The eleventh Sud de France Top 100 wines Discovery Tasting took place in London in October 2023 and much to our pleasure The Foody Traveller was once again invited to attend this prestigious event.
Occitanie
Each year the event brings together a selection of the best wines produced in the vineyards of Languedoc and Roussillon, part of the Rhône Valley and the Southwest of France.
Collectively known as Occitanie, and traditionally known for the large-volume production of relatively inexpensive red wines, these days growers offer a much greater diversity of colours and styles—and place far more emphasis on quality, without losing sight of value for money.
413 entries
2023 saw 413 wines entered by 131 producers, encompassing prestige wines, sustainable and organic production, independent producers, private cellars, cooperatives, negociants and familiar big names.
These were all blind-tasted and retasted by a panel of 18 top writers and principal trade buyers, chaired as usual by Master of Wine Tim Atkin. He describes this year’s final hundred as “a seriously smart group of wines, all of which offer outstanding value for money… The Sud de France is making the best wines in its history and… the diversity is amazing.”
The list seemed heavier on reds than last year, but there were also plenty of still whites and rosés to try, together with just the one sparkler: Sieur d’Arques deliciously fragrant, fizzy Blason Rouge NV AOP Crémant de Limoux.
Our favourites
Wines had been grouped by region first, and only then by tasting order (light to heavy, white to red), necessitating a meandering route around the tables.
Of the 20 or so wines we managed to try, our other favourites included two oaky offerings from Château Puech-Haut Tête de Bélier, a lovely white from 2021 and an even classier dark red from 2020.
We also loved: Mas Du Novi’s smooth red Prestigi 2019; Minervois Château D’Agel’s In Extremis 2021, another oaked red, smooth yet characterful; and white Mas Bécha’s Hipgnosis 269 2020, a blend of Vermentino, Grenache Blanc and Maccabeu.
Organisers’ highlights
Wines made from old vines (up to 100 years old) include: Domaine Lafage Grenache Blanc; Domaine Aichoux, Carignan; Clos Aguilem, Carignan. Orange wine from Domaine Lafage. A range of indigenous grape varieties from Château Escabe. Domaine Aichoux an association employing people with disabilities.
Some of the vineyards are at high altitude – approximately 660m.A relatively new domaine in Languedoc La Chapelle St Matthieu from the acclaimed estate Domaine La Rectorie. A piquepoul from Richemer in IGP Côtes de Thau.
More information
Given that we only tried around 20% of what was on offer, it seems only fair to conclude by quoting in its entirety Sud de France’s own broader list of highlights: