You may have heard about the
difficulties of the 2013 vintage in Bordeaux and Burgundy...i.e. there won’t be
much wine! These may be the most famous regions but remember they are just a small
part of la belle France. There is one place where there are some fruity, spicy,
rich, simply fantastic (in fact downright sexy) wines this vintage. Yes, we’re
back in Tony’s old stomping ground, the Midi, Languedoc-Roussillon. And the
secret to finding the best wines? Working with true vignerons, guys who spend
most of their time in the vineyard where it all happens.
These guys are not always easy to
find. I’m sure Tony or our winemaker Mark will happily fill you in on my
mistake in planning our route. Yes there are two towns with the same name, and
yes they are 2 hours apart, and yes, we did end up driving all over the
Languedoc in the most ridiculous order imaginable. And we had to do a lot of driving
at night so even missed out on the view! But even if it was the long (very very
long) way round, it was worth the effort. From Joseph Bousquet at 4 Pilas, to
Baptiste at Domaine Torquebiau, le rugbyman Alain at Roquebrun and Jean-Luc
Terrier at Domaine Autugnac, we are going back to our roots, working closely
with these growers to find spectacular wines that over-deliver for the price. Pinot
Noir and Chardonnay too expensive and in short supply in Burgundy? Merlot been
decimated in Bordeaux? Alsacian Gewurztraminer in great demand? It’s all in the
Midi (yes even Gewurz), along with the more traditional inky dark Syrah and
Grenache, and mouth-watering Viognier and Roussanne. So forget all
the doom and gloom about 2013: it’s going to be the year to head south, go
where the sun shines, and drink up Midi style. But I won’t bore you with more
details. Read Tony’s blog here: http://lwcoukblog.wpengine.com/?p=162. He says it all.
