Taste of the trip

White:

White:

MaconPeronne, Domaine de la Condemine, 1997 (Wines Direct, £8.75 if you buy a case - which may be mixed). I didn't visit this domaine, but the super-ripe, almost honeyed fruit character of the wine - the result of harvesting as late as possible - comes close to the style of the best Macons tasted. Great roundness, great smoothness, great price.

Chablis, Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, 1997 (Oddbins, £9.29). The wine that has replaced Brocard's Jurassique on Oddbins shelves - and if you like your Chablis steely as a knife and bracing, this is one for you. Better still is Brocard's Kimmeridgien: stockist details soon . . .

Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaumes, Domaine Laroche, 1996 (Cheers-Gibneys Malahide, DeVine Wine Shop Castleknock, Bennetts Howth, Redmonds Ranelagh, Galvins Cork, usually about £20). A really subtle, elegant Chablis in the classic mould, with quite ripe fruit, that stony character that's so typical and terrific freshness.

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Red:

Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavieres, 1994 (Superquinn, £9.29). Tasty red Burgundy at an amazing price. See Bottle of the Week.

Aloxe-Corton, Domaine Latour, 1996 (Nolans Clontarf, Lord Mayors Swords, Jus de Vine Portmarnock, Mitchells Kildare St & Glasthule, Redmonds Ranelagh, McCabes Merrion, O'Donovans Cork and other outlets, usually £18.49-£18.99). Soft and enticing on the nose, good fruit with masses of acidity and grip on the palate. . . like so many 1996s, this is a keeper: a wine for the strongwilled.

Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets, Ancienne Cuvee Carnot, Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils, 1994 (McCabes Merrion, Redmonds Ranelagh, Cheers-Gibneys Malahide, Mitchells Kildare St & Glasthule, Findlaters Harcourt St, Vineyard Galway, McCambridges Galway, O'Donovans Cork and other outlets, usually £21£22). 1994 wasn't a particularly good year, but this is still a beautifully perfumed, immediately seductive wine - rich and fleshy with a long, firm finish.