• JC and Will's rugby World Cup journey in France 2023

    JC and Will's rugby World Cup journey in France 2023

    Date: 12-09-2023
    JC and Will are visiting France for the next 3 weeks - On their to do list: Rugby and wine! They will be going to a few regions, different vineyards and wine producers, and of course, cheering on Les Bleus all the way! Read More...
  • Organic & Biodynamic Alsace

    Organic & Biodynamic Alsace

    Date: 04-09-2023
    Some of the most exciting wines in the world now come from vineyards that are worked biodynamically, and many of them can be found in Alsace.  Read More...
  • Perfect Apéro Checklist for Beginners

    Perfect Apéro Checklist for Beginners

    Date: 11-07-2023
    Want to host your first French Apéro but don't know where to start? Check out our perfect checklist! Read More...
  • Raclette: Melted Cheese Magic from the Heart of France

    Raclette: Melted Cheese Magic from the Heart of France

    Date: 21-06-2023
    The French like to savor raclette during the cozy winter months when the chilly weather beckons for a comforting meal. Fire up the raclette grill, raise a glass of wine and celebrate your cheesy dreams! Read More...
  • Unlock Absinthe's mysteries

    Unlock Absinthe's mysteries

    Date: 15-06-2023
    Absinthe: Taste the forbidden myth. We love Absinthe. Yet, this herbal drink is one of the world’s most misunderstood spirits.  Read More...
  • The Tasting, French Film Festival movie

    The Tasting, French Film Festival movie

    Date: 25-05-2023
    The French Film Festival and Maison Vauron present “The Tasting” Read More...
  • 7 MORE REASONS TO STAY INDOORS

    7 MORE REASONS TO STAY INDOORS

    Date: 31-01-2023
    Seven carefully curated cocktails combining some of our favourite French spirits and liqueurs. Pick up your ingredients and recipe booklet from our shop and discover your signature drink for 2023. Read More...
  • Tour de France 2022

    Tour de France 2022

    At the moment the Jersey Standings are: Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 15 & 16

    JC is back in France! Day 15 & 16

    Date: 28-06-2022
    Prior to heading towards the Armagnac region, we had a meeting in one of the prettiest properties in the Graves (Bordeaux) region – Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.  As Di has never been here before, we had the full visit before the tasting with Yann ... Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 13 & 14

    JC is back in France! Day 13 & 14

    Date: 24-06-2022
    We were up bright and early Saturday as we had a very long drive in front of us from Ampuis, through St Etienne, my home town (sadly we didn’t have the time to stop and give my two sisters a’ bise‘), over the Massif Central to Bordeaux. What a magnificent drive on a nearly deserted motorway.  Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 12

    JC is back in France! Day 12

    Date: 23-06-2022
    We started the day heading north up the Rhône Valley towards Ampuis (the home of Cote-Rôtie) to visit the family run Domaine Gerin. Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 11

    JC is back in France! Day 11

    Date: 22-06-2022
    Not sure how - but we have 6 tastings today! Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 10

    JC is back in France! Day 10

    Date: 17-06-2022
    As the rain steadily worsened we met with the entire family at Domaine Chantemerle - we are lucky to have secured good volumes of both the 2020 and 2021 vintages which is very welcome news! The wines classic Chablis.  Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 9

    JC is back in France! Day 9

    Date: 15-06-2022
    Five tastings today! - Joblot (Givry) - Jacqueson (Rully) - Ponsot (Rully) - Raveneau (Chablis) - Malandes (Chablis) Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 8

    JC is back in France! Day 8

    Date: 14-06-2022
    As in New Zealand, today (Monday) is a public holiday meaning that we had a quieter day, but we still managed to track down a couple of producers happy to meet with us. Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 6 & 7

    JC is back in France! Day 6 & 7

    Date: 13-06-2022
    Saturday AM we’re off with our friends to visit at Domaine Rolet. Cedric Ducote, in charge of this historical domaine, gave us first a tour of their 14th century cellar located under the town of Arbois – A magical place where barrels and barrels of Vin Jaune are ageing for no less than six years. Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 5

    JC is back in France! Day 5

    Date: 12-06-2022
    A very early start – packing up and driving to the Cote de Nuits for an 8.30am meeting in Morey St Denis before heading for the Jura.  Sebastien at Odoul-Coquard met us and took us down to yet another largely empty cellar to taste his 2021 wines. Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 4

    JC is back in France! Day 4

    Date: 10-06-2022
    Finally the forecasted rain has arrived – it’s still quite warm here so we’re also getting thunder and plenty of lightening. Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 3

    JC is back in France! Day 3

    Date: 09-06-2022
    Cool overcast morning today, the meteo is forecasting rain which the vignerons are all saying the vines need - it’s unusually dry here for this time of year. Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Day 2

    JC is back in France! Day 2

    Date: 07-06-2022
    Day two took us to the northern most Appellation in Burgundy of Marsannay... Read More...
  • JC is back in France! Beaune - Burgundy

    JC is back in France! Beaune - Burgundy

    Date: 03-06-2022
    After a 2 and a half year hiatus I have now been able to return to France. I am lucky that Di is joining me for the next 4 weeks. We are starting in an area very close to my heart - Burgundy! Read More...
  • What is En Primeur?

    What is En Primeur?

    Date: 17-05-2022
    En Primeur is a foreign term to some, but it essentially means ‘wine futures’. This is a practice which is most common in Bordeaux, where where wine is bought while it’s still in the barrel and shipped to its destination when bottled 2-3 years later. Read More...
  • Beaujolais Nouveau 2021

    Beaujolais Nouveau 2021

    Date: 11-11-2021
    What is Beaujolais Nouveau Day? Read More...
  • Boizel Vintage Report

    Boizel Vintage Report

    Date: 27-10-2021
    The vintage in Champagne has just finished and we’ve received a comprehensive vintage report from our friends at Boizel. Read More...
  • Demystifying Cognac and Armagnac

    Demystifying Cognac and Armagnac

    Date: 13-10-2021
    Discover the difference between Cognac and Armagnac, France’s most famous spirits! Read More...