It’s a rarely known fact that the Languedoc was the first French region to be introduced to viticultural practices by the Romans. This balmy red wine country took a hit in the 1980s when it became known for high volume wine, which lacked quality. But today, that quality is back thanks to passionate and dedicated Languedoc enthusiasts, such as Laurent Guillot. Born into a fourth generation Burgundian wine family, Laurent decided to head south and create an estate of his own. A north meets south style is evident in this spicy, supple red. With this wine he won Gold, crafting an authentic expression of the wild, sun-blessed terroir. Syrah based, it’s laden with blackberry and peppery spice, with a pep of fresh red fruit from Négrette.

Cabalié's popularity is down to a rare combination of imposing richness and easy drinking smoothness. Recreating that in white was no easy task. But Cabalié maestro Hervé Sabardeil has done it – years of searching, blending and hard work come to fruition in this, his ultimate expression of a southern French white. The magical grape mix is old-vine Viognier for intense honeysuckle aroma and soft texture, Muscat for dazzling grapey notes, and Colombard to keep it all zesty. And of course the other key ingredients are bright southern French sunshine, which ripens the grapes to perfection, sea breezes to keep them healthy and night harvesting to ensure maximum freshness. Bursting with tropical fruit, Cabalié is perfect with seafood or 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.

The mission for the wines made at Le Chai Mediterranné is to make classic Grand Cru styles at a good value price. So our winemaker, Mark Hoddy, sources grapes not from the pricy, famous-name appellations, but from tucked-away vineyards where the quality is outstanding. This poised, elegant white is crafted very much like a fine white Burgundy, yet the fruit is from the Languedoc.

Mark sources the best Chardonnay grapes of the vintage from trusted growers, many from cooler sites to retain that tantalising bite of freshness and minerality in the finished wine. Ageing on lees in barrel lends a creamy rounded texture and complexity to Le Champ. Yet the fruit remains foremost. Gently chill and enjoy with creamy white meat dishes or salmon.