Rouge aux Lèvres, Julie et Toby Bainbridge 2022

Rouge aux Lèvres – 'lipstick' in French – is Julie and Toby Bainbridge's take on a richer, more structured Loire red. Made from Cabernet Franc, the grape that defines the region's best reds, this is a wine with depth and character that goes beyond their lighter, easy-drinking styles.

Cabernet Franc from the Loire is all about elegance and freshness rather than power. You get red berries, violets, a touch of graphite, and that characteristic herbal note that makes the grape so distinctive. There's structure here – fine tannins and bright acidity – but nothing feels heavy or overdone. It's the kind of wine that works beautifully with food or on its own.

Toby Bainbridge recommends pairing this with a bar of chocolate, which might sound unusual but makes perfect sense once you try it. The wine's fruit and subtle earthiness work surprisingly well with dark chocolate, creating one of those simple but memorable combinations.

The Bainbridges farm organically and keep things minimal in the cellar, letting the fruit express itself without interference. Rouge aux Lèvres shows what Loire Cabernet Franc can be when it's handled with care – elegant, food-friendly, and genuinely interesting.

Serve it at room temperature or slightly cool, and give it some air if you have time. And don't forget that chocolate.