France: South & South-West, including Savoie - Red
2016 Gold: 6 Silver: 6 Bronze: 5 Commended: 8
2015 Gold: 4 Silver: 8 Bronze: 6 Commended: 6
Our tasters are never quite sure what to expect from the South of France when it comes to reds. Are they good value or exercises in ego? Easy drinking or tough and intense? A wine list essential or a bit of an indulgence?
Unhelpfully, the answer to all of these questions is ‘yes’.
Like the whites, this was a big category, and plenty of submissions left with nothing, suggesting that winemaking by the French-speaking Med can be decidedly varied. Yet it also managed to provide good, interesting wines in a range of styles (you don’t get much further apart than Pinot Noir and Cahors) and at a range of prices.
This is important, because as several of our tasters pointed out, there’s still something of a glass ceiling for the South of France, with few punters willing to go above £40 unless held at gunpoint by a sommelier.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘A very attractive line-up – nicely made, and they ticked the right boxes. Wines from the South are becoming much better known, because they’re good.’ Angela Reddin, team leader
‘£35-£40 on a list is right at the top end for the Languedoc.’ Ian Howard, The White Hart Inn at Lydgate
‘There was a big difference in price points. The Languedoc reds were either very good value or very expensive – they tended to be a bit sexed up… there were only one or two that had good varietal character or good regional character.’ Matthieu Longuère MS, Le Cordon Bleu
‘Any wine needs drinkability. It needs to refresh – to put its arm around you and make you a friend. These were hard work, and I was surprised at that.’ Martin Lam, team leader
‘It was a good selection – lots of fruit. Some of the wines would have benefitted from a bit more ageing but they showed their potential.’ Mahesh Nair, Charlotte Street Hotel