Instructions

1. To prepare the dough, mix the yeast and sugar in the warm water in a small bowl and let it stand for 10 minutes. When the yeast is frothy, it is ready to use.
2. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and add the olive oil, salt, thyme and activated yeast.
3. Add enough warm water to form a soft dough, adding more flour or water as required.
4. Knead by hand for about 7–10 minutes until pliable and smooth, or place in a mixer fitted with a dough hook and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic. The dough should be slightly sticky.
5. Brush a large bowl with oil for proving. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in the oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until the dough has trebled in size and is springy to the touch, which will take about 2 to 3 hours.
6. In the meantime, heat the grapes and red wine in a small saucepan but not to boiling point. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
7. Line the base of a 25cm springform tin with baking parchment and brush the sides with olive oil. Wrap the outside of the tin with foil just in case the red wine later leaks through the sides.
8. When the dough has risen, knock it back and knead it again on a lightly floured surface for about 2 minutes. Gently flatten the dough into the springform tin and brush with olive oil. Pour over the grapes and red wine. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise again in a warm place for about 30 to 40 minutes, until it has doubled in size.
9. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6.
10. Sprinkle over the sugar and sprigs of thyme and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. Check that the loaf is cooked by tapping the bottom – if it sounds hollow then it’s done. Allow to cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then carefully loosen and transfer to the cooling rack.