Domaine d'Emile et Rose

A great way to discover new wines and estates is to have recommendations from a quality source, in this case an ex-Sommelier turned vigneron. I was given a glass of Domaine d'Emile et Rose 2007 Carignan Blanc earlier in the year and was impressed by its apparent youth for a near 5 year old Languedoc white. This is partly down to the citrus acidity that balanced the fragrant oily rich character of the wine resulting in a lovely mouth feel and a wine complex and long enough to savour.

On a commute up north I spotted bottles of the estate while browsing Vins Naturels Caviste Tocsin in Bourges. Les 5 Seaux 2011 is a red Cinsault. Good colour. Dried fruits with herbs but light and cool - not heady like so many Cinsault red efforts. Drinkable and interesting; a half-bottle rather than 1 glass wine, somewhat remarkable given the modest price of around 6€.

Up until 2007 the estate called itself Domaine des 1000 Roses. Situated in Corneilhan just north west of Béziers the Domaine is in the distinctly unfashionable Coteau du Libron which, if nothing else, explains why their wines are such good value (expect to pay around €12 for the Carignan Blanc).