FRANCE: South & South West: Whites | Sommelier Wine Awards Winners 2015

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Winner Details

France: South & South-West – Whites

2015: Gold 1 Silver 3 Bronze 7 Commended 8
2014: Gold 0 Silver 5 Bronze 9 Commended 7

If you’ve found the procession of £10+ wines so far in the French results rather wearing, then this is the section for you. Plenty of good value for money throughout the medals, in a variety of styles from richer to lip-smackingly fresh. No Picpoul medals, which was a surprise, but plenty to like here all the same, not least a genuinely good sub-£6 Gold.

From the Tasting Teams

‘There were plenty of wines of real interest in this group – producers sticking to their guns with what they believe is their style of wine. I would list them because of these points of interest, as great alternatives that aren’t just another Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.’ Jonathan Kleeman, The Ritz Hotel

‘Easy to drink, easy to like and easy wines for people to understand. They would definitely sell.’ Christine Parkinson, Hakkasan Group

‘We don’t have French wines on our list, but tasting these made me think…’ Luigi Buonanno, Bianco43
‘Most people just want something clean, fresh and zingy, and this is what these wines deliver.’ Richard Brooks, Caroline Catering

‘I had very low expectations but the wines delivered very well, were well priced, showed nice concentration and character. They would fit on to my list as a second option after the house wine.’ Olivier Marie, team leader

‘Few of these are going to set the world on fire, but if I was sitting in a restaurant or pub and given a glass, I’d be very happy.’ Jade Koch, team leader

Award winners

Found 19 wines

France: South & South-West, White

Jeanjean, Mas Neuf, Muscat Sec, Pays d'Oc 2014, Languedoc, France

Good value, fine balance and the interest factor brought Jeanjean the first Gold. ‘Intense, punchy spice on the nose, with red apple on the palate and subtle tropical fruit and more spice,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House. ‘Floral nose, delicate and soft, with pear drops, spicy, oily and dry,’ agreed team leader Jade Koch.

'Grapefruity, fresh and peachy, with a slight bitterness like marmalade,' said Winnie Eckardt of The French Table.

£5.95 Molson Coors

Boutinot, Clos Bagatelle, St-Chinian Blanc 2013, Languedoc, France

‘Clean aromas, with a medium intensity, nice floral character, primary fruit with honeysuckle, yellow plum notes and cinnamon spice,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Palate has a nice weight, long length and complex marzipan and dried nuts.’

£8.50 Boutinot

Boutinot, Domaine de Vedilhan, Serica, Viognier Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

‘Wood and grapefruit zest on the nose, leading to a nearly creamy palate that is dry, full of texture and density. Impressive,’ noted Athila Roos of The Arts Club, with Room 24’s Michael Moore recommending scallops as a good match.

£5.85 Boutinot

LGI-Wines, Baron de Baussac, Viognier Pays d'Oc 2014, Languedoc, France

‘Floral, lime blossom and stone fruit aromas with fresh apple blossom notes, good weight and a hint of richness on a well-balanced palate, said team leader Olivier Marie. ‘Salty, peachy and buttery, with a broad palate and floral finish,’ added Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group.

£5.75 Majestic Commercial

Domaine Lafage, Cuvée Centenaire Blanc, Côtes du Roussillon 2014, Roussillon, France

‘Ripe and tropical, mineral and citrusy on the palate, with good acid and a fresh finish,’ began team leader Andrea Briccarello, with Athila Roos of The Arts Club adding: ‘Apple and fresh-cut grass, vibrant and elegant.’

£10.04 Bibendum

Delas, Viognier Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

‘Floral, with an earthy edge, decent length on a juicy palate, with some intensity and warmth,’ began Christine Parkinson of Hakkasan Group, with team leader Olivier Marie adding: ‘Notes of lanolin, honey and wax, with nice texture and a phenolic finish.’

£7.13 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Cazes, Le Canon du Maréchal, Muscat/Viognier Côtes Catalanes 2014, Roussillon, France

‘Spicy Turkish delight style with tropical notes on the palate, a nice mouthfeel and medium-length finish,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with James Hocking of The Vineyard Group adding: ‘Almondy flavours and crisp acidity.’

£8.35 Liberty Wines

GCF Exclusif, Domaine de la Baume, Chardonnay Pays d'Oc 2014, Languedoc, France

‘Peach, white blossoms and almond on the nose, good balance of acidity, with light smoky minerals and a good, almondy finish,’ said Luigi Buonanno of Bianco43, with Hakkasan Group’s Christine Parkinson adding: ‘Grassy, floral, grapey and toasty.’

£6.85 Matthew Clark, Wine Importers

Tournée du Sud, Viognier Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

‘Aromatic, with peachy suggestions on the nose, a dry finish to a zingy and elegant palate,’ said team leader Andrea Briccarello. Athila Roos of The Arts Club added: ‘Apricot and white flowers with a hint of verbena. Great value and complexity at this price.’

£6.44 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Gérard Bertrand, Naturalys, Viognier Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

‘Delicious,’ began Athila Roos of The Arts Club, continuing: ‘A very clean and mineral expression, with lemon oil drizzled over hot stones. Nearly chalky mineral, with a dense texture and layered finish.’

£8.78 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Grauzan, Sauvignon Blanc Pays d'Oc 2014, Languedoc, France

‘Fresh and zingy citrus fruit flavours, very light but good as an aperitif or with salads and summer buffets,’ suggested Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. ‘Grassy and refreshing, with clean, light aromatic notes,’ agreed team leader Jade Koch.

£6.16 Eurowines

Oliver & Roland Gessler, Domaine de Jöy, l'Eclat, Côtes de Gascogne 2014, South-West France, France

£7.30 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Domaine Cauhapé, Chants des Vignes, Jurançon Sec 2014, South-West France, France

£9.02 Bibendum

LGI-Wines, St Désir, Sauvignon Blanc, Côtes de Gascogne 2014, South-West France, France