The Costieres de Nimes (30 Gard, Languedoc) often gets overlooked, sitting as it (or they?) does (do) on the edge of the lower Rhone delta, adjacent to the Languedoc and with more than a hint of Provence in the air. Previously known as the Costieres du Gard, the reds are predominantly made from a typically Languedoc blend, but with Grenache (a Rhone varietal) gradually supplanting Carignan in the mix. The terroir is quite individual, combining the intensity of the sun and the white of the rounded stones (galets) which were washed down the Rhône in earilier times. It is the reds which are best (80% of the production), although I have tasted some good rosés and delightful whites from Macabeo, Clairette and Marsanne - remarkably fresh and bright given a hot climate.
Leon Stolarski has a new arrival of the wines of Chateau Bellefontaine at Beauvoisin (30 Gard, Languedoc) - the 2003 red and the heartier 2003 Grande Cuvée (boosted by the addition of Mourvedre) sounds superb - "A nose of dark cherries in eau de vie. Light-to-medium bodied, with flavours of cherries, forest fruits, strawberries and cream, and a hint of herby garrigue and spice, with good balance and gentle tannins."
In my book they tend to be more interesting than most Languedoc wines (there are obviously some exceptions to that rule) and a touch softer than full-blooded Southern Rhônes - well worth a try.
For more on these wines visit Leon Stolarski Wines - Chateau Bellefontaine also has a website at www.chateau-bellefontaine.fr
For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel visit www.frenchduck.co.uk
Keywords: France, Wine, Nimes, Costieres,Gard,Languedoc, Bellefontaine
