“As a lover of all things fine and French, as well as a way of saying thank you to my loyal customers and lovers of French-style interiors, I’m very excited to present this selection of fine French wines.

Both in interior style and in food and wine, the French seem to have a way of combining elegance and sophistication with the essence of life. The fertile soils of France have been cultivated for more than 2000 years with a lot of attention, making sure that what man did to the landscape enhanced it rather than detracted from it – ensuring that the aesthetic and spiritual dimensions were considered.

French wines have always represented the epitome of all these qualities: delicacy, complexity and an element that always surprises and delights. I invite you to taste and take advantage of the special quality and value that this selection offers. At the same time I’d like to raise my glass and wish you a happy and convivial time over the festive season, and may the new year bring you an abundance of happiness and joy.”

The offer

Christophe Living is pleased to invite you take advantage of an exclusive offer of French wines.

We have teamed up with Discovervin to bring you a selection of French drops that have been personally selected by Jean-Christophe himself. Discovervin is Australia’s premier importer of wines from Bordeaux and the south of France.

With Christmas just around the corner, now is the time to be stocking your bar. With that in mind we have created some special Christmas cases, as well as boxes for cellaring or everyday drinking. You are also welcome to buy wines by the bottle – some of which have been exclusively reserved for Christophe Living customers.

In addition, Christophe Living customers will have phone access to a sommelier who can provide tips on food pairing and cellaring.

The Discovery Pack – 6 bottles

A selection of wines made from unusual grape varieties and from lesser-known regions in France. Includes: 2 x white, 3 x red, 1 x dessert.

The Christmas Value Pack – 6 bottles

A versatile selection that will go with most things on the Christmas table – perfect for entertaining over the festive season. Includes: 2 x white, 2 x red, 2 x Champagne.

The Christmas Prestige Pack – 12 bottles

A more premium selection for this special time of year, ideal for the wine connoisseur.  Includes: 3 x Champagne, 3 x white, 4 x red, 2 x dessert.

For full details of the wines on offer please download the PDF.

To place an order, please call Helen at Discovervin on 0414 596 395 or email [email protected]

For wine advice from your sommelier, please call Benoît on 0478 677 800

About your sommelier

Wine expert Benoît Lavaud grew up surrounded by vineyards in the south west of France. As a young man he spent several summers working in the chateaux around his hometown, so when it came time to decide his future career path, wine was the natural choice.

After four years studying the winemaking process in the Monbazillac AOC region, he turned his attention to the business side of things, studying the wine trade in the Saint-Émilion AOC region.

Here he found his first graduate position, working in one of the biggest wine stores in the Saint-Émilion area. He moved on to a short contract in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, where he was fortunate enough to meet Gilles Mony, whom Benoît refers to as ‘un grand monsieur de vin’.

But for many years, Benoît’s dream had been to move to another country, discovering the wines of the world, earning other languages and simply travelling. The English hospitality industry was his first stop, where Benoît worked as a sommelier in the Michelin-starred restaurant at Lucknam Park, Wiltshire.

After another stint in Saint-Émilion and a six month trip through South America, Benoît returned to France, a lot more experienced and with three languages under his belt. He took up a position at Cousin & Compagnie, a wine store in the centre of Bordeaux. It was here that he met Craig and Helen Underhill, owners of Discovervin, who invited him to join their team in Australia.