11/03/2026
Today I visited the beautiful Cru village of Cairanne, one of the jewels of the Southern Rhône.
Over lunch I had a fascinating conversation with Dutch Provençalist de Jongh, discussing the history, culture, and wines of this remarkable region.
The highlight of the day was an exclusive private visit to Domaine Boutinot. The story behind the domaine is unique: many years ago, Michel Boutinot started a restaurant in Manchester and wanted to ensure a steady supply of authentic, high-quality terroir wines for his guests. That vision eventually grew into Boutinot becoming a respected wine producer in its own right.
Winemaker Nicholas welcomed us for a truly special tasting — not only the current wines, but also several new vintages straight from the barrel. Tasting wines at this stage gives an incredible insight into their future character and the craftsmanship behind them.
What an experience.
