With airlines cancelling everyone’s holidays right now, let’s bring a splash of Southern French sunshine to our lives. These wines are made by two superstar winemakers of the South France who between them, make huge amounts of wines of all styles and levels across the key appellations of Languedoc and Roussillon. They are Jean-Claude Mas from Paul Mas and Gérard Bertrand.
Paul Mas Heritage Clairette du Languedoc 2020
Veteran wine producer Jean-Claude Mas, descendant of Paul Mas has launched an initiative to nurture the lesser known, heritage wine grapes from the region. This wine is made with 100% Clairette and comes from the smallest and most historic appellation in the Languedoc in the South of France. Clairette has been produced for over 2,500 years in the area, since the time of Greeks and Romans. Jean-Claude uses his expertise to see how the grape responds to different soils and microclimates and has coaxed it into a delicious, soft white wine here with floral notes and flavours of apple citrus and white flowers. Try this with grilled fish and white meats. This was voted as one of the top 100 wines of Southern France at a prestigious competition recently.
Find it for £9 from Sainsbury’s
Gérard Bertrand 'Côte des Roses' Rosé 2021
You may recognise Gérard Bertrand as he’s a famous ex rugby rugby player turned acclaimed winemaker. Rosé from this part of France tends to have a little more generosity of fruit than the drier, Provence styles. This bottle is beautifully sculpted too to look like a rose. You’ll want to keep it for your water in any case. Think summer pudding, redcurrant, strawberry, pink grapefruit and roses and grapefruit. Try it with baked white fish and fresh seasonal salads. In 2022, this wine won an IWC award for the 2021 vintage.
Find it for £10.99 mixed six price from Majestic
Orange Gold Organic 2020
Another from Gérard Bertrand, this is his first organic orange wine, made in a Georgian style with southern French flair. Orange wine was the original wine style first practiced over 4,500 years ago. It's a blend of seven classic French white grapes, Chardonnay, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac and Muscat where the wine is left in contact with the grape skins to give colour and complexity. Think layers of peach, pear, flowers, lemon and ginger with a light bitterness on the finish. Try it with with hard cheeses and spicy dishes.
Find it for £14.99 mix six price from Majestic
See what else we’ve been tasting on talkTV here!