White

Viognier 2016 Mas La Chevaliere

Viognier may be the white grape of the Northern Rhone, but it has a place in Southern Languedoc too. This unoaked, fresh and zippy offering with viognier’s typical apricot scents is made by Chablis producer Laroche.

Picpoul De Pinet 2016 Domaine Gaujal

This is made from folle blanche (aka picpoul), one of the original vermouth grape varieties, now grown to make vibrant, lip-smackingly acidic whites. Grown near the famous salty lagoon Bassin de Thau near Montpellier. Expect a citrus, tangy, dry white with a salty edge.

La Soula Blanc 2009 Domaine Soula

Close to the Pyrenees in rugged Roussillon, this vin de pays des Côtes Catalanes from a blend of nine grapes is a revelation. With an emphasis on sauvignon blanc, macabeo, vermentino and grenache blanc, to create the most intense textured nutty, tangy white in the south.

Minervois Lo Mainatge 2012 La Croix de Saint Jean STAR BUY

I loved this silky, spicy, herby Minervois with its focused fruit and mineral tinge, made by Michel Fabre from 70 per cent grenache with 30 per cent syrah in cooler Les Causses.