Regard d'Artiste Orange Vin de France 2025

The colour alone — that hallmark orange, skin-contact hue — gives you a clue this isn't simply a refreshing glugger. And in its clear glass bottle, Regard d'Artiste, from the Pays de l'Hérault, is upfront in telling you what it's about. Generously textured and structured with plenty of weight, there's a stone-fruit richness from Grenache Blanc, while Viognier adds ripe apricots and soft spice, and Muscat, the final element, gives it a fragrant, floral lift. It's the extra time it spends on its skins after pressing that adds the extra character — it doesn't spend any time in barrel — and the result is nicely dry with a gentle tannic grip, which serves to emphasise the complexity and nuance to be found within.

A natural with aged cheeses, Roquefort or Époisses - or with something like chicken in morel sauce watch it rise to the occasion.