The wine, of garnet-russet hue, is slightly sweet, warm, robust, full, harmonious, velvety with a most satisfying touch of bitterness. It is the ideal wine with game and has no rivals as an accompaniment to hard cheeses. But its most characteristic role is as an after-dinner wine, for sipping in moments of intimacy, or for fuelling lively post-prandial conversation. It should be opened at least two hours before consumption and consumed at ambient temperature. It is the classic wine of friendship.