Le Rosé 2007 awarded Médaille Bronze by Concours Général Agricole 2008

Number 1 - March 2005

For the Chinese it is the year of the Tiger and here in the Languedoc it is the year of the winds. We have eight different winds, coming from all points of the compass, neatly divided into four dry winds (broadly from the north) and four damp winds (broadly from the south). This year it has been the northern winds which have dominated, with the the Tramontane (directly from the north) gusting at 100 km an hour for most of February and March. Since the north has had a fair amount of snow, this wind has had a high chill factor!

Number 2 - November 2006

Greetings from the Languedoc as we start another year in the vineyard. The middle of November is when the leaves on the vines have dropped, pruning starts and so the cycle begins once again.

Newsletter 3 - October 2007

Greetings from the Languedoc. October is when we begin to relax a little - the white grapes have fermented and most of our reds have completed their alcoholic fermentation. Only the Grenache is still slowly bubbling. Autumn is with us - the leaves are changing colour but the daytime temperature remains at 24 degrees and we are still picking a few strawberries and tomatoes from the kitchen garden each day. The park is coming back into life again after rain a few days ago - the first real downpour we have had for almost five months.

What will Oz be drinking this summer?

Saint Hilaire Advocate Chardonnay is an Oz Clarke selection for his book 101 Best White and Rosé Wines Wine Buying Guide 2008 published by Pavilion at £4.99