Alain Gras is undoubtedly the reference point for Saint Romain.

This extremely steep village (we didn't realise quite how steep until we took our Fiat 500 hire car there recently and very nearly didn't make it!) was considered part of the Hautes Côtes de Beaune until 1947 and is notable for its extremely high proportions of limestone. Set back from the main Cote and at an even higher elevation, these vineyards once struggled to reach full physiological maturity. However, with the changing climate, Saint Romain successfully produces wines with minerality, elegance and freshness, even in the extremely warm vintages.

Alain has been working in Saint Romain since 1979 and now has 12 hectares with 8 hectares being planted with Chardonnay and 4 hectares to Pinot Noir. Whilst he separates the vineyards into 42 separate parcels, he prefers to blend them so as to produce wines with complexity and consistency. Farming is sustainable and once in the cellar, both the whites and the reds spend one year in oak, of which 15-20% is new.

Currently there are 26 restaurants in France with 3 Michelin stars and Alain’s wines are listed in 21 of them; these are very smart, gastronomic wines and extremely reasonably priced for the quality they offer.