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Pic Wines: an online retailer specializing in the Languedoc
I’ve always had a soft spot for the wines from the
Languedoc commune of Pic St Loup (above), ever since I first
discovered them while I was camping at a small village called St Martin de
Londres, bang in the middle of the region. It’s mainly red wine
territory, and over the last several years wines from this area have
established a growing reputation for quality. (see my report here)
New-ish retailer Pic
Wines is named after the region, but as well as offering bottles from
Pic St Loup itself they also do a good coverage of many of the top
sub-regions of the Languedoc. The company is run by two ex-pat Brits,
Helen and Julie, who met at University (no lesser educational
establishment than Oxford, so they are smart…) and who are now living in
the region. Their business model is quite interesting: rather than hold
stock, they effectively act as brokers between the small growers who they
list and their customers. They know their stuff: their list is crammed with some
top producers, and many of the wines available here aren’t otherwise on
sale in the UK. They sent me three to try, and my notes are below. [Rather
embarrassingly, I scored them all the same. It’s just coincidence.] Pic
Wines is a valuable addition to the roster of independents who specialize
in the Languedoc, currently one of France’s most exciting wine regions. Mas Domergue Font d’Armand 2001 Coteaux du
Languedoc Château
de Valflaunès Hardiesse 2002 Pic St Loup, Coteaux du Languedoc Château
des Crès Ricards ‘Oenothera’ 2003 Coteaux du Languedoc Contact
details: www.picwines.co.uk |