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.

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.

Stretching south from the Rhône to the Med, the Camargue is a beautiful landscape, renowned for wild white horses, flamingoes and a wonderful national park. Less well known are its great wines. This Provence style pink comes from the historic Domaine Lamargue, where wine has been made since the 12th century.

Winemaker there is Nicolas Gornes, who trained in New Zealand, California, then with the Rothschild estate. He works with Jean Christophe, who was one of France’s first growers to go organic and Philippe Combe, who resigned as president of his local co-operative to support the organic movement.

Amazingly this fabulous elegant pink is made from 11 native red and white varieties. Fresh berries, mandarin and peach, it's a delectable rosé.