Why ‘Friends’ Alternate Wine Gathering In Montpellier Is A Hit

Annually there is a professional wine fair in the city of Montpellier in southern France, titled Millésime Bio. It has a strong repute and focuses on organic wines and alcoholic beverages. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 18 countries, including winemakers, make the annual pilgrimage to this event. Although I have not yet visited, reviews generally appear glowing.

During this same two day period in January, however, there is an alternate gathering of wine professionals in Montpellier. Organized since 2004 by the winemaking couple Jean-Baptiste and Charlotte Sénat from the Minervois wine region of southern France—this event is titled Le Vin de Mes Amis, or the Wine of My Friends. It’s smaller and more casual than the larger Millésime event, with just 120 producers from a half dozen countries. It’s reputation is stealthy and stellar. Intended to bring winemaker friends together in a ‘relaxed and friendly atmosphere, around a shared love of their land … ’ it includes ample renowned producers from most French wine regions, including Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion, Champagne, Chablis, Jurançon, Languedoc and the Rhone Valley. It also includes international vignerons, from the highlands of Italy’s Dolomite peaks to the slopes of Portugal’s Douro valley.

I paced around the event where vintners in t-shirts and workshirts looked at ease. An obvious focus was sharing pride and craft. Winemakers poured samples and sometimes asked my home country, but never queried my profession or intention.

Many winery names appeared evocatively dreamy, even inspirational—Terres d’Imaginaire (Lands of Imagination), Les Terres Bariolées (The Colorful Lands), Les Enfants Sauvages (The Wild Children), La Ferme de L’Arbre (The Tree Farm), Le Mas de Mon Père (My Father’s Farmhouse). Every sip brought a story; each encounter delivered lifestyle choices rooted in winds of change and the invisible value of muck.

The event is no frills. Parking around the Tropisme Hall was potholed and quirky; exhibitors stood on cold concrete floors inside a spacious and rustic warehouse with little heat but ample character. They shared tables coated in gray and blue cloth where simple signs identified names of producers and their location/appellation.

Yet inside this simple setup, vintner pride shone; wine quality glowed; respect for craft and landscapes brimmed, and honest respect was paid for all who sampled. The quiet congeniality inside a ramshackle warehouse was mesmerizing.

Should you visit a future January wine fair in Montpellier, consider stopping not at not one, but at two events.

Below are photos of various producers met while walking around the event, and brief notes about their wines. Headings indicate wine appellations or regions.

Minervois —

From Domaine Taillandier in the Languedoc village of Caunes-Minervois, owner and winemaker Benjamin Taillandier and wife Clea shared fresh and exciting new vintages, including a sleek 2024 Blanc (Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Terret Gris) with floral and pineapple aromas, easy drinking juicy acidity and green apple flavors. They also poured their new release of well structured Bufentis (Grenache and Syrah). Every vintage improves with this winemaker who wholeheartedly dedicates himself to his craft, family, village and casual but boisterous La Cantine du Curé restaurant/wine bar.

Beaujolais —

From Domaine Jean Foillard, Jean provided samplings of his 2023 Morgon Cuvée Corcelette, and 2023 Fleurie wines from Beaujolais. The Fleurie includes delicate raspberry flavors and the overall quality of these Beaujolais cru wines is alluring.

Paul Henri Thillardon of Domaine Thillardon from Beaujolais shared his Chénas wines—three types from three different terroirs. Les Blemonts 2023 includes frisky acidity and is slightly spicy.

Tuscany, Italy —

From Tenuta di Valgiano in Tuscany, Italy, Laura di Collobiano and her daughter Maria provided a sampling of fresh and crisp Palistorti di Valgiano Bianco 2023—a blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto ‘with aromatic dignity.’ I also tasted their light and scrumptious Mazzapink—a Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Trilingual Laura and her husband own an impressive 16th century estate outside the earthen walled Tuscan city of Lucca.

Côtes Catalanes —

Carolin Bantlin and her son Juri of Domaine Les Enfants Sauvages within Fitou in the Côtes Catalanes appellation produce, with other family members, a biodynamic wild and sizzling fresh Cool Noon white wine made from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Vermentino aged in both oak and acacia. They also produce a subtle flavored and easy drinking orange wine—Bouche du Soleil, or mouth of the sun.

Côtes du Rhône —

Jérôme Chastagnol and his wife Florence of Maison Chastagnol, from Vinsobres in the Rhone Valley, produce an array of 100% varietal wines—including Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. All are distinct, easy drinking and excellent value.

Cairanne Cru des Côtes du Rhône —

Ingrid and Mais Bouchet, a mother/daughter team from Clos des Mourres domaine in Cairanne in the Rhone Valley served Clos des Mourres Pompette (‘tipsy’)—a blend of Grenache, Vermentino, Picpoul and Clairette with bright aromas of white pears. They also poured their Beau Coup 100% Grenache—soft and light with flavors that include red fruits and chocolate.

Malepère —

Frédéric and Sandrine Palacios own Le Mas de Mon Père, located in the Malepère appellation of far western Languedoc. They produce 100% varietals of Carignan, Merlot and Malbec, as well as Tu M’Intéresses—a Merlot/Syrah blend. These are delicious and at excellent value.

Périgord —

Camille and Mathias Marquet of Domaine Lestignac in the Périgord produce Hommage á Elzéard from four grapes—Petit Manseng, white Merlot, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Flavors in this fresh and mesmerizing blend include spicy white pepper. Their Comete wine is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc that leans in the direction of a wine from Jurançon, with electrifying flavors of white pears and honey. Delicious.

Terrasses du Larzac —

Géraldine Lavas of Clos Maïa in Terrasses du Larzac, northwest of Montpellier, produces Le Petit Clos from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault grapes—a classic southern French blend. Aromas of scrubland; silky flavors include black pepper. Easy drinking with brilliant acidity.

Oliver Jeantet of Mas Haut-Buis is the partner of Géraldine Lavas, mentioned above. His well made wines are delicate and slightly spicy; all sell for reasonable prices.

Cabardés —

Amphore is a Syrah/Merlot blend from Domaine Guilhem Barré. This was poured by Guilhem’s wife Béatrice. The Cabardès appellation in the southern Languedoc region of France is akin to the Roman god Janus in that it has two faces, because wines must blend grapes both from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts—in this case Merlot (giving suavity) and Syrah (providing structure).