The real Robinson Crusoe, a Scot called Alexander Falkirk, preferred whisky to wine but then his desert island did not have the benefit of Blanc Moutier, a new island wine that will be on sale for the first time this year.
 
The island is Noirmoutier in the Vendée, where Franck Pinaud – now there’s a good name for a wine producer – will launch his dry white wine next April. The grape variety, Grollos, benefits from the sandy soil in the 1,000 acres bought by Mr. Pinaud.

Vendéen wine overall is expected to have an excellent year. It sells particularly well in Brittany and around Paris, which will take most of the 6,000 litres bottled during 2006.