THE GOLDEN GLOW SOUTH OF FRANCE

In the South, it’s a breath of fresh Gallic air, where the wines blossom with bright flavours and approachable personalities

Down along France’s southern coast, the restrictions of the Appellation Contrôlée system in general give way to a freedom around vine cultivation. The benign climate delivers long, sunny days for ripening, while a moderating coastal influence keeps much disease at bay.

The Rothschild-owned Domaine de Baronarques is located in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, an area that starts just north of the border with Spain and runs along the coast. Towards Provence is Minervois, where Anne Gros and her Burgundian winemaking husband Paul Tollot craft their excellent expressions from Carignan and Syrah under their Gros-Tollot label.

Here, too, Domaine Paul Mas, savvy producers of the dynamic Arrogant Frog label, produce a great range of Vin de Pays wines that includes their singular old vine Carignan, and just prior to entering Provence itself, the intriguing and original Puech-Haut produce a striking rosé.