GREAT VALUE wine from the Languedoc

GREAT VALUE From the Languedoc

Wine dominates Languedoc - the Languedoc–Roussillon wine region stretches from below Perpignan in the South West to Arles in the Rhone – one vast vineyard covering approximately 170,000 hectare of vines, representing over a third of France’s total vineyard area. Wine has always been taken very seriously here. After getting a reputation for producing cheap and cheerful wines, 'Vin de Plonc' for France's homes and inexpensive restaurants, new vines were planted in the 1950’s as part of a general move to produce higher quality wines (A.O.C.).

A few miles North West of the picturesque town of Beziers (photo above and on contents page) past Puisserguier on the way to St Pons lies the village of St Chinian. It was from there with La Dournie's "Rouge Traditition" that Chateau Select's first import was made. The wine growing tradition of the area had been started by a group of monks some while before - around 826 AD. Pictures: Valérie Etienne (left) takes me through the Chateau's latest offerings and (top right) gives me a conducted tour of the Domaine.

Saint Chinian
Rouge
Tradition
(AOC)

£7.40
a bottle
sold in cases of 12

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for more information /
to order

Saint Chinian
Rouge De La
Dournie
2003

£6.50
a bottle
sold in cases of 12

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for more information /
to order

Domaine de
Mairan
Chardonnay Les
Hauts de Mairan

£6.95
a bottle
sold in cases of 12

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for more information /
to order

Domaine de
Mairan
Chardonnay
Classique

£6.25
a bottle
sold in cases of 12

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for more information /
to order

Another favourite of mine in the Beziers area is the Domaine de Mairan. Although the Hachette Guide gives an honourable mention to their Cabernet Sauvignon, I've homed in on their two Chardonnays. Like the Etiennes, the Peitavys have been growing wine on their domaine for generations. Jean Peitavy (pictured top left and with his wife in front of their Chateau 2nd from left) currently runs the business, while his son Luc looks after the neighbouring Domaine de Mallemort.

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM CHATEAU LA DOURNIE

Chateau Etienne La Dournie Cuvée Spéciale (AOC).
Similar to the Tradition but oak-matured. "It has lovely length and style and is excellent," says Tom Canavan at Wine-page.com.
Price £8.95 - Click here to order.
Chateau La Dournie Rosé
Beautiful pink colour. Soft and creamy in the mouth with outstanding strawberry / raspberry flavours. Gentle finish.
Price £6.60 - Click here to order.
Chateau La Dournie Merlot
A generously fruity and smooth wine from this popular grape.
Price £6.50 - Click here to order.
Monts de la Gange.
5 litre vacuum packed boxes. The economical way of enjoying wine as and when you want it without waste.
Price £28.00 - Click here to order.