These French reds are on offer at a Shropshire supermarket

French wines are renowned the world over. The nation’s  master vintners have a reputation for producing some of the finest vintages in the world. It is the world’s biggest wine producer, making around eight billion bottles a year, and has the second-largest vineyard area, behind Spain. It’s exports make up more than a third of the world’s market share. Which is almost double the amount made by second-placed Italy.

Two key concepts set French wines apart. They are ranked according to their ‘terroir’, which links the wine to a specific region, and the Appellation d’Origine Controlee System, which closely defines grape varieties and winemaking practices.

Shropshire supermarket Waitrose has an autumn promotion for French red wines, with plenty of delicious varieties available.

Chateau Maris 2007

Chateau Maris Vieilles Vignes 2007 originates in the south of France and is available at £8.99, a discount of £3 on its regular price.  ]

It is made by wine maker Robert Eden, who is passionate about the environment and practises biodynamic viticulture in his La Livinière vineyards.

The resultant vintage, made from Syrah vines, is smooth yet powerful with lovely dark fruit flavours and hints of spice.

Dourthe Saint Emilion

Dourthe Barrel Select 2007 Saint-Emilion Bordeaux is another stunning wine that has been reduced in price, now available at £9.99 from £7.99.

The rich Sain-Emilion produced by Dourthe wowed judges in scooping the prestigious Best French Wine Producer Award at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2007.  It has sumptuous notes of rich fruit-cake and jam that combine with a lovely, supple, full-bodied palate to make a delicious and excellent example of Saint-Emilion.

It’s perfect to pair with red meats, stews or roasts and is made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a medium bodied wine and also won an award from Decanter magazine.

Domaine du Joncier

The tiny village of Lirac is responsible for Domaine du Joncier 2007, on offer at £7.49 from £9.99.

It’s a big, intense and gusty red from Domaine du Joncier, a hidden gem of a property from an up and coming part of the Rhone Valley.

The Domaine is run by Marine Roussell and the wine is dense and beefy, with a good deal of brooding rich fruit. It’s a full bodied, multiple award winner, made from grenache, syrah and mourvedre grapes.

Blason de Bourgogne 2006/07 Hautes Cotes de Nuits

A great value and classic burgundgy with a lovely earth character is Blason de Bourgogne 2006/07 Hautes Cotes de Nuits, which is on offer at £7.99 from £9.99.

It’s a delicious pinot noir from the renowned Hautes Cotes de Nuits region in the northern part of the Cote d’Or interior.

It is medium bodied and fresh with supple red fruit flavours, soft tannins and a whisper of oak and is a perfect special occasion drink. It’s our recommended tipple, offering great value and taste.

Chateau de Chenas 2007 Moulin-a-Vent

Finally, Chateau de Chenas 2007 Moulin-a-Vent, is a delicious Beaujolais on offer at £7.99 from £10.99.

It is a rich and savoury vintage with fine, juicy berry fruit flavours and a good structure. Moulin-a-Vent is known for its rich savouriness and ability to age and is a great partner to cold meats and cheeses. It’s made from Gamay grapes and is medium bodied.