At French Living we are keen to feature an increasing number of wines that are healthier and more respectful of the environment. Here is a quick overview:
Organic wines The purpose of organic is to restore life in the vineyard and to encourage biodiversity. No chemical pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides in the growing process. No artificial products in the wine making process (since 2012)
Biodynamic takes this a stage further. It is based on a series of preparations and remedies designed to stimulate and enrich the living organisms in the soil. Biodynamics is also about finding natural solutions to natural problems; it is holistic and pre-emptive and about discovering a natural balance in the vineyard. Ancestral lunar and solar rythms are taken into account. Natural practices are implemented (eg: quartz crystals spread in the vines to stimulate sun reflection; natural compost preparations to fertilize and encourage depth of roots)
Natural wine is the ultimate stage. It involves making the fewest number of physical interventions during the winemaking process. This means fermenting with the natural yeasts in the vineyard (rather than bought-in yeasts), no temperature control, no added acid, or sugar or tannins or flavouring, no filtering or fining, and adding the bare minimum (or zero) sulphur dioxide (used to prevent oxidation)
Wines
Here are our French Living wines, available all year round. They will be regularly supplemented by 8 special wines, inserted on the last page of the restaurant menu.
Look out for our "Vins du Moment" !
House Wines
Our house wines come from a reputable cooperative in the appellation Vin de Pays d’Oc, and they are made with a combination of grapes that thrive under the sunny southern climate of the Béziers region in Languedoc.
the RED is a mix of Merlot, Grenache and Cinsault grapes,
the WHITE combines Sauvignon, Grenache and Terret,
the ROSÉ is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault
12.5cl 4.50
17.5cl 5.75
50cl 13.50
75cl 18.95
100cl 24.50
Red Wines (more on Vins du Moment list)
HERAULT
Merlot - Domaine de Moulines
Beautifully assembled, with a whisper of garrigue, this Merlot is impeccably balanced, both elegant & pure. round mouth of black fruits, plums & blackberries.
17.5cl 6.10 75cl 24
LANGUEDOC
Pinot Noir - La Boussole
Medium bodied Pinot Noir from around Limoux in Languedoc, ripe strawberry flavours with secondary aromas of menthol.
17.5cl 6.10 75cl 24
CÔTES DU RHÔNE
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan - Terre de Mistral
Very much a natural wine with no filtering or fining. Soft, slightly cloudy purple colour and gentle flavours of blackberry, liquorice, pepper and nutmeg organic/natural
17.5cl 6.25 75cl 25
BORDEAUX - GRAVES
Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon - Chateau Toulouze
80% Merlot 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, beautiful complexity of black cherry & spice, with fine, elegant & tamed tanins (vintage is never too recent)
75cl 31
BOURGOGNE
Pinot Noir - Montanet Thoden
The 1st Burgundy grower to go organic back in 1971. impeccable silky texture, balancing weight & concentration with brightness. Long, graceful finish organic
75cl 47
CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
Grenache, Mourverdre, Syrah - Domaine Mestre
Old-fashioned Ch‚teauneuf. Deep in colour, silky texture & beautifully balanced tannins. Nose of red fruit, kirsch & liquorice. Lengthy peppery finish. A superlative wine! organic
75cl 52
White Wines (more on Vins du Moment list)
PAYS D'OC
Chardonnay - Henri Nordoc
Incredible vin de pays! On chalky soils by the Mediterranean Sea, this Chardonnay gives its best expression. quince, honey & spices combined with hints of citrus fruits.
17.5cl 5.95 75cl 22
TOURAINE
Sauvignon Blanc - Guy Allion
First class Loire Sauvignon, picked at maximum ripeness to fill your palate with gooseberry fool infused with elderflower cordial
17.5cl 6.50 75cl 25.50
TERROIR D’ANIANE
Viognier, Marsanne - Domaine de Gassac
Called the Grand Cru of Languedoc thanks to its soil & micro climate, Mas de Daumas-Gassac produces wines of charm & subtlety. beautifully balanced
17.5cl 6.95 75cl 27
SANCERRE
Sauvignon blanc - Gérard Fiou
Superb Sancerre from a top producer, full flavoured & very smooth Loire Sauvignon, with elegant fruit & persistent finish organic
75cl 45
CHABLIS
Chardonnay - Gérard Tremblay
This unoaked Chardonnay has everything: minerality, acidity, structure, freshness, fruit. Tremblay is able to draw out the typicity of the Chablis appellation. Try it & you’ll be hooked!
75cl 42
Rosé Wine (more on Vins du Moment list)
PROVENCE
Grenache Cinsault Syrah - Capdevielle Ginter
The spirit of Provence, crystalline & limpid. Aromas of bergamot & sweet jasmine as well as exotic & red berry fruits, palate of mango & lychee with peach-stone & citrus
75cl 30
Half Bottles
SANCERRE
Sauvignon Blanc - Henri Bourgeois
All the intensity of the floral and citrussy Sauvignon fruit. High standard! organic
37.5cl 27
LUSSAC SAINT EMILION (RED)
Merlot, Cab-Franc, Malbec - Chateau la Claymore
This bordeaux has a round texture, with intense redcurrant & vanilla flavours
37.5cl 23
Sweet Wines
RIVESALTES
Muscat - Chateau de Jau
15% abv the full spicy & fruity flavours of the Muscat grape 50cl with this Rivesaltes
domain of high repute. organic
8cl 7 50cl 32
JURANÇON MOËLLEUX
Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng - Clos Lapeyre
Medium bodied Pinot Noir from around Limoux in Languedoc, ripe strawberry flavours with secondary aromas of menthol. organic/biodynamic
8cl 6 75cl 39
MONBAZILLAC
Sémillon - Dom. de l’Ancienne Cure
Very much a natural wine with no filtering or fining. Soft, slightly cloudy purple colour and gentle flavours of blackberry, liquorice, pepper and nutmeg organic/biodynamic
8cl 6 37.5cl 21
Champagne & Sparkling Wine
CRÉMANT
Sparkling wine from the Loire region
10cl 6.95 75cl 35
HOUSE CHAMPAGNE
Stylish dry Champagne with biscuity finish. blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier
10cl 8.95 75cl 43
CHAMPAGNE PIERRE GERBAIS
Single vintage blend of Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (25%) & Pinot Blanc Vrai (25%), from the southernmost region of Champagne, near the Chablis area organic
75cl 62
Cocktails & French Specialities
In addition to the usual drinks you would expect from a restaurant, we are proud to offer French cocktails and speciality drinks that will transport you across the Channel !!
French Cocktails
FRENCH SPRITZ
Apérol, Suze, sparkling wine, soda water
8.50
CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
Cognac, Grand Marnier, cane sugar, Angostura bitters, sparkling wine
8.95
CHARTREUS'ITO
Green Chartreuse, Bacardi, cane sugar, lime, mint, soda water
8.95
In a Flute...
FLUTE DE CRÉMANT
Glass of sparkling wine from France
6.95
FLUTE DE CHAMPAGNE
Glass of House Champagne
8.95
KIR CASSIS/MÛRE/PÊCHE
White wine with choice of blackcurrant, blackberry or peach liqueur
4.95
KIR ROYAL CASSIS/MÛRE/PÊCHE
Sparkling wine with choice of blackcurrant, blackberry or peach liqueur
7.50
Apéritifs
APÉRITIF MAISON
Home made fortified wine with almond & vanilla flavour 19%abv
5cl 3.50
CAP CORSE
Spicy dark red Vermouth traditionally produced in Corsica 14%abv
5cl 3.95
PINEAU DES CHARENTES
Apéritif made by mixing wine and Cognac 17%abv
5cl 3.95
SUZE
Bitter aperitif made with gentian,
served on the rocks or with lemonade
5cl 3.95
PASTIS
France’s national aniseed drink, served with ice and water 45%abv
2.5cl 3.95
MUSCAT
full spicy flavours of the Muscat grape with this top Rivesaltes 15%abv
8cl 7
PASTIS WITH CORDIAL
Pastis with Cordial:
Perroquet (mint) Tomate (pomegranate)
Mauresque (almond)
5cl 4.25
JURANÇON MOËLLEUX
sweet Pyrénéean wine, late harvested organic grapes 13%abv
8cl 6
PORTO
Ok, not from France! but having it as an aperitif is very French! 19%abv
8cl 6
Beers
DRAUGHT HEINEKEN
Premium imported draught lager 5% abv
28.5cl 3.20 50cl 5.95
Also available as Panaché (Shandy)
or Monaco (Shandy with grenadine cordial)
HEINEKEN ZERO
“Drink & drive!” Heineken imported from Amsterdam 0%abv
33cl 3.95
PIETRA
Strong organic amber Corsican beer, brewed with selected malts and flavoured with chestnut flour 6%abv
33cl 6.25
BELLEROSE
IPA style bière blonde brewed in Northern France 6.5%abv
33cl 6.26
KRONENBOURG 1664
The most popular French lager needs no introduction! 5%abv
27.5cl 3.95
BUDVAR
The original Budweiser brewed in Czech Republic. 5%abv
50cl 5.95
Cider
CIDRE BRETON TRADITIONNEL
Full flavoured dry cider from Brittany
Bolée 20cl 3.50 Bottle 100cl 12.00
Digestifs
Along with the classics (Whiskies, Tia Maria, Baileys, etc.) we have a few French gems to tempt you !
BAS ARMAGNAC
Sigognac, Bas Armagnac, 10 ans Reserve 40%
2.5cl 5.95
COGNAC GRANDE CHAMPAGNE
Maxime Trijol, Grande Champagne, 1e Cru de Cognac 40%
2.5cl 5.95
RHUM AMBRÉ
Brown Cane Sugar Rum French West Indies - J. Bally 45%
2.5cl 5.95
CALVADOS
Apple brandy - Fine Calvados 43%
2.5cl 4.95
VIEILLE PRUNE D'ALSACE
Aged Plum brandy - Distillerie Gilbert Miclo 43%
2.5cl 5.95
POIRE WILLIAM
Pear brandy - Distillerie Gilbert Miclo 43%
2.5cl 5.80
HIGHLAND PARK
Peaty pure malt from Orkney 12 years 43%
2.5cl 5.95
LIQUEUR CORSE
Corsican fruit liqueur (Fig or chestnut) 25%
2.5cl 3.95
Café Liqueur
We like to think we make it pretty well!
Café Liqueur
Your preferred Liqueur (Whisky, Cointreau, Tia Maria, Cognac...)
Coffee, floating Cream top, with Sugar or without sugar
7.95