Mae Restaurant and The French Paradox are distinct entities working in close collaboration, with The French Paradox curating and supplying the wine programme that accompanies Mae Restaurant’s dining experience.
Wine pairings at Mae restaurant
At Mae Restaurant, wine pairing is not treated as an accessory to the menu but as an essential element of the dining experience. Working in close collaboration with the restaurant’s kitchen team, The French Paradox curates and supplies a wine selection designed to complement the structure, texture, and progression of each dish. Rather than simply matching ingredients, the aim is to create a dialogue between plate and glass, where acidity, tannin, aromatics, and weight interact to enhance the overall experience.
The wine programme is developed alongside the culinary vision of Mae Restaurant, ensuring that every wine has a clear role to play: sometimes echoing a flavour, sometimes providing contrast, and often revealing unexpected dimensions within a dish. This approach seeks harmony through balance and tension rather than simple similarity, allowing both the food and the wine to express themselves more fully.
Because the collaboration between Mae Restaurant and The French Paradox is ongoing, the pairing is never static. The selection evolves with the seasons, new discoveries, changing vintages, and the development of the menu itself. This living wine programme offers guests a fresh perspective with each visit while remaining rooted in precision, coherence, and a deep respect for both craftsmanship and origin.
Current wine pairing
summer 2026
Champagne
Arnaud Moreau “Blanc de Blancs Erynn” is a Grand Cru Champagne that highlights the purity and tension of Chardonnay. It opens with a bright and refined aromatic profile, where crisp citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit are interwoven with green apple, white peach, and delicate floral nuances such as acacia and hawthorn. A subtle chalky minerality is present from the outset, hinting at the wine’s linear and focused character.
Snacks
This cuvée is typically a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, grown on clay-limestone soils that bring both freshness and roundness to the wine. Sauvignon Blanc provides aromatic lift and vibrant acidity, while Sémillon adds texture, softness and subtle complexity. The vineyards are carefully managed to preserve fruit purity, with a focus on balance and optimal ripeness.
Domaine Fouassier Pouilly-Fumé 2023 is a pure and terroir-driven expression of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, crafted by a family estate renowned for its long-standing commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The Fouassier family, one of the oldest winegrowing dynasties in Sancerre, applies the same philosophy to their Pouilly-Fumé: low intervention in the cellar and a strong focus on soil expression and balance.
Starter
Château Lamartine “Tandem” 2024 is a contemporary expression of Cahors Malbec, crafted by the Gayraud family at their historic, organically farmed estate in Soturac, in the western part of the appellation. It is conceived as a modern, fruit-forward Cahors, designed to highlight purity and drinkability rather than extraction. The 2024 vintage is vinified with a focus on gentle extraction and preservation of fruit, including short maceration and low-intervention practices that aim to retain vibrancy and finesse.
The Bourgogne Pinot Noir “K” 2023 is sourced from selected parcels across the broader Bourgogne appellation, where clay-limestone soils provide an ideal foundation for Pinot Noir. These sites, typically located on the flatter or gently sloping areas around the Côte de Beaune, produce wines that emphasise fruit purity and drinkability rather than heavy structure. The 2023 vintage, marked by good ripening conditions, enhances the wine’s natural generosity while preserving freshness.
Fish Course
Domaine d’Archimbaud “Les IV Pierres” Blanc 2025 is a fresh and aromatic white from the Mont Baudile, crafted from Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and Muscat. It shows delicate notes of white flowers, pear, and citrus with a lively, refreshing finish. Elegant yet expressive, it’s a versatile southern white perfect for aperitif or seafood.
A rich yet finely balanced white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, blending Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette. The 2025 shows ripe orchard fruit, citrus brightness and subtle oak complexity, with a fresh, lightly saline finish. A rare and expressive southern Rhône white, combining generosity with precision.
Meat Course
Domaine de Beyssac “Essentiel” 2017 is a distinctive organic red wine from the Côtes du Marmandais, a small but increasingly respected appellation in Southwest France near Bordeaux. The winery, founded in 2009 and farmed biodynamically since 2016, is known for producing expressive, terroir-driven wines that balance traditional Southwest character with a modern, refined approach.
Château Mondorion Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2022 is a supple and expressive Right Bank Bordeaux with ripe black fruit and a refined, silky texture. Predominantly Merlot, it shows notes of blackberry, plum, and gentle spice supported by soft oak and polished tannins. Elegant yet generous, it offers a harmonious and approachable style of Saint-Émilion.
Dessert
Château Chevessac Pineau des Charentes Blanc (aged 4 years) is a smooth and aromatic fortified wine blending grape must and Cognac. It offers notes of peach, quince, honey, and floral tones with a soft, velvety texture. Sweet yet fresh, it is an elegant aperitif or dessert wine best served chilled.
Château Chevessac Pineau des Charentes XO is a richly aged fortified wine matured in oak for a minimum of 10 years. It reveals deep notes of dried fruit, caramel, honey, and warm spice with a silky, complex texture. Lusciously sweet yet beautifully balanced, it is a refined and contemplative digestif.
