Farewell note
London’s Sud de France Festival 2009 has now come to an end - but what a great ten days we had!
Romain Henry from Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant won the Sud de France UK Sommelier of the Year award (congratulations, Romain!); Harrods listed and showcased over a hundred Sud de France food products; a giant cassoulet in Borough market was a huge success; Sud de France wines were promoted and celebrated in branches of Oddbins and Waitrose, the length and breadth of the UK; and Café Rouge restaurants throughout the country served a special Sud de France menu during the month of September, with diners discovering the amazingly refreshing Muscat Sunshine apéritif.
Thanks to a marketing mix that included advertising and promotions, not forgetting wine master classes and tastings, and the efforts of our very own Sud de France ambassador - acclaimed two Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi, of Hibiscus restaurant - thousands of Brits have sampled the delights of Sud de France food and wine.
Roll on next year’s Sud de France Festival!
Maze sommelier wins first Sud de France competition
Romain Henry, sommelier at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant has been named the first Sud de France UK Sommelier of the Year.
The competition, launched just this year, aimed to find the sommelier with the best knowledge of the Languedoc-Roussillon region and its wines, and after a day-long final held at London’s Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, Frenchman Henry was deemed the winner.
Sud de France spokesperson and judge Elodie Le Drean said: “The judging panel was particularly impressed by Romain’s ability to engage with his audience, his confidence, and his in-depth knowledge of the wines of the south of France.”
Henry beat several competitive candidates, including Rbecca Skinner of Green and Blue Wines and Marc-Andrea Levy of Murano to the first prize of a three-day educational trip to Languedoc-Rousillon plus a gourmet dinner at London’s Hibiscus.
30 Great Wines From Languedoc-Roussillon: the Experts' Choice
What: An event for UK press and trade only; an opportunity to taste 30 "desert island" wines selected by selected members of the UK wine trade and press.
Full details of UK stockists and RRPs (the vast majority of these wines are available in the UK), as well as the names of "those who chose" will be available on the day.
Where: La Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, 6 Cavendish Square, London W1.
Time: September 4th, 10am - 6pm (a Mediterranean buffet will be served at midday).
Wines to be tasted
- Château de la Negly, La Côte, 2007, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Château de la Negly, La Falaise, 2007, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Clos Bagatelle, La Gloire de Mon Père, 2000, AOC Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac
- Clos Centeilles, Capitelles de Centeilles, 2000, AOC Minervois
- Clos Marie, Métairies du Clos, 2006, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc, Pic St Loup
- Coume Del mas, Abysses, 2005, AOC Collioure
Domaine Alain Chabanon, L'Esprit de Font Caude, 2002, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc - Domaine Alquier, Les Bastides, 2006, AOC Faugères
- Domaine Borie de Maurel, Cuvée Sylla, 2006, AOC Minervois
- Domaine Borie La Vitarèle, Les Crès, 2008, AOC St Chinian
- Domaine Canet-Valette, Le Vin Maghani, 1999, AOC St Chinian
- Domaine de Clovallon, Les Pomarèdes , 2006, VDP d'Oc
- Domaine de la Grange des Pères, 2004, Vin de Pays de l'Herault
- Domaine Fontanel, Le Prieuré, 2007, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Tautavel
- Domaine Gauby, Vieilles Vignes, 2007, VDP des Côtes Catalanes
- Domaine La Pèira en Damaisèla, 2006, AOC Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac
- Domaine Léon Barral, Valiniere, 2005, AOC Faugères
- Domaine Matassa, 2004, VDP des Côtes Catalanes
- Domaine de Montcalmès, 2005, Coteaux du Languedoc
- Domaine Peyre Rose, Clos Syrah Leone, 1998, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Domaine Peyre Rose, Clos des Cistes, 1993, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Domaine St Daumary, Asphodèle, 2007, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc, Pic St Loup
- Les Clos Perdus, L'Extrême, 2005, VDP des Côtes Catalanes
- Mas Cal Demoura, Infidèle, 2000, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Mas Champart, La Causse du Bousquet, 2005, AOC Saint Chinian
- Mas Daumas Gassac, 2005, Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
- Mas de l'Ecriture, L'Ecriture, 2001, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Mas Jullien, 2001, Vin de Pays de l'Hérault
- Prieuré St Jean de Bébian, 2005, AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- Vignerons de Maury, Chabert de Barbera, 1985, AOC Maury
Bag yourself a delicious FREE picnic lunch, created by a two Michelin-starred chef!
To take advantage of this amazing free offer, you have to fill in the form below and then collect your complimentary picnic lunch basket from La Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, 6 Cavendish Square, London W1, from midday on 9th September only.
Your free picnic basket will include a Sud de France salad created exclusively by acclaimed chef Claude Bosi of London’s Hibiscus restaurant, some tasty Languedoc-Roussillon cheese, a delicious local dessert and a bottle of mineral water.
A free glass of wine will be offered when you pick up your basket at La Maison de La Région Languedoc-Roussillon, but hurry – this offer is limited to the first 100 applicants!
Sorry there are no free picnic basket available anymore however you are still more than welcome to visit us at la Maison de La Région Languedoc Roussillon, 6 Cavendish Square, London to enjoy a free glass of wine. (until stock last)
