Languedoc-Roussillon

Château Fontarèche is one of the great historic wine estates of the Languedoc; with records which mention vines on the property as far back as 1350. Located in the Corbières appellation, the estate produces wines under this name as well as a wide selection of fruit-forward single-varietal Pays d’Oc wines.

This vibrant, fleshy white has lots of fresh acidity despite its warm southern origin. The nose shows peach, sherbet and blossom, while the palate moves to more generous stone-fruit with hints of citrus and a clean, slightly honeyed, finish. Drink now to 2020.

A deliciously crisp and vibrant wine which shows intense citrus notes on the nose and palate. Its fresh acidity makes this incredibly thirst-quenching, while the gentle minerality and delicate saline note on the finish makes a second glass almost irresistible. This is the perfect match for a plate of fresh oysters, though it will happily sit alongside any other shellfish dishes.
Oliver Barton, Wine Buyer

Family-owned Antech is the most prestigious producer in Limoux and we are delighted to have worked exclusively with Françoise Antech, from the sixth generation of the family, to craft this wonderfully expressive Crémant de Limoux.

A blend of 70 percent Chardonnay and 15 percent each of Chenin Blanc and Mauzac, aged traditionally and generously on its lees, this is a beautiful, balanced wine, with elegant aromas of orchard fruit and honeyed spice. The palate marries more exotic fruits with a clean, pebbly backdrop and an impressive depth of flavour.

.. Pierre-André Ournac, the owner of this 40ha estate, is extremely knowledgeable and strives to produce interesting wines that show a sense of place. He is regularly adding experimental plantings of new varieties to the region in order to push the boundaries on the wines he is making.

This 30-hectare estate is run by Thierry Parcé and his son Jean-Emmanuel. The family produce both dry and fortified wine styles of exceptional quality, aided by their old vines, steep terraces, vinification practices and picking times. Plantings of different varieties are mixed in the vineyards and yields are very low, helping to create incredibly concentrated wines.

Bright, dark purple in colour, the nose combines blackcurrant and black cherry with generous raspberry notes. Savoury spice notes are supported by garrigue and herbal notes that are so typical of the wine’s Roussillon origin. Firm, grainy tannins are balanced by vibrant acidity and a saline character that adds complexity and structure. Long finish. Drink now to 2024.

Mas Conscience is located in the highly sought after Terrasses du Larzac, 35 kilometres northwest of Montpellier. A blend of Grenache and Syrah, the two combing to form a nose of red berries, schist, rose petal and tar whilst the palate is intense and rounded, as one would expect of a benevolent vintage such as 2009.
Nicholas Stewart, Wine Buying

The charismatic Jean-Michel Alquier represents the fifth generation of this, the top property in Faugères. Faugères was lucky enough to break away from the heterogeneous Coteaux du Languedoc umbrella appellation as far back as 1982, although some may say that it has yet to perform strongly on the export market. Given the forceful personality of M Alquier, allied to the eloquence of his wines, one would be unwise to nominate anyone else to be an ambassador for the region.

The Faugères soil is dominated by grey schist, friable schist apparently, if that is not oxymoronic. The resulting wines, where vines are old and yields are low, as here, can be rich, savoury and take on complex gamey notes with maturity. Located just to the north-east of Beziers, Faugères deserves more attention.

The significance of the eponymous yellow house is not entirely clear. What is clear is that this is a prestige cuvée, made up of 80% old vine Grenache and aged for 14 months in barriqus, 10% of which are new.  The wine has an attractive nose of cherry, praline and woodsmoke; the palate is creamy and dense, with balancing acidity, hints of garrigue and a rounded finish, full of Mediterranean warmth. 
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer