We Asked A Wine Expert To Recommend The Best Wines For Every Kind Of Life Moment

Forget the fuss and formality – these are wines that fit real tables, real food, and real lives. Whatever the occasion, here’s how you can bring a little Bourgogne magic to the moments of your life that matter.

Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite

Robyn’s post-sound bath lunch with the girls

Wine: Mâcon-Lugny, Les Genièvres, white, 2024, Maison Louis Latour

For Robyn’s lunch with the girls, Elizabeth suggested a smart white from one of Mâcon’s most renowned villages. “This Mâcon-Lugny Les Genièvres is creamy, ripe and beautifully polished, with melon and hazelnut that everyone will love. It’s a crowd-pleaser from a famous producer and pairs perfectly with a rich, comforting fish pie after a slow, restorative morning,” she says.

Andrea’s Indian dinner-for-one

Wine: Mâcon-Charnay-lès-Mâcon, Les Piliers, white, 2023, Genetie

For an Indian-style dinner featuring a creamy butter chicken and a side of biryani, Elizabeth suggested going with a wine that can do what few others manage – complement spice rather than fight it. “In Britain, we often reach for beer with a curry, because so many wines have big personalities that clash with bold flavours,” she says. “When it comes to pairing wine with Indian food, you want harmony, not heat. This Mâcon-Charnay-les Mâcon from the warm, sunny south of Bourgogne is gentle and rounded, with soft orchard fruit, a touch of oak and mellow acidity. It smooths out the spice in Indian food beautifully – delivering creamy, crowd-pleasing notes. Perfect for a table filled with flavour.”

Beth’s mother-daughter dinner

Wine: Mâcon-Azé, white, 2022, Domaine de la Garenne 

Beth had a quiet evening in with her mum and was looking for a nice wine to turn a simple night into something special. Elizabeth recommended a wine from Azé, one of her favourite villages in the Mâcon appellation. “It’s a real crowd-pleaser and a brilliant way to celebrate, especially alongside a cheese board and some French bread and butter,” she says. “Ripe apple, peach and soft floral notes are wrapped in that signature creamy Mâcon texture – so fresh yet so generous.”

Caitlin’s wine and movie night

Wine: Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre, red, 2023, Domaine Verret

Sure, popcorn is great when you’re watching a film – but throw in a glass of Bourgogne wine or two, and you know it’s going to be even better. “When you’re hunkering down with a great film, skip those sleep-inducing heavy reds and go for something light and vibrant,” Elizabeth suggests. “This red Bourgogne made of Pinot Noir has a subtle earthiness, and with ripe red-cherry fruit, it’s lively, approachable and the ideal mix of grown-up and laid-back. I recommend serving it slightly chilled – so pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes before you plan to serve it.”

Harriet’s bridesmaids’ dinner party

Wine: Bourgogne Épineuil, Côte de Grisey, red, 2022, Domaine Courtault-Michelet

For Harriet’s bridesmaids’ dinner, Elizabeth picked a Pinot Noir from a pretty village near Chablis that she says will pair well with the different flavours on the table. “In the glass we find sour cherries, wild raspberry and a hint of violet. It has enough tannin and grip to stand up to South African-style meats, yet it’s elegant and light enough to flatter the salads,” she says. “A fun, versatile wine that brings everyone together: bridesmaids happy, visitors from overseas happy, happy menfolk – what more could you ask for?”