Home >Wine Store >Domaine de Saumarez Millesime Blanc

Lemon, grapefruit, honeysuckle, wet stone and oak.

The domaine is located around the historical village of Murviel-les-Montpellier, in the small foothills 15 minutes to the west of Montpellier. The surrounding hills are covered in olive groves and vineyards with views stretching to the Mediterranean. Wine has been made in these hills since pre-Roman times, and several of the parcels are located inside the walls of Murviels' pre-roman fortified hill town. Seduced by the allure of southern France--as so many have been--Rob and Liz Williamson quit their office jobs in Britain in 2004 to move to the Languedoc. There, they purchased a run-down estate planted with old vines and rehabilitated it to produce wines such as this charming white. The classic southern French white varieties it's made from hit their peak when grown in rocky, well-draining soils such as those found on the Williamsons' estate. The result is a highly mineral white, both structured and savory. Wines like this Domaine de Saumarez white have earned plaudits from critics and helped established the Williamsons as promising newcomers to the southern French wine scene.

The Millesime Blanc will go well with cooked shellfish such as clams with bacon or crab, and summer vegetable or potato salads. A superb option is my Shrimp Spiedini--shrimp wrapped in pancetta (Italian Bacon) and grilled. Serve it with a green salad and a crusty loaf of bread!

Rob doesn't need his former banking skills in the vineyard, but Liz's accounting experience still comes in handy with the business!