The engaging and modest Laurent Vaillé is undoubtedly one of the star producers of the Languedoc region, having planted vines on the stony south facing slopes of the vale of Gassac, near Aniane, next to Mas de Daumas Gassac, an area now much sought after and regarded as one of the finest terroirs in the Languedoc. Laurent’s first vintage was 1982 and the stunning quality of his wines, produced from very low yields from young vines, amazed and delighted all who tasted it. Since then his wines have been elevated to almost cult status. A man of few words, Laurent trained with, among others Gérard Chave, Eloi Durrbach and François Coche-Dury and his superlative wine craftsmanship is beyond doubt. He is a philosophical man of nature and, rather than believing that climate change is responsible for the varying weather patterns permanently, he believes that nature will constantly correct and balance itself. For any football fans, when Laurent Blanc was allowed by Sir Alex Ferguson to play in a testimonial match in France whilst with Manchester United, his gratitude was shown with a case of Grange des Pères for Sir Alex. Enough said.