Journalist Neil Sowerby, from the Manchester Evening News, told us about the "delights of French wines" in his recent article. Along with wines from Touraine or Jurançon, he tasted Clos La Coutale he declared the winner:

"Easily the star of the tasting was the most expensive bottle. Clos la Coutale Cahors (£8.50) is a smooth, modern version of that south-west region's legendary `black wine'. Since the 13th century growers there have traditionally produced an inky red, high in alcohol and tannins, primarily from the harsh auxerrois grape (better known as Malbec, currently triumphing in Argentina), with merlot and tannat adding structure and fruit respectively. Indeed, Clos La Coutale reminds me of those Argentine Malbecs with its jammy black fruit and of liquorice scents and earthy velvety texture. Very attractive."