Made from the local Zibbibo grape (better known as Muscat of Alexandria), this fortified dessert wine is given a bit of added richness and depth by the addition of raisined grape skins to the vat. The result is a wine with an intriguing blend of sweet tropical fruit and more caramelised raisin and marmalade notes. Delicious with autumn fruit puddings, cakes and as a digestif.

A fabulous wine from an exceptional Sauternes estate, Chateau Bastor Lamontagne. Luscious and sweet, yet with a lively acidity that gives it freshness and vibrancy.

The grapes are destemmed on arrival at the cellar and put directly into the pneumatic press whereby the fresh harvest is then pressed with great care. The fermentation then takes place with strict temperature control and the operation of mutage can begin, which is the addition of alcohol to the must used to halt fermentation to keep the desired sweetness. A long aging in an oxidative medium (in 225 litre oak barrels) for several years has allowed the development of the aromatic characteristics of this exceptional wine.

This Rivesaltes is a blend of 65% Grenache Blanc, 30% Macabeu and 5% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains producing a fortified wine not too dissimilar to that of tawny port or Madeira, both in wine style and wine law. All Rivesaltes wine must be aged for a minimum period of 16 months prior to release. This Hors d’Age (‘Very old’ in English) has plenty of characteristics associated with finely aged fortified wine: dried fruit such as raisins, prunes and apricots, toffee and caramel, cream, toasted nuts, sweet spice such as cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. This is a deliciously strong sweet wine from top producer Chateau Lauriga and is a superb example of quality French fortified wine.

The "Le Remparts de Bastor" is a dessert wines made from young Semillon, Muscadet and Sauvignon vines from the Chateau Bastor Lamontagne estate. The bouquet has perfumes of sweet spices, honey and orange blossom and the taste is rich and balanced, persistent and fresh. It's a great value Sauternes.

A delightful sweet, but not overly sweet, Chenin from this small Loire Valley appellation. At 20 years old it is still in great condition, with some lovely toasty, caramelised orange peel flavours and even a slightly nutty note in the background. It has a generous texture, but a good seam of acidity keeps it fresh. 

Pure and powerful, the nose has mandarin peel and floral notes, while the palate is luscious with bright fruit balanced by natural acidity. Succulent fruit sweetness wraps around the crisp acid backbone leaving a long, exceptionally generous finish – the perfect way to finish a meal!

Wine Advocate-Parker :
Medium lemon-gold colored, the 2006 d'Yquem is a little reticent at this stage, slowly revealing notes of pineapple pastry, dried apple slices, orange preserves and spice cake plus nuances of crème brûlée, preserved ginger, nutmeg and baking bread. The palate offers mouth-coating tropical fruit and baking spice layers with a seductive oiliness to the texture and loads of citrus sparks, finishing with bold freshness and amazing length. Allow it just a couple more years in bottle to get over this slightly muted hump, then drink it for the next 25+ years. For number crunchers: 13.8% alcohol, 122 grams per liter residual sugar, and total acidity is 4.2 grams per liter H2SO4.

Ripe, tropical fruit abounds on the nose but the wine does not become dull and uninteresting due to marvelous acidity and freshness on the palate. Serve well chilled at 8-10 degrees Centigrade.

The sweet muscats of southern france are some of the fruitiest and freshest dessert wines available. Fortification ensures that the wine retains a vibrant grapey character, and alongside this are floral notes and a hint of lychee. Delicious with fresh fruit desserts.

A great value Sauternes from the team behind the more famous Chateau d'Arche. It's rich and honeyed, with a great concentration of flavour.