HAND-PICKED grapes make up a new 'own label' wine which has just been introduced by a top West Devon hotel and restaurant.

The new Beaujolais Villages wine is produced for the Arundell Arms by Briar and Michel Paccalin, owners of the private vineyard, Domaine de la Fleur de Bruyere, and long-standing friends of Adam Fox-Edwards, managing director of the hotel, and his wife, Tina.

Domaine de la Fleur de Bruyere vineyard is in the heart of the Beaujolais region, in central France. Briar and Michel work closely with nature, and the grape-picking, as with almost all the work at the vineyard, is done by hand — a job in which Adam has also played a part.

Adam said: 'We selected this superb Beaujolais Villages wine for the Arundell Arms for its great flavour and taste.

'We had great fun on a very wet and windy day, picking the grapes that would become this delicious wine.

'It is great that the wine is recognised by the French themselves as it has won many awards, including first prize at the regional Beaujolais Villages competition in 2007; beating over 120 other growers.'

Described as having a generous bouquet and palate of dark berry fruit aromas and flavour this wine is perfect to drink on its own or accompanying a meal.