If you enjoy quality wine and appreciate value, southern France has a lot to offer. There is a myriad of appellations and producers to get to know. And fewer rules to follow, so winemakers can be creative. We have been wending our way around villages and vineyards there since the late 1960s so we know where to look and have many invaluable connections.

Yannick Pons of Domaine Saint André has a beautiful estate, skirted by the Canal du Midi and the Roman road Via Domitia. It's not far from the famous Oppidum (hilltop town) d’Ensérune, which dates back some 3,000 years. This is prime Chardonnay country, producing lovely, pure, creamy peach fruit in this modern style white. It’s perfect on its own or with salads, fish dishes or roast chicken.

Chenin Blanc is a neglected star grape that shines not only in the Loire, but also in the high slopes of Limoux. There you'll find grower Bruno Bouché tending his extensive patchwork of vineyards, with his wife and three sons. The family is from Champagne, they still have 3 hectares there, but they moved to the Languedoc in 1989 to carry on making award-winning sparkling wines that were more affordable. The grape quality from his beautifully tended vineyards is superb, which is why Chai winemaker Mark Hoddy every year reserves a vat of his Chenin Blanc.

Cool fermented with regular lees stirring, the wine has a creamy richness balanced by intense lemony zip. Le Masque is a fabulous white to enjoy solo or with seafood, noodles or chicken.

If you’re looking for a wine with the richness and complexity of a white Châteauneuf, but at a much more appealing price tag, Blanc Neuf is the perfect choice. Rich, exotic and mouthfilling, it’s a careful blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne courtesy of the Bonfils family, one of the leading names in southern France. With nearly 150 years of local expertise, the family have built a solid reputation for crafting top quality, good value wines. Blanc Neuf is sure proof. Their use of these Rhône varieties produces a rounded, creamy spice and ripe fruit white, reminiscent of a Châteauneuf Blanc. Displaying lively apricot flavours with a hint of hazelnut on the finish, it's richly layered and citrusy. Ideal with creamy chicken or salmon.