Les Bardets Gaillac Rouge

This is proper bistro red energy, juicy, dark-fruited, and brilliantly “smashable”. Think redcurrant and blackberry, a little violet lift, soft tannins, and a clean finish that makes you want another sip rather than a nap. It’s a great house red shape, generous fruit, enough crunch to chill slightly, and basically built for midweek pasta, roast chicken, or a plate of anything vaguely salty.

Caves de Labastide-de-Lévis is a long-running co-operative in Gaillac, working with local growers and championing the region’s native grapes (Braucol and Duras are the stars here). The Terroirs Project bottlings lean into a low-fuss, place-first style, concrete ferments, native yeasts, no flashy make-up, just honest southern French drinking at its most likeable.