Hollywood hunk would love to swap acting to become a winemaker

Branded the sexiest man alive, johnny Depp, who has played everyone from Jack Sparrow  in the hit film Pirates of the Caribbean to Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has a secret desire. To stay at home in the South of France and make wine.

Depp, who plays the Mad Hatter in long-time collaborator Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, which opens Friday  March 5) told French magazine VSD of his vineyard dream.

He lives in a house surrounded by 30 acres in Le Plan-de-la-Tour in southern France with his wife, former singer Vanessa Paradis and their two children, Lily Rose, 10 and Jack, 7. But despite being so successful, has a yen to get into winemaking.Read more

Vineyards throw open doors on limited weekends

If you have ever fancied rolling up your sleeves and finding out what it takes to make their special bottle of wine, then this one is for you.

On certain weekends throughout the year, the châteaux of different Bordeaux appellations open their doors and welcome visitors wanting to tour their properties and taste their wines.

Here are the dates for the 2010 Portes Ouvertes (translated literally as 'open doors')Read more

Enjoy good food and discover 69 different wines with a holiday to the Loire

The Loire has always been the definitive region that brings together food and wine aficionados and keen walkers, with its unforgettable landscapes and wine chateaux visits.

A trip to the region will allow you to discover the 69 different wines of France’s third leading winegrowing region, its fascinating growers and the surrounding countryside classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO: the perfect way to while away the winter days!Read more

Head to Bordeaux to escape the winter blues

Fed up with the weather and dreaming of your next holiday? Then Bordeaux may have the answer.

Bordeaux offers its visitors tradition, prestige, the art of living well and conviviality. History and heritage is important to the region famed for its wine and food but new developments in Bordeaux show the destination as a tourism trend setter and a place that has something to satisfy all interests...

Here are just a few tantalising places to visit:Read more

J&L Charlemagne sparkling Chardonnay makes it into the TV  Channel's 'Top 10 Xmas list'

The sparkling wine, with a cheeky dose of XO Cognac was named by Channel Four as No. 4 in its Top Ten Xmas Drink list.

The winemakers J&L Charlemagne from Angoulême use the traditional method, from 95% Chardonnay, but with the added ingredient of 5% XO Cognac to create the sparkling number.

The vintage is warm and rounded, with the aroma of rich, buttery Cognac revealed through the bubbles making it an ideal fizz for Christmas.Read more