[March 21, 2023]

1972. The year my wine merchant career really took off. And it was in no small part due to finding my first wine from the Bertrand family: Cuvée Georges Bertrand.

50 years on, Languedoc legend Gérard Bertrand has made us this anniversary bottling – a reproduction of the original cuvée I bought from his father Georges. And I can’t wait to share it with you again!

I’m savouring a glass now and, wow, I remember why it was so special. Rich, succulent with bramble fruits and soft spice notes. It’s sure to transport you to sun-drenched Mediterranean vineyards. And it’s a delicious trip down memory lane for me ...

It was the early 70s. I hadn’t been a wine merchant long when I travelled to the Languedoc – also known as the Midi – in search of the undiscovered gems of southern France. Well, I struck gold in the Corbières region when I met Georges Bertrand in his vineyards (later called Domaine de Villemajou). I instantly adored Georges’ soft, fruity red blend made by macération carbonique – a winemaking technique fairly new to me at the time. So I bravely faced his tough negotiating skills, and struck a deal for my customers.

The reaction was incredible. I had to swap my small merchant van for a big lorry to keep up with demand! Georges’ wine catapulted me into the mainstream. Needless to say, it remained a customer favourite until Georges’ early passing and production ceased.

Prince of the Languedoc

But the Bertrand wine story was far from over! Gérard picked up his father’s winemaking mantle (no mean feat considering he played rugby union for France at the time) and he is now the most important figure on the Languedoc wine scene.

Nicknamed the ‘Prince of the Languedoc’ by Jancis Robinson MW, he has recently been named The Drinks Business’ Master Winemaker of the World 2023 (a very impressive accolade among many).

I can’t overstate his achievements for the Midi. Gérard has shown just how outstanding the wine quality can be, with his top wines going for a heady £180 a bottle.

So, imagine my excitement when Gérard agreed to bring back his father’s wine for its 50th anniversary – especially from just £12.99 a bottle. (I mean, I’ve been thinking about this wine for half a century!)

The grapes come from Georges’ old vineyard at Domaine de Villemajou, where I first met him, and where Gérard worked his first vintage at the age of 10. Gérard doesn’t usually allow these grapes to be put into other blends, but he’s made an exception for our 50th!

Raise a glass!

The label is even a similar design to the original bottling and, in keeping with both the Bertrand and Laithwaite passion for sustainability, we’ve opted to remove the capsule from over the cork. (It’s also a nod to what can only be described as capsule-gate, a story you can read in my book when you buy a case of Cuvée Hommage!)

But most importantly, the taste! It’s as juicy as I remember the original being. The same southern French blend expressing vibrant, supple fruits. An authentic Corbières red with the Bertrand stamp of excellence!

Take a look at my full tasting note below, but in the meantime let’s raise a glass to Georges, to Gérard, and to the next 50! Cheers.

Tony's tasting note

A superb tribute (‘hommage’) to his father, Gérard Bertrand’s red blend expresses the rustic charm of Corbières, a region at the heart of the Languedoc. It’s a classic blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah from the superb 2019 vintage.

Carbonic maceration (a form of whole bunch fermentation used to make soft, fruity red styles) lifts the ripe berry flavours to the forefront, while old oak barrel ageing adds subtle layers of complexity.