To the Languedoc and back again: Bancroft's Mike reports...

Recently, Bancroft's very own Mike Unsworth and Managing Director Neil McAndrew recently took a trip over the channel to tour the realms the South of France in the company of some of their favourite vinous chums. Mike Unsworth reports:

"This time three weeks ago, we were stood on a plateau in the hills of the Languedoc, looking over the expansive vineyards of Domaine Cabrials. While our guests filmed the winemaker and quizzed him about a wine anorak's favourite subjects - soil types, pH levels, clonal selection and the like - we took a step back behind the camera and enjoyed a moment's rest with a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Bancroft takes to the Languedoc with Domaine de Mus, Domaine de l’Hortus and Viranel

New recruit Ben McVeigh-Whitaker reports...

Bancroft's Ben, Mike, and Jason with Camilla from the Somerset Wine Company, Toby Webster from Black Dog Wines, Phil Innes from Loki Wines in Birmingham, Nick Underwood and William Mason.

Last week, Bancroft visited the Languedoc with 5 lucky customers to visit three of our producers and witness the harvest in action. It is always a treat to go and visit the wineries, see the terroir and meet the people behind the wines. But to see the harvest in action was very exciting. There is a sense of excitement all around, with picker in the vineyards, tractors and vineyard machinery buzzing around the country lanes, fully ripe grapes everywhere you look, and a great sense of anticipation in the air!

Loving the Languedoc: great value wines with heritage

The Languedoc-Roussillon is a hidden gem often overlooked yet at Bancroft we have been championing the region’s wines for many years, with fabulous producers who offer an unparalleled wealth of riches for the eagle-eyed, price-conscious consumer. A revolution in winemaking in the region coupled with cheap land means that quality, consistency and variety has never been better. Unperturbed by harvest time hail and liberated by the introduction of the Vins de Pays AOC, producers can take advantage of the vast swathes of scrubland at their disposal and play. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Muscat and Malbec, Viognier and Grenache rub shoulders, side by side often in the same vineyard. Unusual blends offer top quality at basement prices and unexpected varietals off er a new take on old favourites.

Don't miss out on what the Languedoc can offer: variety, value for money and heritage. We have selected  some of our favourite wines from the region with wines that offer great variety, good value and heritage.

Life through Jason's wine glass: Sud de France Languedoc-Roussillon trip January 2015

Last month Bancroft's Jason Busby headed down to the South of France for vinous explorations and all manner of interesting food. A foodie as much as a wino, here he reports on his findings, provides an insight into how we source our wine and what we look for as well as visiting a few of our current suppliers...

"the Langedoc-Rous is a hidden gem with great value wines that are over looked by the more well-known areas of Bordeaux and The Rhone."

"This was a well organised trip by the Sud de France team where approximately 150 wine buyers from around the world - America to China, Germany to Brazil congregated for the the Languedoc-Roussillon tasting of 1500 wines coupled with the Biologique festival both at the expo in Montpellier.

Team review: Chateau de la Negly, Vin des Pays d’Oc, Oppidum Chardonnay 2012

Sean Burbridge one of our Account Managers reviews the latest offering from Chateau de La Negly. 

Chateau de la Negly, Vin des Pays d’Oc, Oppidum Chardonnay 2012

This smartly packaged wine is a new addition to the Chateau de la Negly range and unusually for this property, it is a single varietal. 

Jancis Robinson gives Mas Amiel Vintage 2008 18 points

In her recent article on fortified wine, Jancis Robinson has reviewed Mas Amiel's Maury 2008 and has given it 18 points out of 20.

Red Squirrel Wine reviews Aromes Sauvages, Alicante-Bouschet 2011

Chateau Viranel's Aromes Sauvages Alicante-Bouschet 2011 has been reviewed on youtube by our friends at Red Squirrel Wine.

Mas Amiel's Plaisir Blanc is Decanter's Wine of the month

Mas Amiel's Plaisir Blanc has just been rated as Decanter Magazine's best value wine of the month.

Patricia Langton visits Mas Amiel, Languedoc

Interesting article by Patricia Langton on her blog about her visit to Mas Amiel, Languedoc.

A visit to Mas Amiel

On a recent trip to the Languedoc for my honeymoon I decided to visit Mas Amiel in the Agly Valley near Maury.