Chateau la Conseillante is a family owned (Nicolas) property in Pomerol. Jean-Michel Laporte is responsible for the running and for the winemaking since a handful of years. The 12 ha vineyard is planted with mainly
After having worked for Cinzano in Swizerland and as a wine buyer sourcing wine for German sekt producers, Bruno Pellegrini decided to study oenology to be able to start his own winery. In 1990 he
Domaine Pierre Frick was one of the first biodynamic producers that we got to know. Their wines are full-bodied and full of flavour. Some are made entirely without sulphur (which is very unusual). It is
Another small biodynamic recommendation this month. Classic, quite tannic and structured Bordeaux wines is the hall mark of Pierre Blois at Château Moulin du Cadet in Saint Emilion, just a short walk from the village.
It’s a small property of only 4 hectares that has recently converted to biodynamic farming. They will have completed their Demeter certification next year. The production is artisan, they avoid adding any substances and in
After 30 years as responsible for the wine production at the famous Rhône producer Paul Jaboulet Aîné in Tain l’Hermitage Philippe Jaboulet, together with his son Vincent, started off on his own and created Domaine
Miguel Louro, who also works as a dentist in Evora (and looks a bit like Salvador Dalí), and his sun Luis run this high quality winery owning 30 ha in Alentejo. “Our wines are hand
To the north in Alentejo you can find Monte de Penha. Francisco and Veronica Fina made their first vintage in 1999. The winery is not far from the town of Portalegre, 100 km from the
Sister and brother couple Marie and François Giraud took over this property from their father ten years ago and have today 19 hectares. They have great respect for the appellation and the terroir but have
A family property that is run by the husband-wife couple Fabienne and Philippe Gamet. They have 8.6 hectares of vines around Epernay. Brut Séléction can be had for 12.50€ at the winery. It is made
Interview with Volker Paul Weindel, winemaker and owner since 1996 of Domaine la Tour des Videaux in Pierrefeu de Provence close to Massif des Maures. We are in the vineyards in winter before the vines
Martine Pagès and Christophe Molinier are both trained oenologists. They run this 50 ha family property in the Corbières in Languedoc. They have 10 ha in the sub-appellation Boutenac with its stony soil. They took
There are many, often small, French appellations that are unfortunately far too little known. Sometimes one wonders if the wines wouldn’t be better known (which is important) and easier to sell (even more important) if
Life is such (or is it business?) that cooperatives often have difficulties aiming for top quality. The small cooperative Champagne Mailly, based in the Grand Cru village Mailly of course, is one that succeeds in
– Chateau Prieuré Borde Rouge is well on its way to join the big names of the Languedoc. They have already received numerous prizes for their very elegant and fruit-filled wines. The property comprises 23
Julien Blanchard is young but already a very accomplished winemaker and we will no doubt hear more about him in the future, if I am not entirely mistaken. His wines are very well made, with
A small co-operative with some 1000 hectares. They have invested heavily in quality development in recent years and now work closely together with the individual growers. Stephan Clement, the winemaker, comes from Champagne and finds
Côtes de Duras Côtes de Duras is today perhaps a not very well know district, located only 45 km from Saint Emilion, but that may well change. There are many similarities with St Emilion, both
Marjorie Gallet was only 23 when she in 2001, without a penny in her pocket, decided to settle in Roussillon to become winegrower. She had an opportunity to buy an old property of 10 ha
Coume del Mas is close to the village Cousprou, between Collioure and Banyuls. The soil is poor, dominated by slate that gives a strong backbone and fresh acidity to the wines. The main grape variety
A biggish and well-maintained property with 170 ha of vines in the heart of Entre-deux-Mers. Since 1990 it belongs to the négociant CVBG-Dourthe-Kressman and they have put a substantial 4€M of investments into it. They
Cave d’Embres et Castelmaure, Corbières, Languedoc To reach the village of Embres et Castelmaure (yes, that’s how its called) you have to follow narrow, winding roads, beautiful and remote and full of game hunters in
A quality-oriented co-operative (especially in recent times) in the middle of the very picturesque village of Collioure. The winery is in what was previously a Dominican monastery from the 13th century. They have put in
An excellent producer in the beautiful Pic St Loup area a bit north of Montpellier. The Ravaille family owns the property since a few hundred years back. The current generation is the fifth with the
Isabelle and Mathieu Champart is a charming wine maker couple who fell in love with the spectacular scenery in Saint Chinian, one of the appellations in the Languedoc region, a bit to the north of
David Fourtout is the winemaker and owner of this excellent winery in Bergerac, a little bit east of Bordeaux. In the recently built winery building he has installed specially designed fermentation tanks to achieve the
A small wine property, as is common in Saint Emilion, of only 6 hectares of vines, but one that is moving upwards on the wine quality scale. It is situated strategically between two more famous
Do you like the really character-full, almost caricature style of Syrah – smoky, tarry, charcuteri, freshly ground pepper…? Then you should definitely try the Crozes-hermitage from Alain Graillot. Fabulous wines for Syrah addicts. Alain was
The Roumage family has been making wine in St Germain du Puch since the end of the 19th century and now, for the first time, it is a woman, Estelle, who is in charge. She
Since 2002 it is run by the two young sisters Cathy and Sandrine Héraud, sixth generation winemakers in the family who owns this 28 hectare property in northern Médoc. They are both full of enthusiasm
Chateau la Conseillante is a family owned (Nicolas) property in Pomerol. Jean-Michel Laporte is responsible for the running and for the winemaking since a handful
After having worked for Cinzano in Swizerland and as a wine buyer sourcing wine for German sekt producers, Bruno Pellegrini decided to study oenology to
Domaine Pierre Frick was one of the first biodynamic producers that we got to know. Their wines are full-bodied and full of flavour. Some are
Another small biodynamic recommendation this month. Classic, quite tannic and structured Bordeaux wines is the hall mark of Pierre Blois at Château Moulin du Cadet
It’s a small property of only 4 hectares that has recently converted to biodynamic farming. They will have completed their Demeter certification next year. The
After 30 years as responsible for the wine production at the famous Rhône producer Paul Jaboulet Aîné in Tain l’Hermitage Philippe Jaboulet, together with his
Miguel Louro, who also works as a dentist in Evora (and looks a bit like Salvador Dalí), and his sun Luis run this high quality
To the north in Alentejo you can find Monte de Penha. Francisco and Veronica Fina made their first vintage in 1999. The winery is not
Sister and brother couple Marie and François Giraud took over this property from their father ten years ago and have today 19 hectares. They have
A family property that is run by the husband-wife couple Fabienne and Philippe Gamet. They have 8.6 hectares of vines around Epernay. Brut Séléction can
Interview with Volker Paul Weindel, winemaker and owner since 1996 of Domaine la Tour des Videaux in Pierrefeu de Provence close to Massif des Maures.
Martine Pagès and Christophe Molinier are both trained oenologists. They run this 50 ha family property in the Corbières in Languedoc. They have 10 ha
There are many, often small, French appellations that are unfortunately far too little known. Sometimes one wonders if the wines wouldn’t be better known (which
Life is such (or is it business?) that cooperatives often have difficulties aiming for top quality. The small cooperative Champagne Mailly, based in the Grand
– Chateau Prieuré Borde Rouge is well on its way to join the big names of the Languedoc. They have already received numerous prizes for
Julien Blanchard is young but already a very accomplished winemaker and we will no doubt hear more about him in the future, if I am
A small co-operative with some 1000 hectares. They have invested heavily in quality development in recent years and now work closely together with the individual
Côtes de Duras Côtes de Duras is today perhaps a not very well know district, located only 45 km from Saint Emilion, but that may
Marjorie Gallet was only 23 when she in 2001, without a penny in her pocket, decided to settle in Roussillon to become winegrower. She had
Coume del Mas is close to the village Cousprou, between Collioure and Banyuls. The soil is poor, dominated by slate that gives a strong backbone
A biggish and well-maintained property with 170 ha of vines in the heart of Entre-deux-Mers. Since 1990 it belongs to the négociant CVBG-Dourthe-Kressman and they
Cave d’Embres et Castelmaure, Corbières, Languedoc To reach the village of Embres et Castelmaure (yes, that’s how its called) you have to follow narrow, winding
A quality-oriented co-operative (especially in recent times) in the middle of the very picturesque village of Collioure. The winery is in what was previously a
An excellent producer in the beautiful Pic St Loup area a bit north of Montpellier. The Ravaille family owns the property since a few hundred
Isabelle and Mathieu Champart is a charming wine maker couple who fell in love with the spectacular scenery in Saint Chinian, one of the appellations
David Fourtout is the winemaker and owner of this excellent winery in Bergerac, a little bit east of Bordeaux. In the recently built winery building
A small wine property, as is common in Saint Emilion, of only 6 hectares of vines, but one that is moving upwards on the wine
Do you like the really character-full, almost caricature style of Syrah – smoky, tarry, charcuteri, freshly ground pepper…? Then you should definitely try the Crozes-hermitage
The Roumage family has been making wine in St Germain du Puch since the end of the 19th century and now, for the first time,
Since 2002 it is run by the two young sisters Cathy and Sandrine Héraud, sixth generation winemakers in the family who owns this 28 hectare
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