Bordeaux is the largest fine-wine producing region on the planet and produces around 700m bottles of wine from its 120,000 hectares, says Leslie Williams.

JUST a few days before Christmas and I hope you have your wines chosen. If not don’t fret, most wine shops and supermarkets have frozen their prices until Christmas before the €1 excise duty is added.

WE HAD a lovely invitation to spend a few days in the Bordeaux area with some French friends whose family have been making wine in the Pessac-Leognan, St Emilion, Margaux and Entre-deux-mers area since 1880.