It's back baby! The Tour Survival dozen is here! This is all you need to survive one of the most gruelling races in the world, all in one box. 

We have been working hard to put together a selection of fantastic bottles matched to 11 stages of the 2025 Tour de France - yes, we doubled one up this year, but both wines are so delicious, and oneis white and the other red so we still got you well and truly covered. Whether it's climbing the steep mountain slopes of the Savoie or time-trials through the coastal towns of Normandie you can watch along and enjoy something delicious as riders make their way through the four corners of France.  It makes for some pretty interesting drinking and we have made sure there is always some super interesting wines and cide for that matter too.

The final sprint into the Champs-Élysées is back too so the only way to celebrate is with some perfectly chilled French bubbles.

There is juicy Rhones, crunchy Savoie,  a couple of cracking drops from the Loire too, along with wines from Cahor, Beaujolais and beyond.

We've tried to capture something a little special from each region the riders go through and this year has been a delight to put together. 

We hope you enjoy!

STAGE 6 Hilly Bayeux > Vire Normandie 201.5 km

Known more as a cutting-edge cider maker, Eric Bordelet was a top sommelier at Arpege in Paris, before returning home to Normandy in 1992 to take over the family business. He biodynamically grows more than 20 apple varieties and 15 pear varieties. JASON WILSON, Vinous

Eric Bordelet approaches Cider-making with the same intensity as a passionate oenologist brings to winemaking. Bordelet worked as sommelier in the leading 3 star Parisian restaurant, ‘Arpege’ where he became deeply familiar with the top winemakers and wineries of France. In 1992 he took over the tiny patch of family farmed orchards in Charchigné, in the heart of Normandy’s premium Cider producing area. Since then he has set about rescuing the ancient ‘heirloom’ varieties of pears and apples that produce tiny quantities and amazing flavour.

In France Bordelet offers a Demi Sec bottling of apple, but for our market the wine is called Brut Tendre, having 25-35 grams of sugar per litre.  The acidity of the apples is relatively high and so is balanced by a little residual sugar so that the finish tastes dry to most palates. 

STAGE 8 Flat Saint-Méen-le-Grand > Laval Espace Mayenne 171.4 km

Domaine de la Bretonnière is a family-run estate located in the heart of the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation, near the Atlantic coast in the Loire Valley. Owned by the Verdier brothers, the domaine has built a reputation for producing classic, terroir-driven Muscadet from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. The wines are aged sur lie (on the lees), a traditional method in the region that adds texture and complexity to the bright, saline character of the wines. With its cool maritime climate and mineral-rich soils, this region delivers wines that are crisp, clean, and quintessentially coastal.

The 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie is brisk, pure, and refreshingly dry. It opens with aromas of lemon zest, green apple, and a touch of sea spray. On the palate, it's light-bodied with vibrant acidity, subtle leesy texture, and a mouthwatering saline finish. A classic partner for oysters, seafood, or anything fresh from the ocean.

STAGE 9     Flat   Chinon > Châteauroux  174.1 km  

For those new to this producer, the wines come from the Anjou-based, micro-négoce started by Philippe Germain with his brother, Thierry Germain (of Roches Neuves fame) acting as a consultant. Thierry is no longer involved with the project, though the wines have not missed a beat.

This 100% Cabernet Franc is hand-harvested from organically tended vines on gravelly shale soils in western Anjou, just across the river from Savennières. The fruit is fully destemmed before spontaneous fermentation. It is raised in stainless steel for just six months, with no sulphur added until bottling.

This is bright and aromatic, bursting with pretty floral notes, summer berries and complexing notes of woodsy herbs and earth. It zips through the palate with vibrancy, crunch and gently rasping tannic grip. If vibrant, balanced, well-priced, medium-weight reds are your thing, look no further

STAGE 10     Mountain    Mon 07/14/2025    Ennezat > Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy 165.3 km

La Ficelle is the playful and approachable red wine of the Saint-Pourçain appellation, one of France’s oldest but lesser-known wine regions, nestled in the Auvergne just west of the Loire. The name “La Ficelle” (meaning “the string”) comes from an old local custom: when wine was poured in taverns, customers were charged based on the amount consumed, measured by a string dipped into the bottle. Since its modern revival in the 1980s, La Ficelle has become a symbol of Saint-Pourçain’s charming, unpretentious wines and local pride—often released with quirky, illustrated labels by different artists each year.

This year it's 100% Gamay and what you would term as a classic ‘Vin de Soif’.  La Ficelle means ‘the string’. The tale is told that the barkeep would use a knotted string to dip into a patrons flagon to see how much wine they had enjoyed before the bill. Not sure how that would go down today not that it would matter as you would easily empty a bottle of this with a few friends. Juicy, juby red fruits dominate the palate and the nose. Upfront, lively and vibrant with lifted spicy red currant, red berry fruits that tingle with crunch of acidity and meadow herbs. 

STAGE 11     Flat   Toulouse > Toulouse    156.8 km

Marcel Malbec is a modern take on one of France’s most historic grape varieties, sourced from the heart of Cahors in southwest France—Malbec’s original home. This wine offers a fresher, more approachable expression of the variety, balancing classic structure with bright, vibrant fruit. Designed to be enjoyed young, it’s a crowd-pleaser that still stays true to its roots.

Deep purple in the glass, Marcel Malbec opens with aromas of juicy blackberries, violets, and a touch of earthy spice. The palate is generous yet smooth, with soft tannins and a core of dark fruit—think plum, black cherry, and a whisper of cocoa. A gentle lift of acidity keeps it lively, making it a perfect match for burgers, roast vegetables, or charcuterie. Stylish, easy-drinking, and full of character.

STAGE 14     Mountain  Pau > Luchon-Superbagnères    182.6 km

Domaine Cauhapé is the leading estate of Jurançon, a historic yet often overlooked appellation in southwest France. Founded in 1980 by Henri Ramonteau on his family’s farm, the domaine has grown from 1 to 47 hectares and is renowned for producing both dry and sweet wines of exceptional purity and finesse. With a focus on native varieties like Gros and Petit Manseng, and a commitment to hand harvesting and precise winemaking, Cauhapé captures the unique character of Jurançon’s Atlantic-influenced, Pyrenean climate—offering wines that are as compelling as they are distinctive.

80 % Gros Manseng, 20 % Lauzet planted in clay silica terroir facing south-east. Hand harvested in small volume crates at the beginning of September. 

Beautiful intensity of aromas, the nose reveals intense white fleshed fruits and delightful notes of citrus and spice. In the mouth, the round and supple attack develops a magnificent palate of fruity and exotic flavours. Finishing dry and crisp. Perfect aperitif wine to enliven the palate.

STAGE 15 Hilly Muret > Carcassonne 169.3 km

Marius Pays d’Oc Rouge is a vibrant, fruit-driven red from the south of France, crafted by the legendary Michel Chapoutier. Named in honour of Michel’s grandfather, Marius Chapoutier, this wine celebrates both family heritage and the Mediterranean way of life—warm, generous, and uncomplicated. Sourced from vineyards in the Pays d’Oc IGP, it offers a modern, easy-drinking expression of southern French red wine.

A really nice combo of grenache and syrah here with neither taking the lead but ebbing and flowing back and fourth with red and black fruits. Its plush and approachable, with ripe cherry, blackberry, and a touch of spice. The palate is smooth and crucnhy, while soft tannins lightly caress and brings a little extras volime and structure to the moreish finish. Absolute belter for the money here and clearly the experience and know-how of the Chapoutiere clan makes this fabulous little drop punch way above the belt.

STAGE 16     Mountain   Montpellier > Mont Ventoux 171.5 km

Château Saint-Julien is a small, quality-focused estate located in the Côtes de Gascogne, in the southwest of France. Known for its fresh, aromatic white wines, this region benefits from a sunny Atlantic-influenced climate, ideal for preserving vibrant acidity and expressive fruit. The estate’s white blend—typically made from local varieties like Colombard, Ugni Blanc, and sometimes Sauvignon Blanc—offers exceptional value and typifies the easy charm and drinkability the region is known for.

The 2023 Château Saint-Julien Blanc is bright and refreshing, bursting with aromas of citrus peel, green apple, and white flowers. The palate is light and zesty, with crisp acidity and a clean, dry finish. It's the perfect aperitif or a great match for salads, shellfish, or goat cheese—simple, lively, and wonderfully French.

STAGE 16     Mountain   Montpellier > Mont Ventoux 171.5 km

La Vieille Ferme Rouge is one of the Rhône Valley’s most reliable and best-loved everyday wines. Produced by the Perrin family (of Château de Beaucastel fame), it’s a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault, sourced from vineyards in the Ventoux and Luberon regions. Made with a focus on drinkability and honest expression of southern French terroir, it’s a benchmark for value and consistency.

Bright ruby in the glass, La Vieille Ferme Rouge offers up inviting aromas of ripe red berries, dried herbs, and a touch of spice. The palate is juicy and supple, with soft tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavours of raspberry, plum, and a hint of pepper. It finishes clean and fresh, making it an ideal companion for grilled meats, Mediterranean fare, or a casual evening with friends. A no-fuss, charming red that overdelivers every time.

STAGE 19     Mountain   Albertville > La Plagne    129.9 km

We were a bit chuffed to get this wine when trying it recently particularly given that you don't see a lot of jacquere wines out of Savoie at the price. The chateau is based in the Chatillon castle, a Roman watch tower built 70AD to signal the regiments along the Rhone River. It's pretty striking stuff in the hills there and the high-altitude vineyards lend a lovely racy edge to the wines.

Light bodied and crisp with a clean, steely minerality and light floral blossom accents on top of waxy citrus and green apple fruit. On the palate it races through cutting with mandarin and lemon peel apple/pear flavours and plenty of energetic acidity that drives a clean, mineral finish spiked with qartz and white pepper. Great stuff!

STAGE 20    Hilly    Nantua > Pontarlier   184.2 km

Stephane's family has been wheeling and dealing in Beaujolais for generations. Based in Fleurie, his father owned an oenological laboratory and worked as a wine broker where, after completing his studies, Stephane returned to work in the family business as a wine consultant and a winemaker in Chénas. His experience there and history in the region brings a depth of knowledge and intimate detail of the terroirs he now works. That, when combined with Stephane's obvious talent makes for a formidable combination.

Black cherry and bright raspberry with a hit of heady, whole peppercorn spice, touch of cola and lovely burst of five spice that drives the inviting nose home. Super crunchy, raspberry fruit layered in with fine slippery tannins. Bursting with red fruit flavour, bright and bouncy. It's fine and tight with a lovely core of fruit that feels light and airy and at once concentrated and precise in its delivery. A fine Villages.

STAGE 21     Flat   Mantes-la-Ville > Paris Champs-Élysées    132.3 km

Third generation vignerons, the Pinons have 25 hectares in Vernou-sur-Brenne. 50% of their production is sparkling and 50% still wine with nothing sold off to the négoce. 

We have long loved the wines of Damien Pinon and when we first tried this little number we were pretty stoked. Great sparkling Loire is such a treat. It captures all that zingy, racy, pure goodness of chenin blanc while bringing the added dimension of bubbles into the equation. They seem like a perfect partnership and we absolutely love this wine.

Quince and granny smith, talcum powder, quartyz spice and a gently honeysuckle, floral element that floats deliciously around in the background. Its pure and precise but fills out across the palate with each sip. Sometimes, Loire Sparkling is a little too lean  but this deliver plenty of fruit at the same time to balance of the fine, minerally acidity.