2020 Now finished: GAMAY, Domaine Moulin Camus. Loire Valley

Vines grown on schist soils in the Muscadet region (near Nantes in north west France). Muscadet is having a serious renaissance and it’s even more welcome to find still reds of quality from this cool and windy area.

100% Gamay; macerated (at an unusually hight 25C) for 3 days without sulphur, before fermentation with natural yeasts in tank, gentle settling and early bottling.

François Boulanger heads-up a family domaine that controls some 45-hectares, 25 of which are classified as Muscadet. The balance covers a range of varietal IGP and Vin de France wines.

Beaujolais-style but without the rather simple, bubble-gum flavours that tend to dominate those wines at this price level. Fresh and juicy, this is best drunk cool with lunch, ideally outside. It’s brilliant value.