A rare and sought-after wine, the 2004 R. López de Heredia Gran Reserva Blanco is a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia, aged for 20 years before release. This is a once-in-a-lifetime wine, that rarely makes it to retail.

A spontaneous trip to Germany’s Mosel Valley allowed the Ryan to visit five wineries in just over 24 hours.

In this two-part travel diary, Ryan recounts his time spent exploring some of the most famed wines of France and Germany. He starts with the wines of Champagne and Chablis.

Now, before you tell me “I hate / love Chardonnay!!” hear me out. Chardonnay is one flexible grape in the hands of a winemaker.