Piquepoul Rose, Vignobles Foncalieu

A new incarnation of an unfairly-neglected grape variety: Piquepoul Noir. This traditional name (literally, hen-pecked) is derived from the hens which used to prowl the vineyards to eat up any grapes which fell of the vines. A pale pink in colour, this Piquepoul rose has a delicate nose of cherry blossom, strawberries and peaches. The palate is wonderfully fresh with summer berry flavours and notes of crushed rose petals. The fruity notes are balanced perfectly with a lively, citrus acidity leaving the palate refreshed. Though only 250 acres of this rare grape remain, Piquepoul Noir has been grown in Southern France for centuries. It is originally from the Languedoc and is one of the 13 grapes permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Coteaux d'Enserune is in the Languedoc. Located in approximately fifteen districts between the rivers Orb and Aude, North-West of Béziers, the area’s name comes from the famous oppidum overlooking the dry lakebed of Montady, the Canal du Midi and Malpas tunnel. The Coteaux d’Ensérune stand at the crossroads of four major periods in history. Firstly, the Celtic civilisation, which established an oppidum known as Ensérune in the 6th century BC on a hill overlooking marshlands, and was home to a people that traded with the booming Greek world. Then, during the Middle Ages, after 500 years of unrest, men clawed back uncultivated land and drained lake Montady to plant crops. The ‘Grand Siècle’ brought with it the visionaries, like Pierre-Paul Riquet who designed the Canal du Midi and dug the world’s first navigable tunnel (in Le Malpas) to overcome the route’s final major obstacle. Ultimately, modern times saw the creation of the first co-operative winery in Maraussan, officially opened over 100 years ago by Jean Jaurès. Such a rich history provides the perfect opportunity for inviting the public to events such as the Bacchanales in June.