We are delighted to announce that our Grand Sud Chardonnay won a Silver medal at the Selection Internationale Best Value Vin de France.

What is the Selection Internationale Best Value Vin de France competition?

The competition is organized by the Anivin, Interprofessional organisation which promotes the Vin de France category in the world. The event took place for the fourth time in Paris the last 12th February. Experts from the Union of Winemakers of France have tasted 292 wines, only 88 were awarded medals.

We are delighted to announce that our Merlot Rosé 2012, Merlot 2012 and Chardonnay 2012 were rewarded at the last Gilbert & Gaillard Wine Guide tasting which took place this month.

Grand Sud Merlot Rosé and Merlot won GOLD medals and Grand Sud Chardonnay won a SILVER medal.

What is the Gilbert & Gaillard Wine Guide?

The Gilbert & Gaillard Wine Guide is an essential reference for professionals and wine lovers. Gilbert & Gaillard began their joint career in publishing in 1989 as directors of a collection for Presses de la Cité, a major publishing house in Paris. In 1991, they began to publish their own wine guides and magazines about wine. Today they head a multimedia group dedicated to wine that has offices around the world.

What is Gilbert & Gaillard Guide tasting?

The Gilbert & Gaillard’s team, composed of  wine professionals, taste thousands of wines to register tasting comments and evaluations in their guide. Best wines are awarded gold or silver medals at the end of the tasting.

We are delighted to announce that our Merlot Rosé has won over the Saveurs de l’Année 2012 jury with their amazing qualities.

What are the Saveurs de l’Année?

Every year, the Saveurs de l’Année jury rewards a range of products that have met consumer requirements during a rigorous quest for truth: a taste test. Eighteen AFNOR-standard sensory evaluation laboratories share all the tests. And over ten thousand consumers throughout France take part in this giant tasting experience.

How does it work?

During the taste test each product is evaluated by a minimum of one hundred consumers. One essential detail: at the tasting session, the consumers never know each other, the name or the brand of product to make sure they only evaluate the taste and nothing but the taste! At the end, an overall satisfaction mark is awarded. Only this mark determines the products that deserve the allocation of the Saveur de l’Année recognition. And the French population approves highly of this approach. No less than 92% say they are satisfied with the Saveur de l’Année products they purchased (source: BVA 2009).

2011 was a far more generous year than 2010. The long, harsh winter followed by a very hot spring led to optimum development of the vines. The rains in July did not slow down growth. The vines produced perfectly ripe fruit with an extreme aromatic richness.

Thanks to the excellent ripeness of the grapes, 2011 wines have set themselves apart with their intense fruity aromas and excellent concentration on the palate.

In Languedoc the harvests began on 20rd August with the Chardonnay grapes, a week earlier than in 2010. Then we followed with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache and Syrah. In Gascony, the harvests also started in the last week of August. On 21st we began with Sauvignon, followed by Chardonnay.

After vinification, the whites reveal their expressive and refined natures. The Sauvignon releases notes of limes and Chardonnay pineapple. The reds display elegant tannins, velvety and smooth, accompanied by cherry aromas for Cabernet Sauvignon, raspberry for Merlot and lovely spices for the Syrah.