The Oc, or ‘Pays d’Oc’ as you’ll see it on most labels, refers to the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, known by the French as ‘Le Midi’. Planted here are both traditional grape varieties such as Grenache Gris (which makes very fine rosé) and Grenache Noir (try Pasquiers for a full-bodied flavoursome find); as well as the ‘cépages améliorateurs’ (varieties introduced in the last twenty to thirty years) such as Syrah and Merlot for reds, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc for whites. Eric Monnin, Boutinot’s winemaker responsible for the Languedoc, is constantly on the look-out for producers who have hidden gems, visiting domains, seeking out new parcels as well as counselling winemakers before the harvest on for example, softening harsh tannins in reds or retaining acidity and expressing aromatics in whites. Then once the grapes have been picked, vinified and the wines barely finished, he tastes these ‘brut de cuve’ wines intensively and repeatedly over the next six months in collaboration with Samantha Bailey and Kim Tidy to select and blend the styles we seek and decide on their maturation.

Made from Vin de Pays sourced from the Languedoc region in the south of France, the Bellefontaine range has established an international reputation for consistent quality and value. Every year Boutinot winemakers select only quality parcels of wine from different estates and producers, each contributing key components to the finished blend. Bellefontaine wines possess fine aromatics, pure fruit expression, fresh acidity, varietal character and above all, a persistent finish. The goal is to create a range of wines of consistent quality that are delicious to drink on their own but also complement food well.