Blog

Discovering Luberon and Costières de Nîmes in the Rhône Valley
France, Rhone Valley, Wine Recommendations Sophia Longhi France, Rhone Valley, Wine Recommendations Sophia Longhi

Discovering Luberon and Costières de Nîmes in the Rhône Valley

At the southernmost part of the Rhône, either side of the valley, you’ll find the appellations of Luberon and Costières de Nîmes. Luberon is on the east side, wedged between Ventoux and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, and Costières de Nîmes is on the west side, right at the tip of the Southern Rhône, bordering on the Languedoc.

Read More
KEEPING WARM WITH RASTEAU WINE
France, Wine Recommendations Sophia Longhi France, Wine Recommendations Sophia Longhi

KEEPING WARM WITH RASTEAU WINE

Rasteau produces dry and fortified red wines made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (sometimes Carignan and other additional varieties too, in small amounts). This year, the appellation is celebrating 10 years as a Cru of the Côtes du Rhône, the highest accolade given within the region. It’s a badge of honour, which recognises Rasteau’s distinctive terroir and high quality production. ⁣

Read More
A weekend in the Languedoc - Part Deux: Every wine has a story
Wine Travel, France Sophia Longhi Wine Travel, France Sophia Longhi

A weekend in the Languedoc - Part Deux: Every wine has a story

One of the fabulous things about the Languedoc is that you are never far away from wine. There are vines everywhere you turn and in every village there will be someone making their own wine (in Liausson, it’s the village mayor, as introduced to this story in Part One). There are also larger wineries and shops where you can see big production close up and, of course, try and buy the wines.

Read More
A weekend in the Languedoc - part one: Liausson Rouge
Wine Travel, France Sophia Longhi Wine Travel, France Sophia Longhi

A weekend in the Languedoc - part one: Liausson Rouge

It’s always very fortunate when you have friends who live in wonderful places, especially when you can go and stay with them for a few days. It is even more fortunate when said places are located between 30-50 degrees of latitude (where the grapevines grow) and home to lots of lovely, lovely wine. Chris and Ian live in Liausson, a small village in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France. It’s a beautiful, historic little place with Lac du Salagou to the north (or just a fifteen minute walk down a dusty road from Chris and Ian’s house) and vineyards in every other direction.

Read More
Sud de France Annual Tasting 2018
Trade Tastings, France Sophia Longhi Trade Tastings, France Sophia Longhi

Sud de France Annual Tasting 2018

I love visiting the South of France and there are three things that never fail to make it a wonderful trip – the weather, the food and the wine. Visiting small local vineyards is always part of it; making an afternoon of it and taking a tasty, inexpensive bottle (or three) back to enjoy with a home-cooked supper and friends. The charm of this part of the world keeps its devotees coming back time after time, living their dream of buying crusty baguettes in the morning and local wine in the afternoon, but now it seems they have even more reason to stick around (and sip around), as the region’s reputation for high quality wine is skyrocketing.

Read More