Hérault Wine
In 2022, Dominique and Valérie Ibanez experienced their earliest harvest since they established Domaine Roquemale when they began picking white grapes on 16th August. Domaine Roquemale is a tongue-in-cheek name as 'rouque male' literally translates as 'bad rock' or 'poor soil' in the patois of the Hérault. Their organic vineholdings of 13 hectares lie on distinctive volcanic soils rich in bauxite. We first came across their intriguing 'Méli Melo' bottling of Alicanté Bouschet by chance at a tasting organised by the Languedoc Wines team in 2014. We were immediately taken with its youthful fruit (and Valérie's natural enthusiasm) and have been shipping it ever since. 'Méli Melo' (or mish-mash) is deliberately intended for early consumption and is known locally as 'the Beaujolais of the south'. With a bright red fruit bouquet and juicy crushed-berry flavours, it is a wine that drinks well lightly-chilled and is perfect for picnics and barbecues.
