This red wine six-pack is your ticket to the heart of France’s most expressive and diverse red wine regions, matched to the rhythm of the Tour’s most scenic and challenging routes.

This year kicks off with spice-laden garnacha from Priorat, followed by perfectly aged Bordeaux and a brilliant Malbec from Cahor.  The French Alps deliver a new producer recently arrived in the country that is making fantastic Jura reds, and of course, a juicy, fleshy Rhone is on the cards. Last but not least, a village level Burugndy from Rapet is a standout it treats in this year's pack.

You’ll find juicy, fruit-forward reds perfect for a casual glass, alongside more serious, structured styles. It’s a celebration of French red wine in all its regional colour, capturing everything from sun-baked intensity to mountain freshness in one delicious journey.

STAGE 2 – Hilly – Tarragona to Barcelona – 168.5 km  

Originally from Galicia, Fredi Torres has become one of Priorat's most exciting modern voices. After time working in Switzerland's financial sector, he returned to Spain to pursue winemaking, establishing a small domaine focused on old vineyards, organic farming and minimal intervention. His wines have quickly earned international acclaim for capturing the rugged beauty of Priorat while emphasising freshness and finesse over sheer power

The Classic is sourced from old Garnacha and Cariñena vines rooted in Priorat's famous llicorella slate soils. Indigenous fermentation, gentle extraction and restrained use of oak allow the vineyards to speak clearly. The result is everything lovers of Priorat hope for: dark fruits, mineral tension, wild herbs and those unmistakable slate-driven tannins, all delivered with remarkable balance and energy.

STAGE 7 – Flat – Hagetmau to Bordeaux – 175.1 km  

Château Tour Saint-Bonnet has long been one of the Médoc's great insider buys. Family-owned for generations and now under the stewardship of the Lafon family, the estate sits on the gravelly soils north of Saint-Estèphe, producing classically proportioned Bordeaux that consistently overdelivers. Traditional viticulture, careful oak maturation and an unwavering commitment to value have earned the château a loyal following among lovers of Left Bank Bordeaux.

The excellent 2016 vintage has matured beautifully, revealing all the hallmarks of classic Médoc. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and blackcurrant fruit while Merlot rounds out the palate with generosity and charm. Extended ageing in both barrel and bottle has softened the tannins and allowed the savoury cedar, tobacco and earthy nuances to emerge. A perfectly timed bottle to enjoy as the Tour rolls into Bordeaux.

STAGE 8 – Flat – Périgueux to Bergerac – 180.4 km

Few estates have done more to elevate the reputation of Cahors than Château du Cèdre. Established by brothers Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe, the estate has become one of the appellation's benchmarks through meticulous organic farming, low yields and thoughtful winemaking. Their work has helped transform perceptions of Malbec's French homeland, producing wines that balance power with elegance and remarkable precision.

Héritage is sourced from vineyards planted on the limestone terraces that have defined Cahors for centuries. Predominantly Malbec, it is fermented with gentle extraction before maturation in a combination of tank and seasoned oak to preserve freshness. The latest release is beautifully poised, offering dark fruits, violets and graphite with polished tannins and impressive energy. Another reminder that modern Cahors is producing some of France's best-value reds.

STAGE 12 – Hilly – Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saône – 179.8 km

The Rapet family has called Pernand-Vergelesses home since the eighteenth century, quietly building one of the Côte de Beaune's most respected domaines. Today Vincent Rapet oversees the estate, farming an outstanding collection of village and premier cru vineyards with a philosophy centred on vineyard expression, balance and restraint. While neighbouring Aloxe-Corton often steals the spotlight, Rapet consistently demonstrates why Pernand remains one of Burgundy's great value villages.

The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Aux Fourneaux is pretty and charming, offering up notes of raspberries, plums, spices and orange zest. Medium-bodied, supple and fine-boned, it won't require much cellaring. WILLIAM KELLEY

A notably earthier nose combines notes of red currant, dark pinot and a whiff of the sauvage. There is markedly better volume to the delicious and more complex medium-bodied flavors that conclude in a moderately rustic and more structured finale. This should mature quickly though and 5 to 8 years should see this at its best. BURGHOUND

STAGE 15 – Mountain – Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison – 175.8 km

Founded in the village of Poligny, Domaine Badoz has been family owned for ten generations and remains one of Jura's leading traditional producers. Farming vineyards across the region's distinctive limestone and marl soils, the estate champions both the famous oxidative wines and the lighter, terroir-driven styles that have brought Jura international attention in recent years. Their commitment to native grape varieties has made them an important ambassador for this unique corner of France.

Trousseau is Jura's most charismatic red grape and, in the right hands, one of France's most fascinating wines. Fermented gently to preserve its perfume and finesse before ageing in older oak, this expression beautifully captures the variety's personality. Think somewhere between Pinot Noir, Mencía and Cru Beaujolais, with bright red fruit, spice and an earthy savoury edge. If you've never tasted Jura reds before, this is a wonderful place to start.

STAGE 19 – Mountain – Gap to Alpe d'Huez – 127.9 km

Domaine La Roubine is one of the rising stars of the Southern Rhône. Former firefighter Thierry Faravel returned to the family vineyards with a determination to produce wines that combined traditional Rhône character with greater elegance and drinkability. Working sustainably across vineyards around Sablet, the estate has quickly earned a reputation for expressive, honest wines that capture the warmth and charm of the region.

La Grange des Briguières blends Grenache with supporting Rhône varieties from vineyards surrounding the beautiful hilltop village of Sablet. Fermented traditionally before ageing in concrete and older oak, the emphasis is on preserving fruit rather than masking it. The 2023 is wonderfully generous, packed with ripe berries, herbs and gentle spice while retaining enough freshness to keep every glass lively. A perfect fireside companion after another epic mountain stage.