2017 Southern France

Domaine de Montmarin lies among the hills running down to the Mediterranean to the west of Cap d’Agde in the Côtes de Thongue appellation. It covers around 350 hectares, of which just over 120 are planted with vines. The owner, Philippe de Bertier, is a charming individual who, with the help of his consultant oenologist and maître de chai Bertrand Waris makes exceptionally good and well-presented varietal IGP wines.

This fleshy, fruit-driven red is loaded with plummy, blackberry fruit. The palate is very juicy with more ripe blackberries and a soft but moreish finish. The tannins are very fine and the acidity is in balance with everything else, making this a very easy-drinking wine, perfect for a glass or two over lunch. Drink now to 2020.

Capturing the essence of Provençal charm, the epitome, perhaps, of Matisse’s “luxe, calme et volupté”; the Perrin family (of Château de Beaucastel fame) continues to provide the expertise and winemaking skills at Miraval – which delivers year in, year out. Their 2017 rosé is gloriously pale, dry and pure. Aromas of wild raspberries and redcurrants play against a herbal backdrop. Utterly refreshing, the wine’s graceful texture is balanced by red-cherry acidity, with notes of strawberry and fennel on the mid-palate. It’s perfect summer drinking (especially in large-format).