For many years, Languedoc-Roussillon was a byword for lousy wine. The region was infamous for producing vast amounts of grim fare which appealed to nobody except the French army who bought the rough local reds by the container-load, for cleaning their rifles with or running their tanks on or something.
Today, though, this vast area has been transformed and is an exceptionally happy hunting ground, especially for those wine lovers bored with the wines of Bordeaux or miffed at Bordelais prices. Or put off by the dire reports of Bordeaux’s 2013 vintage.
Languedoc-Roussillon’s climate and terroir are both spot on, and a new generation of winemakers has gleefully spotted the region’s potential. They have invested heavily and are using modern vineyard practices and state-of-the-art machinery. 2013 was also a fine, if small, vintage here.
I recently joined the truffle-hound that is Jason Yapp on a whirlwind tour of the region and, true to form, Jason ran to ground some exceptional wines on our behalf, including two that he has agreed to import exclusively for us. These wines are simply not available anywhere else in Britain.
The first of these exclusives is the IGP Pays Duché d’Uzès ‘Amanalie’ 2012: Domaine Camp Galhan (1). A blend of Viognier (mainly), Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, it’s fresh, delicate and oak-free. It boasts delightfully creamy apricot fruit and a long, persistent savoury finish. It makes a great aperitif or partner to pot-roast chicken, although the wine-maker (and asparagus grower) Lionel Pourquier told us it’s best with new season’s asparagus. I absolutely love it and pat Jason firmly on the back for keeping it at just £10.75 a bottle when he reckons it should be £12.25.
The Côtes de Thongue Rosé 2013: Domaine Les Filles de Septembre (2) is another exclusive and only £8.95.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in