IF EVER there was a place destined to produce a cheeky tipple, it has to be the village of Bouzy in northern France.

Yes, it really is pronounced "boozy" and that is not the only thing that stands out about this charming little corner of the wine world.

All around stretch vineyards that produce the grapes to make the world's most prestigious sparkling wine.

For as far as the eye can see, bubbles are the business, and a lucrative one at that.

Bouzy however has another string to its bow, thanks to a group of dedicated producers who have opted to maintain, albeit largely as a sideline, a centuries old tradition of producing still red wine from pinot noir vines planted close to the northern limit of where the notoriously fickle varietal will ripen fully.

"We are like the little Gaulois village in the Asterix stories," says local vigneron (winemaker) Jean-Rene Brice.

"Instead of holding out against the Romans, we are holding out for red wine production whilst all around everyone is making champagne."

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I used to love the Asterix comics.