Languedoc Offer

The sun-drenched Mediterranean region of France’s Languedoc is one of the most exciting in the wine world. Amidst the sea of bland, uninspiring Vin de Table, is an increasing proportion of premium, character-filled wine at exceptionally good prices. The potential for quality has never been in doubt given the wonderful range of terroirs that exist away from the flat and fertile plains. What was missing was a real dedication to quality. Happily, over the last few years, many of the best growers have started to bottle their own wines. Their success has even encouraged the more progressive co-operatives to release impressive limited production wines.

This ongoing development means that the Languedoc continues to be a source of the world’s best wine values and we are always on the look out for new and exciting offerings. A recent trip has uncovered another treasure trove of wines and we are delighted to introduce them to you.

You can make your own selection from amongst our recommendations and enjoy free delivery. Or if you find yourself spoilt for choice, our Sampler Case gives a real flavour of the Languedoc, with an even better saving.

Ch. GUIRAUD BOISSEZON, St. Chinian

Michel Guiraud has many reasons to thank his parents. Aside from the obvious, the key one is that their marriage brought together the vineyards of the Guiraud family at Roquerun with those of his mother’s side, the Boissezon family, at Causse et Veyran.  The vineyards are both in the St. Chinian appellation and though the soils are different, granite schist and clay/limestone, they compliment each other, ‘like a husband and wife’ as Michel puts it.  A range of white, red and rosé wines are made from the 38ha and we have selected his Chateau red as the best introduction to fifth generation winemaker, whose roots are definitely in the soil.

FR3016R    Ch. Guiraud Boissezon 2006, St Chinian  13.5%                                         £7.99
A fruity, aromatic wine from the premium appellation of St. Chinian in the heart of the Languedoc. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Carignan from the stoney soils around Cebazan. Deep purple colour lightening to the rim. Spicy, perfumed aromas of raspberry, redcurrant and plum and a touch of sweet liquorice. Powerful, quite savoury bramble fruit flavours on the palate, with a fair amount of tannin and white pepper. Still very youthful, this is a boldly flavoured wine with a lovely, complex aromatic dimension to enjoy to 2012. Silver medal winner at the Concours General in Paris.

SIGNATURES du SUD, Herault

Established in 1994, Signatures du Sud is a negociant operation based in Plaissan, west of Montpellier and north of the Picpoul de Pinet appellation. Grapes and wines are sourced for wines released under their own label, but they also market a range of domaine wines from estates that are simply too small to do it themselves. Skilled oenologist Roger Jean Jean (yes that really is his name!) does all the grape selection and oversees the winemaking. The quality and diversity of his wines is pretty impressive. Each wine is unique and locally produced, but they all have Roger’s signature if you forgive the pun.

FR3008W    Signatures du Sud Viognier 2008,. Vin de Pays d’Oc  13%                       £6.25
Bright straw colour with aromas of apricot, quince and almond with a touch of spice. Quite rich on the palate as you would expect from Viognier with lovely apricot, peach and lemon flavours that linger nicely. Well-priced example of this exotic variety to drink whilst young and fresh.

FR2307W    Le Pied Martin Picpoul de Pinet 2007, Coteaux du Languedoc  13%       £7.25
Picpoul de Pinet is a rare and unusual white in this country, but is highly regarded in France. The wine is made from the Picpoul grape in a sub-region of the Languedoc called Picpoul de Pinet. Youthful aromas of lemon, peach and fresh herbs. Crisp and minerally to taste, very refreshing, with a twist of lemon on the finish. A great example of this distinctive wine and perfect with seafood. Drink now to end of 2010.

FR3027R    Baronnie St. Pierre Rouge 2007, AC Languedoc  13% £6.49
This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah was one of Roger’s first domaine wines. It comes from vineyards in the neighbouring village of Villevayrac and is a good example of his modern, fruit-driven style. Deep plum/purple colour with intense aromas of black pepper, cherry, damson and liquorice. Full of ripe, redcurrant and red cherry flavours with notes of plum and vanilla spice and an under-pinning savoury core provides freshness. Young, robust and slightly earthy, this is a hearty, mouth-filling red to enjoy over the next couple of years.

Ch. La CHOUPPE TAILLEFER, Minervois

Situated in the heart of Minervois, just a couple of miles from Domaine Piccinini, Ch. la Chouppe Taillefer was built at the beginning of the 18th century by Sieur Nicolas La Houppe. The Taillefer family purchased the chateau a century later, appending their name and they remain the owners to this day.  Madame Marie-Thérèse Albiach-Taillefer is the current proprietor and though wine production remains very small, it is of a very high quality. The best grapes grown on the stony, alluvial soils go into the Chateau wine, which is aged in oak barrels. The remainder go to make a more humble but still excellent domaine wine.

FR3117R    Ch. La Chouppe Taillefer Grand Reserve 2007, Minervois  13%              £8.49
Mainly Syrah and Grenache, this deeply coloured wine has intense, complex aromas of bramble fruits, vanilla spice, mocha and garrigue. Lovely weight and mouthfeel with flavours of cassis, damson, redcurrant and raspberry. Still very youthful there are hints of the future with subtle notes of minerals, lavender and thyme. Lovely long aromatic finish. A most impressive wine to enjoy to 2013.

Les Vignobles FONCALIEU, Arzens

Foncalieu is a fine example of the best co-operatives making premium quality wine at a good price. The wide scope of their operations near Carcassonne has enabled them to release a small but distinctive range of unusual varieties. Malbec, or Cot as it is locally known, is surprisingly rare in the Languedoc, but not are rare as Marselan, a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Intended to capture the best of both varieties, this new variety is one to look out for. Since these limited production wines are from specific vineyards just west of Beziers, they can use the local Vin de Pays appellation of Coteaux d’Enserune, rather than just Vin de Pays d’Oc.

FR3086R    Enseduna Marselan 2006, Coteaux d’Enserune  13.5%                             £5.99
Deep purple colour and lively, spicy aromas of cassis, damson and blackberry with subtle notes of musk and wild herbs. Boldy flavoured on the palate with ripe berry fruit flavours, blackcurrant and an attractive spicy lift. Smooth and slightly tannic with blueberry notes coming through on the gently warming finish. Silver medal winner at the Vinalies International at Paris. Drink now to 2011

FR3096R    Enseduna Malbec 2006, Coteaux d’Enserune, Languedoc  13%              £6.49
Still quite a youthful purple colour. Intense spicy aromas with plum fruits and floral notes. Rich and weighty in the palate with lovely, silky damson and raspberry fruit flavours. Ripe tannns and spicy aromatic notes on the finish give lift and complexity. Though rarely seen outside Cahors, the Malbec character really shows well and this impressive wine can be enjoyed through to 2012.

Ch. MONTAURIOL Rigaud, Corbieres

Bernard Rigaud, owner of this beautiful chateau, aims to make wines that are a benchmark for Corbieres. He has just 5ha of sun-soaked vineyards in the hills above Thézan. The meticulously tended vines are mostly ancient and low-yielding Carignan and his Cuvée les Crozes is made from the best of these with a little Syrah.

FR3106R    ‘Cuvée les Crozes’ 2006, Corbieres  12.5%                       £6.99
Lifted aromas with white pepper, cherry, damson and exotic spice. Open, expressive style with bramble fruit flavours, redcurrant jelly and refreshing acidity. The soft, mellow tannins are almost unnoticeable. Light enough to drink on its own but with enough acidity to partner rich meat dishes. Bernard particularly recommends tripe!

Ch. les INFERETS, Corbieres

This small, family run estate has 20 ha of vineyards near Narbonne, at the northern eastern edge of the extensive Corbieres appellation. The soils here are a mix of clay and limestone pebbles, which naturally restricts the vine’s yields. A blend of mostly Syrah and Carignan, the wine is barrel aged before release.

FR1914R    Chateau Les Inferets 2004, Corbieres  13.5%                    £7.75
This modern, fruit-filled Mediterranean wine won Silver at Vinalies Internationales in Paris. Deep purple colour with spicy plum, vanilla and raspberry aromas. Silky, ripe berry fruit flavours with an attractive freshness, good grip and long, savoury finish.  Enjoy now to 2010.

Domaine MAUREL VEDEAU

You may recall the name of winemaker Stephane Vedeau from the negociant firm of Terre a Verre. Having sold this business, Stephane returned to his family’s roots in the Rhone valley and established Maurel Vedeau. He still retains his links with the Languedoc however and has managed to secure some of the best grapes from vineyards he originally discovered in Fitou and Minervois.

FR2294R    Les Capitelles 2004, Fitou  13%                                                   £7.25
The appellation of Fitou is actually two separate regions, Fitou Maritime on the Mediterranean coast and Fitou Montagneux, to the west, on the edge of the Pyrenees. This wine comes from Fitou Montagneux, where the high altitude of the vineyards has a moderating effect on the hot climate. This has enabled Stephane to produce a remarkably balanced wine at a quality far beyond the typical rustic Fitou. Attractive aromas of black fruits, exotic spices, vanilla and wild herbs are echoed in the richly flavoured palate. This is smooth, almost luscious with good acidity and a persistent, lightly spicy finish. To 2011

FR1284R    Les Capitelles Minervois 2004  13%                                              £7.25
This impressive wine comes from once neglected vineyards of Grenache and Syrah on some of the steepest slopes in the Minervois. Deep red colour, purple to the rim. Aromatic with plum, prune and exotic spice and hints of vanilla. Medium to full-bodied, smooth with light tannins. Juicy berry fruit flavours with tobacco, spice and notes of white pepper on the finish. Good balance of fruit and structure. Drink to 2011

FR2255W    Elio L'Oubliee Botrytis Chardonnay 2005, Vin de Table  14%  50cl £8.99
This sweet, botrytised Chardonnay is so rare and unusual that it falls outside the French rules. It has to be classed as a Vin de Table even though high demand means the wine is only available on allocation! A deep, golden colour with aromas of ripe peach, apricot, caramel and notes of botrytis or noble rot. Very rich and full to taste with balancing acidity. The initial sweetness is refreshed by spicy apricot, tangy orange peel and savoury botrytis that comes through on the finish. A fascinating wine to enjoy to 2012

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