August Mini-Bar

Mark Cronshaw at The Wine Company of Colchester has helped me assemble half a dozen luscious wines. They are pricier than our normal range, but by golly they’re good, and generously discounted. You can buy by the case of six, or get a sampler with one of each wine. You will not be remotely -disappointed.

First is a Champagne from a small grower, Michel Guilleminot (1). It’s non-vintage but tastes to me fuller and richer than most of the famous brands. Unsurprising, since it’s a blanc de noirs, made from the insides of Pinot Noir. French people tend not to buy the grandes marques that fill our shop shelves; they prefer to find their own vigneron, and when you try this you’ll see why. Reduced by £3 a bottle to £21.99, less than most well-advertised names.

Another small family estate gives us Jean-Paul Balland’s delectable Sancerre 2012 (2), proof of how well the French are meeting the challenge from New Zealand.