The first recommended wine of the New Year is a crystal clear lemon-yellow colour with a refreshing apple and pear bouquet and a palate of honeyed fresh fruit.

The alcohol at 13 per cent is balanced by fresh acidity and good depth of fruit with an almond after-taste, should go well with white meat and most seafood dishes.

The domaine is a small family-owned vineyard set high in the foothills of the Limoux region of the Languedoc.

The advantage of the area is the long cool growing season grapes which produce grapes of natural quality -they do use organic farming. This is a chardonnay in the French tradition unoaked, dry, without an over-emphasis on fruit, a wine made to go with food.

This is the owner's inaugural year - I'm looking forward to future vintages. This bottle came from Majestic priced at £5.99.