I’m currently in the Languedoc region of southern France, on a discovery mission. I’m visiting lots of producers (most of whom are new to me) whose goal is to make…
Mas de Daumas Gassac 2011 – a Languedoc legend
Mas de Daumas Gassac has an important place in the history of French wine. Back in the 1970s they showed the world that serious wine could be made in the…
The wines of François Lurton
It was great to meet and taste with François Lurton. His father, Andre Lurton, is a very important figure in Bordeaux. Lurton senior, who owns Château Bonnet, was active in…
The Pétrus-beating Ravanes Les Gravières du Taurou 2000, at age 17
There’s a story behind this wine, and it’s quite a fun one. I tasted it first blind, back in 2004. This was a blind tasting comparing the best of Languedoc-Roussillon…
Two lovely Languedoc wines from Gayda
Had a look at some samples yesterday after getting home from New Zealand, and these two, from Domaine Gayda, stood out. Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc 2015 Pays d’Oc, France…
Domaine Clavel Le Mas: excellent value from the Languedoc
Not to be confused with the Côtes du Rhône domaine of the same name, Domaine Clavel has vineyards in four different Languedoc terroirs: Pic St Loup, Grès de Montpellier, La…
Three Languedoc wines from Calmel & Joseph
Laurent Calmel and Jérôme Joseph are negociants working in the Languedoc-Roussillon. They work with 20 different producer partners and make around 450 000 bottles each year, the vast majority of…
Two lovely own-label French wines from Sainsbury’s
Credit where credit is due. I wouldn’t usually find myself recommending you to hot-foot it to your local supermarket to buy wine, but here are two good own label wines…
A serious Languedoc red from Mas Belles Eaux
I am a huge fan of the Languedoc. It’s a region that possesses some serious terroirs, and where winegrowers have the motivation, they can use these to make serious wines…