Domaine de Roquemale, Meli Melo, Pays d'Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2020

Located in the Grès de Montpellier area of the eastern Languedoc, Valérie and Dominique Ibanez cultivate a multitude of different varieties organically over 13ha. This is made from the red-fleshed Alicante Bouschet which gives heaps of blackberry aromas. It’s juicy, bright and cheerful, with sweet ripe plums and crushed raspberry notes. The label states that it’s a ‘vin de soif’, but there’s definitely some boldness and texture here, and a softly bitter cherry skin finish. It would be great with caponata or grilled tomatoes on the vine.