Decanter June 2016

Top reds to try Domaine La Madura, Classic, St-Chinian AOC 2012 95 £13.90-£14.50 Flying Corkscrew, Le Bon Vin One of the best St-Chinian Syrah-based blends. Incredibly perfumed, layered with smoke, spice and dark cherries. Firm tannins and a long savoury finish. Drink 2017-2024 Alc 14% Anne Gros et Jean Paul Tollot, Les Carrétals, Minervois AOC 2012 94 £29.99 Albion Wine Shippers, Asset Wines, Domaine Direct Based on a tiny parcel of Carignan planted in 1909. Gamey red and black berries, with integrated oak spice and zingy acidity. Burgundian elegance allied to Minervois character. Drink 2016-2022 Alc 14% Clos de Gravillas, Lo Vielh, Côtes du Brian IGP 2013 94 £21.99 Hawkshead, Les Caves de Pyrène, No2 Pound St, PM Wine Cellars, Slurp Attractive palate is redolent of mulberries, blood oranges and…

Rosé, Languedoc-style When the temperature hits 30°C in the shade, most wine drinkers are more likely to reach for a bottle of white or rosé than a hearty red. Under the circumstances, it’s hardly surprising that the Languedoc, like Provence, has an established tradition of producing rosé wines. In fact, rosés account for 12% of all the wines produced in the region – that’s 2% more than white wines. Generally speaking, there is more diversity to the style of pink produced in the Languedoc than elsewhere in southern France. There are delicate, aromatic rosés that are reminiscent of the wines of Provence, as well as punchy wines whose deep colour hints at their ripeness and concentrated fruit flavours. As a general rule, however, Languedoc rosés tend to be dry and…

A fresh look at white From popular Picpoul de Pinet and Limoux sparklers to dynamic IGP producers, James Lawther MW gives an overview of today’s star performers Photograph: Céline et Gilles Deschamps/CIVL ‘Picpoul de Pinet is the largest white appellation in the south of France’ Among the Gold medals and Trophies awarded at the 2015 edition of the Decanter World Wine Awards, there were a couple of eye-catching choices made by the Languedoc panel. Two Languedoc whites were awarded Trophies, while a Picpoul de Pinet and white La Clape scooped Gold. Surprisingly perhaps, the Languedoc does produce dry white wine and, as these awards show, quality is on an upward curve. If you’re still a little fuzzy about Languedoc whites, it is understandable. Only 10% of the region’s production is…

Top whites to try Domaine Delmas, Cuvées des Sacres, Crémant de Limoux AOC 2011 89 N/A UK www.blanquettedelmas-bio.com Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac from selected parcels. Only the first press (cuvée) used. Fine and persistent bead. Citrus and apple notes. Real purity of expression. The palate is dry, long and refreshing. Drink 2016-2017 Alcohol 12.5% Château des Estanilles, L’Impertinent, Faugères AOC 2015 91 £13.75 (2014) Yapp Bros A blend of Marsanne and Roussanne with a touch of Viognier. Complex floral and herbal aromatics and flavours. Palate is round, supple and balanced. Minerally tension provides a long, persistent finish. Drink 2016-2019 Alc 13% Domaine d’Aupilhac, Les Cocalières, Languedoc AOC 2014 91 £17 (2011) Dulwich Vintners A blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Vermentino grown at an altitude…

Time out Home to diverse scenery and cultural riches, not to mention outstanding food and wine, this southern French region offers tourists a wealth of options, says Natasha Hughes MW Photograph: Jacob Winter/Alamy Stock Photo For many Brits, the south of France means Provence, but wine lovers know that there’s another south – one that may not boast as many celebrities and film festivals, but which repays visitors with apparently endless diversity. The Languedoc is a region of stunning landscapes, from rugged hills to golden beaches and snow-capped mountains. This is a land of great cultural richness, a place where the sun shines for 300 days a year, and where good food and good wine are considered an essential part of everyday life. On paper, the various viticultural regions of…

UK stockists Where to find the wines featured in this guide Albion Wine Shippers, London WC1 (www.albionwineshippers.co.uk) Alliance Wine, Ayrshire (www.alliancewine.co.uk) Asset Wines, London (www.assetwines.com) Bancroft, London SE1 (www.bancroftwines.com) Berry Bros & Rudd, London SW1 (www.bbr.com) Cambridge Wine Merchants (www.cambridgewine.com) Campbells of Leyburn (www.campbellsofleyburn.co.uk) Carruthers & Kent, Tyne & Wear (www.carruthersandkent.com) Domaine Direct, London (www.domainedirect.co.uk) Dulwich Vintners (www.dulwichvintners.co.uk) Ellis Wharton, Cornwall (www.ewwines.co.uk) Fareham Cellar, Hampshire (www.farehamwinecallar.co.uk) Flying Corkscrew, Hertfordshire (www.flyingcorkscrew.co.uk) Georges Barbier, London SE12 (www.georgesbarbier.co.uk) H2Vin, London (www.h2vin.co.uk) Hawkshead Wines, Banbury (www.hawksheadwines.co.uk) Hay Wines, Ledbury (www.haywines.co.uk) Inverarity Morton/Forth Wines, Glasgow (www.inveraritymorton.com) James Ingram, Peterborough (www.jamesingramwines.co.uk) James Nicholson, Co Down (www.jnwine.com) Joseph Barnes, Essex (www.josephbarneswines.com) Le Bon Vin, Sheffield (www.lebonvin.co.uk) Lea & Sandeman, London (www.leaandsandeman.co.uk) Leon Stolarski, Notts (www.lsfinewines.co.uk) Les Caves de Pyrène (www.lescaves.co.uk) Majestic (www.majestic.co.uk) Nethergate Wines, Suffolk (www.nethergatewines.com) No2…