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It is always good to come across an old friend, and on this ocassion for me it was the wines of the Plaimont Co-opérative in Gascony that greeted me in the sleepy little town of Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire.
Edward Sheldon is a very traditional country wine merchant - in the middle of good farming and hunting countryside southeast of Stratford-upon-Avon. Their premises are redolent of their long history, and you'd be forgiven for expecting something a bit "stuffy". But amongst the fine clarets, revered Burgundies and Hunting Port you will find an exciting range of well-chosen wines from the New World and Old.
We have known the Plaimont Co-operative for many years, originally importing their light refreshing Colombard, a delightful Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne before venturing into the delights of their Côtes de St Mont, Madiran and Pacherenc-du-Vic Bilh. Despite being a co-op it rises far above the normal level of cooperative cellars - and consistently produces top quality wines at keen prices. Quality control and innovation are their trademarks, and I was always delighted that even as a small importer we were always welcomed effusively - and the same goes for casual visitors to St Mont who may only be buying a few bottles.
A particular favourite of ours was the Côtes de St Mont VDQS Vignes Retrouvées white - a crisp dry wine with great depth of flavour made from the local Arrufiac, Petit Courbu and Gros Manseng grapes.
A newcomer to me was the Rive Haute (high bank) Sauvignon, which is a Vin de Pays du Gers, which Jane McQuitty reviewed in the Times "..squeaky clean stainless-steel fermented Sauvignon made from grapes picked in the cool of the early morning to ensure the zingiest results. Oozing smashing ripe, grassy, gooseberry and whitecurrant fruit" - I think she liked it. Just £6.49 at Edward Sheldon.