Grand Reserve De Gassac 2007

Forget about the humble vin de pays status - this rich, exotically fruity white is from some of the best terroir in southern France - described by the eminent wine writer Hugh Johnson as the ''one First Growth of the Languedoc''. Veronique and Aime Guibert, former glovemakers to the royalty of Europe, bought a large part of the sleepy Gassac valley in 1970, but they only discovered its true value when their friend, the great Bordeaux geography professor, Henri Enjalbert, came to visit. He discovered 40 hectares of glacial moraine under the thick scrub of garrigue, which has created the perfect conditions for growing really high-quality grapes.

The build up of rocks and sediment left by the glaciers has provided soil so deep that vine roots are forced to find nourishment at great depth, inhibiting growth and promoting flavour concentration in the fruit, and so perfectly drained that, even after a violent rainstorm, it retains no moisture.

As a result the vines are pushed to the limit, creating unique aromas and flavours in the grapes. The 'Grand Vin' from the estate normally costs between #15-#20, but Aime Guibert's son, Samuel, created this Reserve wine exclusively for us six years ago, with all the pedigree of the top wine, but at an affordable price.

All the vines are cared for using near organic methods on the steep, Mediterranean-facing slopes, just outside the town of Sete.

After a traditional fermentation, the wine was aged in one to two year-old barrels.

Vendor: Laithwaites

	£7.99