For the last several weeks I have been much more in Beaujolais mode than Burgundy, prospecting for suppliers to add to the range to take advantage both of the brilliance of 2009 in the region, and also what I perceive to be a renewed interest in the region from trade, press and consumers alike. Thank goodness, it is about time!

I have done several tastings of a line-up of 2009s and it has been fascinating to watch the unconvinced dropping their blinkers and reassessing their pre-judgements as they work down the line.

One of the stars has been Château Grange Cochard a name hitherto unknown in the UK, which is where the new proprietors hail from – near St Albans, in fact. It could be a classic riches to rags story as many a successful business man has thrown away years worth of hard earned money by investing in vineyards – but the first vintage (three different cuvées of Morgon) from James and Sarah Wilding (in the picture together, above) looks absolutely stunning. Can’t wait to ship them!