Flying Winemaker in Languedoc venture

Eddie McDougall has collaborated with the Guibert family in the Languedoc to produce a new red wine blend from its Moulin de Gassac estate.

Eddie McDougall with Basile Guibert at this year’s Vinexpo in Hong Kong

‘Tête-à-tête’ is the first French wine in the Eddie McDougall Wines range, which currently encompasses wines made in Hong Kong and Australia but also marks McDougall’s first venture into collaborative wines.

Comprising a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon reserves from 2014, the Tête-à-tête “has aromas of dark spiced fruits, tar and violets, and a palate of blackcurrant and soft tannins that leave a refined finish,” he said.

“This style of wine is more approachable for wine novices, appreciative for connoisseurs and adaptable for the Asian palate.”

With a limited production of 1,800 bottles, Tête-à-tête is available in Hong Kong via the Flying Winemaker and will be in Australia later on this year.

A Tête-à-tête vin blanc made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Terret, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier is also set for release in autumn again as a result of McDougall’s collaboration with the Guibert family.

McDougall will host a trade tasting in the Flying Winemaker office in Wyndham Street, Central from 4-6pm on Wednesday, 15 June.

Moulin de Gassac is owned by the Guibert family with the main estate, Mas de Daumas Gassac heralded as the “Lafite of the Languedoc” by the French gastronomic guide, Gault Millau for its first vintage in 1978.

The estate was founded by former glovemaker, Aimé Guibert with his wife Veronica in 1974 and last month, the family announced that Guibert had passed away, leaving his son, Samuel and his siblings, Roman, Gaël and Basile to run the estate.