It was 41°C when I arrived in front of the cellar of Domaine d'Aupilhac in the quaint village of Montpeyroux. This visit had been planned before a heatwave swept across the area, as it did much of France, and of course, I had managed to arrive on what would turn out to be the hottest day of it. That being said, the heat didn't stop me from making my way to Domaine d'Aupilhac to meet Sylvain and Désirée Fadat, the couple behind the estate. I had first tasted their cuvée Les Co

Can you chill red wine? This is probably one of the most asked questions I get about wine, and the answer is yes, you absolutely can chill red wine. In fact, in some cases, it’s even recommended. It all comes down to the style of wine. It’s a heatwave here in France, with temperatures reaching above 35°C, and all I’m craving in the evening is something refreshing. I love a glass of red wine, in winter it’s my go-to, but when it’s this hot and you’re melting the thought of a h

There are certain names that make wine lovers excited when it comes to Languedoc wines, and Mas de Daumas Gassac is one of them. I had recently enjoyed a bottle of the Daumas red 2022 with my dad (albeit opened a little too early in my opinion) and it made me want to discover the philosophy and wines of this iconic estate. Lucky for me, I live just five minutes away. A pioneer of the Languedoc wine scene, Mas de Daumas Gassac helped change the perception of this region, provi

Villages straight out of an Agatha Christie novel, rolling green hills, wildflower meadows, countless sheep and cows, and cosy country pubs. Welcome to the Cotswolds. This wasn’t just any trip to the Cotswolds, though. It was Camp Joy Retreats’ take on the region, and once again, I joined as their private sommelier. This time, things were a little different, as I wasn’t on site to source the wines myself. For Camp Joy’s French retreats in Cotignac and Ménerbes, the rhythm is

If you have ever found yourself in the wine aisle of a supermarket or browsing in a wine shop, chances are you have come across a bottle displaying a medal. But have you ever wondered how a wine actually earns one? I’m lucky enough to experience both sides of wine competitions, not only as a judge, but also as an organiser. After recently taking part in another competition, I thought it would be interesting to share a behind-the-scenes look at how these contests work, how win

Clos Aguilem first came onto my radar at a Christmas work lunch, where an oenologist colleague of mine had brought their cuvée KIARA for tasting. As the bottle was poured around the table, we all agreed, it was a beautiful wine. When I mentioned how much I enjoyed it, my colleague added that not only do they make delicious wines, but they are also incredibly warm and welcoming people. “They’re not far from you, you should visit.” Need I say more? And so, Clos Aguilem naturall

Pizza is a great dish to share with friends, family, a loved one, or by yourself, just like wine. Which is perfect, because both go really well together !

On a cold, sunny afternoon, driving up the road to Cazevieille with olive trees, Mediterranean vegetation, and vineyards guiding the way, and of course, the Pic Saint-Loup, our region’s unmistakable landmark watching over us, we approached our destination: Clos des Reboussiers. Welcome to Languedoc Uncorked, a brand-new monthly series on Wine by Ana. Each month, I’ll take you with me to visit a different Languedoc winery, meeting the men and women behind the bottles, discover

My wine selection for Camp Joy Retreats in the South of France

As soon as the sun comes out and temperatures start to rise, the bottles of rosé follow. Typically pale, fruity, and light, it’s the go-to wine of the summer. One common myth is that the lighter the rosé, the better the quality but that’s completely false. Rosés come in many shades and offer a wide range of textures, aromas, and flavours depending on the winemaking method. Curious? Let’s explore the three main styles of rosé! The Three Main Styles of Rosé 1. Rosé Made by D

My wine selecition for Camp Joy Retreats in the South of France

For those who don’t know me, I’m a red wine kinda girl. But living in the South of France means it can get seriously hot, and when it...

I first tasted La Réserve 2023 from Domaine de Trépaloup during my time working on the Millésime BIO trade fair this year, the world’s...