So many people pass through this giant wine region (the Languedoc) and never bother to stop. The approach here is to introduce a small region of the Languedoc and to highlight a number of wine domaines that are achieving great results in this warm southern wineland. Whatever your taste, be it light Rose wines or heavier Reds, this small triangle (anchored by the beautiful village of Pezenas) has them all. Where to go and what to expect is discussed. This podcast includes an interview with Bruno Lafon (of La Famille Lafon) who makes his wine in Magalas but sources his grapes his grapes from this region as well as further afield. He sets out his winemaking approach as well as his feelings about Cellar Door sales to the general public.

This pretty village, in the North of Burgundy, and its famous wines are discussed. The batting order of Petit Chablis, Chablis (village wine), Premier Cru to Grand Cru Chablis is explained: equating these wine levels to the vineyards their grapes are grown in and on to the relative quality (and price) of the ensuing wines. It may be (just) Chardonnay to you but when you taste it you realise what a unique wine it is, and it's revealed just why.

A review of the wines of the Beaujolais, with an explanation of why many people often don't consider the wines of this beautiful wine region. There follows a series of suggestions for visiting some of the ten Cru Beaujolais villages, in the best region of Beaujolais. This takes in Fleurie, Chiroubles and Chenas and introduces the places to visit in those Crus and the wines to sample.

Take a copy of the Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book: a yearly wine guide filled with loads of information on wines of the World. Especially strong on France: indespensible.

Fleurie Maison du Cru: https://fleurie-vin.com/

Chiroubles, Maison du Cru: https://chiroubles-lecru.com/maison-du-cru-chiroubles/

Cave de Chateau du Chenas: https://www.cavedechenas.com/

Domaine Thillardon; one of the pacesetters in Chenas (and beyond): https://domainethillardon.com/

Wines of Beaujolais, especially Domaine Gardot: https://www.vins-du-beaujolais.com/boutique/domaine-gardot-4/

Dependable and good value restaurant in Belleville, Le Buffet de Gare: https://www.lebuffetdelagare-restaurant.com/

There are many places to stay in the Cru Beaujolais region, often with winemakers.

An introduction to the The Wine Stopper series of podcasts, preparing you for a wonderful journey through France. This episode then gives recommendations for Chateaux, Wineries and Domaines to visit in Sancerre and its satellite regions of the Loire: Sauvignon Blanc country. The emphasis is on places - Domaines, Wineries, Chateaux, that produce (and sell) high quality wines, that are easy to visit in order to taste and purchase wine.

Take Hugh Johnson's Wine Guide with you: A yearly wine guide published by Mitchell Beazley that contains a mountain of information in a very small book.

When in Chavignol where to buy their wonderful Goats cheese: https://www.lafermedeschapotons.com/

From the UK and want to buy Crottin de Chavignol: https://mons-cheese.co.uk/pages/crottin-chavignol

Visit Domaine Henri Bourgeois and buy Sancerre, Pouilly Fume etc., etc. and even wine from New Zealand: https://famillebourgeois-sancerre.com/en/home-domaine-famille-bourgeois/

Visit Alphonse Mellot: http://mellot.com/vins/vins.php?LangueSite=en

Need high quality porcelain, then visit Pillivuyt Factory Shop in Mehun-sur-Yevre: https://www.pillivuyt.fr/en

Purchasing Quincy and Reuilly wines? Then visit Villa Quincy: https://lavillaquincy.wixsite.com/villaquincy/en

Two birds with one stone, Domaines Mardon (AOP Quincy) and Tabordet (Reuilly): https://domaine-mardon.com/

French Road Atlas: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Traveller-Atlas-France-2024-Flexibound/