Laurent Habrard describes himself as ‘the happy winemaker’ and when you speak to him, it’s hard not to get caught up in his positivity and good energy.

He is based in Crozes Hermitage in the northern Rhone, the spiritual home of Syrah/Shiraz.

And I think I made the happy winemaker even happier by ordering his wine for Ireland, a country he loves and has always wanted to sell wine in.

He told me he slept in English class which is why he hasn’t a word of it - so I had to dust off my French to figure out what makes him tick.

Laurent tells me that when the vigneron is happy, then so are the grapes. And Laurent says he has the best job in the world. His vineyards have been certified organic since 2010 and are treated with utmost care and attention.

In 2019 he made wines with no added sulphites for the first time - so his philosophy is to grow the best grapes and get them into bottle with the least possible manipulation and additives along the way.