a very long complex and mineral finish.

CHÂTEAU HAUT-GLÉON – Léon-Nicolas Duhamel

The history of Gléon estate goes as far back the Roman times and the estate was officially mentioned in the 12th Century. The Duhamel family took over the estate in 1991 and with investment and extensive work, restored the property to its former glory. Extensive work and investment has also been made in the vineyards and the winery. The vines benefit from the excellent terroir of Durban area made from poor guarrigue soil. The Durban terroir is about to become a Cru. The white is a blend of Chardonnay, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Muscat. It is very aromatic but shows concentration due to the low yields (25 hectolitres/hectare). The Cuvée Claude Viallat is the flagship of the estate and is responsible for the great reputation as one of the top Corbières wines. Made with Syrah and Grenache, the wine is pure and shows concentrated characters of blackberry jam, white pepper, black forest gateau and hints of liquorice. The tannins are intense but very soft and ripe and the finish is very long. As well as matching perfectly a cassoulet, this wine will match perfectly a roasted leg of lamb with rosemary.

BODEGAS ALTANZA - Ervigio Adan

As the brain child of Cecilio Hernaiz Ansotegui, Bodegas Altanza produces modern, fruit driven wines thanks to its 1999 state-of-the-art winery. There is no mistake as to where the wines come from, the Rioja heritage is dominant but a modern approach enables wines to be enjoyed at a young age. The rosé is vibrant with raspberry and spicy notes. The Capitoso is a very approachable semi-crianza made from 100% Tempranillo. The Crianza has a little more structure thanks to its careful ageing in Allier and American oak for 12 months.

The Reserva shows complexity, it is full bodied with blackberry, liquorice and tobacco characters. The Gran Reserva is a big wine with a big structure, ripe tannins and full of secondary aromas.

VIÑA LEYDA

The Leyda Valley is just 14 kilometres from the Pacific, west of Santiago and its closeness to the sea ensures wonderfully cooling summer breezes. Until recently the landscape was dominated by wheat and barley, but in 1997 the Fernandez family, who recognized the potential of the area for growing grapes, established Viña Leyda. Establishing an eight kilometre pipeline from the Maipo River for irrigation, crucial research suggested that the cool but sunny climate would suit Pinot, Sauvignon and Chardonnay and planting took place, with the first harvest in 2001. An up-to-the-minute winery incorporating pneumatic press, gentle pump systems and a diverse range of stainless steel and high quality barrels was completed in 2000. Vina Leyda wines are very aromatic and very fresh for New World wines. This adds elegant complexity to the natural fruit driven nature of the wines.

LOWE ESTATE - Jane Wilson

Jane, originally from Oban in Scotland and who graduated as a Vet, moved to Australia to follow her husband David Lowe and become a wine maker. Their winery is based in Mudgee and specialises in small batch wine making using innovative techniques both for themselves and contract clients. The winery has advanced the approach to quality wine production by planting dryland vineyard to produce lower yields of extremely high quality grapes.

CANNONBERG – FAIRTRADE

CANNONBERG is a new range of certified FAIRTRADE wines blended and conceived by the Bergsig Wine Estate in South Africa’s Western Cape, and available exclusively to l’Art du Vin. Situated between the towering Drakenstein and Hex River mountains of the Western Cape, the Bergsig Wine Estate is currently run by De Wet Lategan. Bergsig was established in 1843 and as a 6th generation winemaker De Wet continues to build upon his family’s winemaking expertise. The Lategan family are committed to FAIRTRADE principles and enhancing the local economy. The workforce is sourced directly from the local community and employees benefit from shared company profits. This approach to the local community has resulted in Bergsig Wine Estate receiving several accreditations for good employee working conditions.

In addition to their commitment to FAIRTRADE, Bergsig has signed up to the biodiversity programme in the Western Cape. By limiting their new plantings, and their yields they will contribute to the preservation and development of the local flora and fauna.