Home Winners > Winners 2020 > South & South-West - White

Winner Details

South & South-West White

The South of France whites are always something of a curate’s egg for our tasters, with a wide range of styles and quality on offer, from sea-breeze Picpouls to oily Viogniers.

In the early stages the kick-out rate here is often quite high, but following careful sifting of the wheat from the chaff we often unearth some well-priced gems, and so it proved again this year, with the Viogniers in particular a hit with our tasters.

The two Savoie wines from Perrin were an affordable delight and fully deserving of places on many lists.

From The Tasting Teams

‘The Southern flight was a real mix of styles. Some were refreshing, some were massive, some were more fruit-bearing wines. But overall it was really good.’ Rémi Cousin, Le Gavroche

‘There’s a positive trend towards pleasantly increasing quality. The southern whites are finding their place and they deserve it.’ Filippo Pastorini, consultant

‘It’s funny that regional France doesn’t do as well as regional Italy does. Most of these were quite samey. Though some are better than house wines, at house wine prices.’ Martin Lam, team leader

‘Straightforward, clean, fresh and cheap, the Viogniers were everything you want from a wine. These could fit in on any wine list.’ Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery

‘The Viognier flight was an absolute delight. It’s a really good option for any wine bar, or for someone who wants something that works well with Asian food.’ Filippo Pastorini, consultant

‘I love Savoie! Overall, the region is making great wines. Fresh, balanced, with a long finish. These are good-quality, and you can easily sell them.’ Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery

Award winners

Found 24 wines

France: South & South-West, White

LGI Wines, Baron de Baussac, Viognier 2019, Languedoc, France

Gold medal winner

'This opens with notes of pineapple and peach, and with a hint of white pepper too, leading to a deep palate that's well complemented by bright acidity.' Filippo Pastorini, consultant. 'A really good example of Languedoc Viognier, with lovely acidity. This is young and lively, and would be ideal as an aperitif on a hot summer evening.' Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery.

£6.73 Majestic Commercial

Jean Perrier, Cuvee Gastronomie, Apremont 2018, Savoie, France

Gold medal winner

'Delicate citrus fruit and white flowers on the nose, followed by freshness and floral notes such as jasmine and honeysuckle on the palate. A very good wine with a good finish.' Luma Monteiro, Wineria. 'Fresh, clean ripe fruit such as pear, lemon and white peach. This is clean, crisp and delicate, and a good option for pairing with salads and white fish.' Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns.

£10.63 Bibendum

Jean Perrier, Chignin Bergeronn Fleur de Roussanne 2017, Savoie, France

Gold medal winner

'Absolute love this, with its chamomile and white flowers, and lemon notes too. It’s delicate, yet it has personality, and good fruit concentration.' Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery. 'Really lovely, with green papaya and dried pineapple, along with oolong tea notes and a bit of jasmine too. Quite versatile - I could see this working in almost any restaurant.' Andres Ituarte, team leader.

£18.03 Bibendum

Domaine Lafage, Cadireta, Chardonnay 2018, Roussillon, France

Gold medal winner

'Leesy and perfumed, leading to a full-bodied and spicy palate with very ripe William pear, and with a long finish too.' Matthieu Longuère MS, team leader. 'Honey, lemon and vanilla on the nose lead to a palate that's smooth, with good freshness and a gentle citrus finish. A good match with asparagus risotto.' Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£9.28 Bibendum

Costieres de Pomerols, Réserve de Mirou, Picpoul de Pinet 2018, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

'A delicate wine with a light spritz, showing some ripe lemon zest notes and good concentration that builds on the finish, with some mineral saltiness.' Andres Ituarte, team leader. 'Peach blossom with some delicate citrus and peach fruit, this has lovely balance and integrated acidity, with some minerality too.' Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns.

£8.09 Matthew Clark

Gérard Bertrand, Château L'Hospitalet, La Clape, Grand Vin Blanc 2018, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Silver medal winner

'A statement wine that's mineral and smoky, with vanilla notes and a rich, full-bodied palate with lovely freshness.' Matthieu Longuère MS, team leader. 'A great, complex aroma with some candied lemon nuts and vanilla, leading to a dry palate with great structure and a nice finish.' Lionel Periner, team leader.

£26.92 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Foncalieu, Le Versant, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Roussillon, France

Silver medal winner

'A lovely elegant and delicate wine, with seamless acidity and clean mineral notes, and a lovely texture too. A good aperitif, or a match for salads or light fish dishes.' Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns. 'There's good concentration here. Fresh and great value - this would work wonders in a gastropub.' Andres Ituarte, team leader.

£8.64 Bibendum

Badet Clément, La Cour des Dames, Viognier, Pays d'Oc 2019, Languedoc, France

Bronze medal winner

'A great example of Viognier from the Languedoc in a good year. An aromatic wine with some fruit, and showing some great value for money.' Lionel Periner, team leader. 'With notes of melon, apricot and citrus blossom, this is easy and fresh.' Matthieu Longuère MS, team leader. 'Perfect - loving the balance of this wine.' Michael Moore, The London Cookhouse.

£6.25 Molson Coors

Badet Clément, Le Bosq Blanc 2019, Vin de France, France

Bronze medal winner

'Bright with light tropical fruits and lovely mineral notes.' Andres Ituarte, team leader. 'Notes of acacia flower, green apple, lime and elderflower, with good length.' Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery. 'A fresh and crisp wine with some juicy lime and lemon notes.' Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

£6.09 Matthew Clark

LGI Wines, Le Beau Sud, Sauvignon Blanc/Gros Manseng 2019, Côtes de Gascogne, France

Bronze medal winner

'Crisp and ripe citrus fruit and tropical fruit, like passionfruit and gooseberry, with a lovely texture and fruit-led finish.' Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns. 'Terrific value, with delicious grapefruit on both the nose and palate.' Martin Lam, team leader. 'Lemon and peach notes, with a delicate herbaceous finish.' Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London.

£6.52 Matthew Clark

Plaimont Producteurs, Colombelle L'Original, Côtes de Gascogne Blanc 2018, South West France, France

Bronze medal winner

'Citrusy, with a floral character and refreshing texture, notes of yellow plum, and a smooth finish.' Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London. 'Honeyed, with a hint of residual sugar, and notes of grapefruit, with just enough tart acidity. Great with fatty meats such as goose, duck or pork.' Martin Lam, team leader.

£7.67 Bibendum

Domaine de la Baume, Les Mariés 2019, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

SO Vignerons, Villa des Croix, Picpoul de Pinet 2019, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.00 Flint Wines

Ormarine, Les Pins de Camille, Picpoul de Pinet 2019, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

Cazes, Les Clos de Paulilles 2019, Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

£14.64 Enotria&Coe

Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Héritage du Conseiller, Chardonnay 2018, Vin de France, France

Commended medal winner

£8.13 Matthew Clark

Ormarine, Etang de Sol, Picpoul de Pinet 2019, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£6.99 Molson Coors

Ormarine, La Pierre Plantée, Picpoul de Pinet 2019, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£6.99 Molson Coors

Ormarine, La Font Française, Picpoul de Pinet 2019, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£6.99 Molson Coors

Mas La Chevalière, L'Art des Sens, Chardonnay 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£8.45 Liberty Wines

Château Canet, Sea Change, Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner

Treasury Wine Estates, Squealing Pig, Picpoul de Pinet 2018, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£7.26 Molson Coors

Advini , Plo D'Isabelle, Picpoul de Pinet 2019, Languedoc , France

Commended medal winner

Gérard Bertrand, Château La Sauvageonne, Grand Vin Blanc 2018, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Commended medal winner