And now for a wine from…. Tunisia?

At UKWOL we always welcome and applaud merchants who try something new or interesting and manage to break away from the often bland brands which bombard many shelves. So full marks to LeBonVin, which despite their French sounding name are offering wines from Tunisia and the Lebanon. Its easy to forget that many Mediterranean countries have been growing vines ad making wines for centuries - and whilst in earlier times they may have been made solely for local consumption (or for the invading troops) - good winemakers can now produce good wines in such potentially hot, dry climates by employing modern winemaking techniques.

Lebabon has been recognised for some time, the best known being Serge Hochar’s Chateau Musar in the Bekaa Valley - although probably known best for the feat of producing a wine in the midst of the bullets and mortars which can be a feature of that corner of the Middle East. However, the wines do get decent reviews.

But Tunisia is a completely unknown quantity for most of us. Although many winemakers in the south of France have their origins in north Africa and brought their winemaking skills and traditions with them.

LeBon Vin offers both red (Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot blend) from Chateau Elissa in theMornag Valley and a Chardonnay from Domaine Clipea.

Well situated on the most fertile lands, the quality of the Tunisian wines is rich in alcohol content, without excess of acidity, and soft, with the character of new wines. Today, Tunisian wine continues to boast the high repute that the sun, soil and time-honored Tunisian traditions have conferred on it.

LeBonVin also offers a wide range of wines from more traditional wine regions - and adds a wine from Mexico and a Rum from Venezuela - certainly different!

Le Bon Vin Ltd, 340 Brightside Lane ,Sheffield S9 2SB