Bought For A Song

What do a renowned composer, the Languedoc and Park Square in Leeds have in common? Well, all three came together to make a memorable evening in September.

The convivial Adam Ketteringham from wine merchant Corney and Barrow invited lucky guests to a wine tasting with Robert Dougan, owner of the La Pèira vineyard and composer of ‘Clubbed to Death’, the catchy theme from The Matrix.

The tune's success helped Robert buy the vineyard, which he says was ‘bought for a song’. The dilapidated vineyard in the Languedoc has been nursed back to life and is now one of the most prized estates in the South of France.

La Pèira is nestled in the picturesque Terrasses du Larzac and is building a reputation for some exceptional wines. Robert, an engaging host and raconteur, shared his passion for the region and his and the vineyard's journey. Getting caught up in the story would be easy, but the wines talked for themselves.

Corney & Barrow distribute several of La Pèira’s vintages. We tasted four of the estate’s wines from 2019 and 2020 in the evening.

First up were the 2020 whites. The Deusyls de La Pèira Blanc 2020 (£175 for six bottles) is the more accessible of the two whites. It features four varietals, including the local Clairette grape. It looks great in the glass and has an inviting smell of tropical fruit and peach. It is crisp and rounded, with everything you’d want from young white wine.

The La Pèira Blanc 2020 (£395 for six bottles) is a blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier. It’s a complex and layered affair, where each sip reveals a new depth of flavour. The wine is rich amber in the glass with an almost oily feel in the mouth. Enjoy the mix of fruity and floral aromas and the rounded finish.

Moving to the reds, the Las Flors de La Pèira 2019 (£235 for six bottles) is the second-tier red blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan. With notes of bramble and pepper, it’s both opulent and fresh, and at this price point, it offers great value.

The star of the evening was the La Pèira les Terrasses du Larzac 2019 (£395 for six bottles). Primarily Syrah, with a splash of Grenache, this wine is all about power and elegance, with a velvety texture and intense fruit flavours. It’s a true crowd-pleaser. It has the sophistication to impress even the biggest wine buff while remaining easy to enjoy.

Robert believes the Languedoc is set to make its mark on the world stage, and with the wines we sampled in the evening, who can argue?

Available at https://www.corneyandbarrow.com/

Our wine enthusiast Nathan lives in Leeds and runs the PR and marketing company Campfire PR.
https://campfirepr.com/