As autumn unfolds and the days grow shorter, it’s an ideal time to explore the rich flavours of French wines. With the festive season approaching, these six exceptional selections offer a delightful range of tastes that will enhance your autumn meals and holiday gatherings. Each wine brings its own unique character, making them perfect companions for everything from casual dinners to elegant celebrations.
1. La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc 2023
RRP: £9.99
Kick off your autumn gatherings with La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc, a delightful blend showcasing the best of French Sauvignon. This wine is crisp and refreshing, bursting with flavours of citrus, apple, and gooseberry.
Tasting Notes: With its elegant label inspired by a muse of the French Impressionists, this wine features classic old-world characteristics. The freshness is achieved through early morning harvesting, while a month of lees ageing in vats provides a satisfying mouthfeel.
Food Pairings: Perfect as an aperitif or paired with a seafood platter, it also complements creamy chicken dishes beautifully—ideal for those cosy autumn dinners.
2. Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Pays d’Oc, Viognier 2023
RRP: £11.99
This 100% Viognier from the Languedoc region showcases the potential of this aromatic grape variety in southern France. Crafted from grapes grown on hillsides in the Hérault and the Aude Valley, this wine benefits from the unique terroir influenced by the Cévennes and Pyrenees mountain ranges.
Tasting Notes: Reminiscent of Condrieu, this decadent and fragrant wine bursts with notes of peach, apricot, and almond, complemented by ginger spice and orange blossom. The palate is creamy and textured thanks to lees ageing, while early morning grape picking again ensures a balancing freshness.
Food Pairings: This versatile wine pairs beautifully with roast chicken and all the trimmings, making it an excellent choice for festive meals. Its aromatic profile however also complements spicy dishes, such as chilli prawns with creamy yoghurt.
Winemaker’s Touch: Laurent Delaunay’s expertise in harnessing the sun-drenched vineyards of the Languedoc shines through in this wine. The concentrated flavours achieved in the grapes, combined with barrel ageing on lees, result in a moreish, creamy texture that punches well above its price point. It offers impressive Condrieu-like flavours at exceptional value, making it a must-try for lovers of rich, fragrant white wines as the festive season approaches.
3. Abbotts & Delaunay Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon Chardonnay Village 2023 (Organic)
RRP: £21.99
This organic Chardonnay showcases the estate’s ideal terroir for producing top-quality grapes. Handpicked from vineyards, this wine glints pale gold in the glass.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of peach, lemon, fresh banana, and lemon tart lead to discreet woody notes with hazelnut and dried banana flavours on the palate—an elegant representation of Languedoc’s potential for high-end Chardonnay.
Food Pairings: This versatile wine pairs excellently with salmon steak and hollandaise sauce or creamy pasta dishes—perfect for those festive dinners where seafood takes centre stage.
4. Les Jamelles Viognier, Pays d’Oc 2022
RRP: £9.50
Les Jamelles Viognier embodies the spirit of Languedoc with its rich aromas and vibrant character. Made from grapes grown on various terroirs, this wine undergoes malolactic fermentation (where tart malic acid is converted to softer lactic acid by bacteria, resulting in a smoother mouthfeel and often adding creamy or buttery flavours) for added complexity.
Tasting Notes: With a gorgeous pale gold colour, it offers rich aromas of apricot, white peach, and acacia blossom. The palate reveals remarkable freshness and exceptional balance between richness and acidity, finishing with a touch of nougat.
Food Pairings: This Viognier pairs beautifully with autumnal dishes such as Thai green curry or an apricot tart—perfect for festive gatherings or holiday dessert tables.
5. Les Jamelles Syrah 2022
RRP: £9.25
Syrah thrives in the Languedoc region, and Les Jamelles Syrah is a rich, full-bodied wine crafted by talented winemaker Catherine Delaunay. A portion of the cuvée is oak-aged, adding a touch of spice that complements Syrah beautifully.
Tasting Notes: This wine boasts deep colour with wild fruit aromas (raspberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant) mingling with floral notes (violet) and flavours of spices, vanilla, and cinnamon. The finish is long and silky with hints of mint and liquorice.
Food Pairings: Perfect for holiday parties with Spanish tapas or enjoyed alongside roasted meats—ideal for those festive feasts that bring friends and family together.
6. Abbotts & Delaunay Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon Pinot Noir Village 2020 (Organic)
RRP: £21.99
This exceptional organic Pinot Noir blends grapes from top vineyards in Languedoc while embracing Burgundian winemaking techniques. Cultivated at higher altitudes, it benefits from cooler night temperatures after warm days.
Tasting Notes: With a beautiful cherry colour in the glass, its nose evokes summer gardens with red berry notes mingling with peony and ginger warmth. The palate is fresh yet round, lifted by liquorice and white pepper.
Food Pairings: Ideal for festive fine dining or sipping at drinks parties alongside antipasti platters or roast beef—making it a fantastic choice for holiday celebrations.
These six fabulous French wines will enhance your dining experiences this autumn and throughout the Christmas season. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or enjoying intimate dinners at home, these selections are sure to impress!
