Wine Region: Languedoc

(2026) Not from Katie Jones own domaine Jones, but made with fruit sourced from the local cooperative, mostly very old vine Carignan in the blend. Deep and vibrant crimson, there's a perfume to the nose, subtle rose and violet, and the sense of crunchy red fruits with a little smoky spice. Sweet fruited on the palate, perhaps a touch of residual sugar, but there's a breeziness to the acid that cuts through the 14.5% alcohol, though that touch of heat and some tannin is felt right in the finish. A barbecue basher I'd say. Angels pay £13.99 but please note the vintage on sale has moved on to 2024.

(2026) Coming from the Languedoc, this is a blend of Morrillon (chardonnay), Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc. Green apple and citrus dominate the nose, perhaps a touch of lime and also lightly figgy background. It's quite unusual on the palate, being both lightly honeyed and having a slightly grippy directness to the acid. It is a little sweet too, and for me the acid jars a little against that slightly cloying quality of sweetness. Angels pay £11.99, but note the 2023 is now listed only in magnum, bottles have moved on to the 2024 vintage at time of publication.

(2026) Blended in the Languedoc from Grenache and Cinsault, this pale salmon coloured pink has an attractive nose of small red berries, with hints of rose-hip and strawberry. Bags of sweet summer fruit on the palate, a cut of watermelon to the acidity and character, but very good ripeness and fruit sweetness on the mid-palate. Angel price is £8.99 at time of review, but please note the vintage has moved on to 2024.

(2026) Côte Brasserie's 'house white' is made near Limoux in the Languedoc and is an unoaked blend of Vermentino (Rolle) and Grenache Blanc. It's a zippy and vivacious wine, aromatic with some pear-drop lift to peachy fruit. On the palate it continues that theme: lots of bright, juicy citrus of lime and orange, medium weight and that nod towards peach or mango exotic fruit. Balance is good here, with a spangle burst of acidity that gives an extra bump of fruity freshness to the finish.

(2026) From seaside vineyards in the Languedoc, a crisp and textured Picpoul aged on its fine lees for several months. It has tang and ocean breeze brightness, juicy apple fruit and acidity that has a sprinkle of salt over lemon and lime.

(2026) This Languedoc Syrah is made with traditional winemaking methods and aged six months in barrel. Dense and saturated in colour, this is a highly aromatic, dark fruited Syrah with blueberry and damson juiciness immediately suggested aromatically, along with some sweet spices. The palate confirms that richness and ripeness, the oak worn quite lightly here just as a subtle tobacco and chocolate underpinning, but it is all about the plush and mouth-filling fruit. Tannins are also ripe but do a nice job of grounding the wine, as does the blueberry tartness of the acidity.

(2025) Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon is a Languedoc estate owned by Abbotts & Delaunay, so rooted in Burgundian winemaking. Organically grown grapes come from selected vineyards at higher than usual altitude near Limoux, grown on clay and limestone soils. It has a very attractive nose, just hinting at briar and sweet, damp earth, but more focused on a chestnutty, savoury fruit density. Sweet and supple fruit coats the mid-palate, some creamy oak adding depth, and the ripe, gentle tannins and acidity complete a most enjoyable picture. £18.99 as part of a mixed six and in Scotland and Wales.

(2025) From the Artisans Partisans, this is a zero dosage, organic sparkling wine made from 100% Mauzac. It was aged on the lees for 12 months, the fruit from limestone soils at 350 metres altitude. Limoux lays claim to making the world's first intentionally sparkling wines. The nose is fresh, herby and crisp, some nutty apple and a lightly bruised fruit quality comes through. The colour has the merest hint of bronze, and bubbles are moderate, but the palate is sparky-fresh, with light smoky mineral notes and zipping, obviously bone-dry, freshness. Very appealing in a bracing, vivid style.

(2025) A Burgundian-style, organic Chardonnay from limestone soils at 350 metres, given nine months in French oak barriques with regular batonnage. Pale lemony-straw in colour, the nose has a gently buttery, brazil-nut character, ripe stone fruits beneath. The palate is very nicely composed: there is spice and toast from the oak, which is fairly obvious for those who love or hate that style, but it is limpid with tropical fruit notes and plenty of fresh acidity from the limestone soils.

(2025) From the Cru of Boutenac in Corbières, this blend of 50% Carignan plus Grenache and Mourvèdre comes from plots of 60- to 100-year old bush vines. It is made stainless steel, and spends a year in tank and nine months in bottle before release. The name means 'So Be It' reflecting the 'hands-off' approach to making the wine. It is bright and buoyant, sappy and fresh, with a bold crimson colour heralding a crunchy red-fruited style. In the mouth the texture is creamy, the fruit fleshy and supple. I would have sworn there was a touch of coffee or chocolate from barrel, but it the dense, creamy and spicy fruit married to quite luxurious tannins that gives that impression. Bright acidity freshens the finish. Price and stockist quoted for the previous vintage at time of review.