BEFORE he used to advertise a brand of butter, John Lydon was a famous singersongwriter.

I really liked a song he used to sneer, when he was frontman of Public Image Ltd., called “This Is Not a Love Song”.

This is not a love wine column either (that’s next week) but it could be, if you and your better half appreciate good Beaujolais.

And particularly if you choose Saint-Amour wines, it seems.

According to DiscoverBeaujolais.com, “20 to 25 percent of Saint- Amour sales occur in February, and a label featuring Cupid is created just for Valentine’s Day”.

There is another reason for this spike in sales however; the official release date for Saint- Amour wines is today, February 1. Whereas the other Beaujolais Crus come out on March 15.

And besides, according to my dictionary, amour is defined as, “a love affair, especially an illicit one”. I am left wondering if Saint Valentine would have approved.

Saint-Amour is the most northerly Beaujolais Cru, as well as one of the smallest; comprising of 115 growers that produce an average of 1.6 million bottles a year.

Made from the Beaujolais grape gamay, on the whole these wines are floral and fruity, with soft tannins and a bright acidity.

They can work with or without food and pair especially well with ham and pork.

Try the following; they make a refreshing change from heavier styles of red. These wines are all available online.

Domaine Le Carjot 2012 Saint- Amour is a lively and vibrant creation but round in the mouth.

It has a pronounced violet floral character, with juicy raspberry and plum fruit flavours.

Domaine des Pierres 2011 Saint-Amour is smooth and light with impressively long flavours of ripe red fruits and floral notes too.

Or opt for the clean tasting, long and velvety Domaine Matray 2011 Saint-Amour. With a nicely balanced acidity, it is laden with blackcurrant and red cherry flavours.

Domaine Le Carjot 2012 Saint-Amour, £10.99 from adnams.co.uk/ 18/20

Domaine des Pierres 2011 Saint- Amour, £12.60 from tannerswines.co.uk 18/20

Domaine Matray 2011 Saint-Amour, £14.40 from nickdobsonwines.co.uk 18/20