Mas de Bicary, Claude et Christine Rouquié

There has been well-organised wine production around Gaillac since the founding of the Abbaye St-Michel in 972AD though there is evidence of production considerably before this date.
The vines of le Mas de Bicary are to be found on south facing slopes on the right bank of the river Tarn.
The Rouquiés are hard working, uncomplicated and ambitious people who make excellent wines (practising lutte raisonnée), which rival anything, made in Gaillac. They continue to respect traditional methods whilst ignoring the current trend of producing red wines to be drunk very young. In this way you could say that they are old-fashioned in that they go for quality before quick profit. It is very unusual to be able to buy 8 vintages of red from one producer. Make the most of the opportunity before this rare pearl is discovered by too many.
We also stock their traditional Perlé (a crisp and very slightly fizzy white wine), a dry and a sweet still white their exceptional rosé and both brut and demi-sec Méthode Traditionnelle. There isn't a mediocre wine amongst them.

Cave de St. Sardos

This 'cave coopérative' is one to watch out for. The reds are excellent too. The appellation of St. Sardos is very small (450 acres) but many grape varieties are present. The microclimate, influenced by both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, together with excellent 'terroir' mean that these wines are unique.

Mixed Case

Wines from a selection of our producers.

L'Abbaye de Genne, Frédéric Lornet

The Lornets have been vignerons for several generations. Frédéric Lornet, a regular
prizewinner for his wines, works his vines using the method of 'culture raisonnée' (see glossary). Traditional grape varieties and methods are used here, (the Crémant since the 18th century). The wine is made in the beautifully restored buildings of an abandoned Cistercian abbey, where the monks produced wine from the 13th century onwards. If you have never been to the Jura, make the effort, as it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque regions of France.

Domaine Cauhapé, Henri Ramonteau

In the heart of Jurancon, between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic, the vineyard covers 40 hectares SE exposed slopes.
The extremes of the climate and quality of the soil, a mixture of clay, silica and stone allows us the varieties of the Jurancon: Gros and Petit Manseng to express themselves fully.

Chateau de Fontanche, Frédéric Lornet

Jura/Arbois producer Frédéric's new venture in the Languedoc. Knowing the quality of his Jura wines, we had no hesitation in stocking his first wines. These are fresh, full of fruit and lighter than many wines from this area. Beautiful!

Gift Packing

Durand and Valentin, Chateau de Lancyre, Pic Saint-Loup

We first tasted this wine in a restaurant in Nice, which was run by a couple from Montpellier, who had brought the wine with them. The food and wine were so good we went back again the next night and tracked down the producer on our following buying trip. We were received by Bernard Durand who was as welcoming and open as the wine he produces in the midst of stunningly wild countryside above Montpellier. ‘Culture Raisonnée’ is practised and the wines are of exceptional quality.

Vignobles Guilhem

Various Producers

Castillo Perelada, Catalunya

Clos Guirouilh, Jean Guirouilh

Jean Guirouilh quietly goes about the business of making some of the best, and most interesting white wines in France. With big, rough hands and a warm heart, the farmer crafts beautiful wines from the native Petit and Gros Manseng, from the dry but rich Jurancon Sec, the Sauternes-like Jurancon Moelleux to the hugely impressive Vendange Tardive and the ultimate luxury of the Petit Cuyalàa which comes from his top vineyard only in the great years.