La Madone, Côtes du Forez, Loire, France, 2020

The Côtes du Forez is a little-known area of the Loire, and is home to only a small number of independent growers. This delicious alternative to Beaujolais comes from Gamay vines grown on ancient volcanic rock, soils more similar to those found in the Auvergne than in Beaujolais. Purple in the glass, it’s bursting with juicy summer pudding fruit, and unoaked. Vibrant but rustic cherry flavours, with a mineral edge from the ancient volcanic soils.