Serres & Co. Languedoc Rouge

We’re down in genuinely Wild France here, some of it looks just as you’d imagine the French countryside of the 17th Century to be, some of it looks like Namibia and some of it looks quite like the Moon for goodness sake. It’s an astonishing region, small parcels of vines nestle amongst ancient swathes of Mediterranean oaks and tuck into the many and varied folds in the landscape. The soil colours change abruptly and dramatically every few hundred metres and the dominant shoulders of Mount Baudile and its outlying peaks form a vast natural amphitheatre. The light here is truly brilliant, it’s an area teeming with wildlife, criss-crossed with ancient pathways and literally carpeted with aromatic wild herbs. It would be an incredibly positive and energising place to be even if there weren’t vineyards here but the fact that there are makes it this close ... (finger and thumb really, really close together at this point) ... to perfect

The estate is certified organic across all its vineyards, limiting sprays and only using organic compost such as grapes from green harvest and sheep manure from local shepherds. Local honey producers have situate their hives close by the Clos du Serres vineyards too as their farming methods pose no threat to the bees. Grasses are left to grow between vines throughout the summer which prevents soil erosion and maintains good access to water for the vines and other flora.

Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan

Small plots from around the local villages are found through local knowledge and established friendships, most importantly though the wines have to meet the same high standards as the estate production. Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan is grown on a mixture of shale and sandstone soils and just like the estate wines there isn't a barrel in site with only concrete used for ageing, in this case for 3 months.

60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Carginan.

The first wine from the 'Serres & Co.' range - a project focussed on finding small plots to give free rein to imagination and creativity.

This might not be an estate wine but it shares the same flavour profile. Supple and elegant tannin is complemented with relaxed red fruit. Not as intense or complex as some of their top end wines but you don't need a cerebral challenge every night.

Light and supple enough to match up to a wide range of foods, spring lamb or grilled meats would work perfectly.