The Gard region lies at the southern end of the Rhône valley, a river valley which stretches from Lyon in the north to the Mediterranean delta in the south. The red wines here bear the supple textures and peppery influences of the Rhône in their Grenache and Syrah but also in their style of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Whites too extend the Rhône thread into the Gard - with Viognier infiltrating from the north (from its rarefied hideouts in Condrieu and Côte Rôtie) and Clairette spreading its reach from the top southern Rhône enclave of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Vineyards lie on a plateau near Nimes in the Southern Rhône and are immaculately tended by Patrick Bech. Yields are kept low and grapes are picked at total ripeness. The Domaine is abundant with apricot trees that surround the vineyards, and which, like the vines benefit from the terroir and climatic conditions of the region.

The vineyards of Patrick Bech's Domaine de Bahourat in the Gard area of the Languedoc. Micro-oxygenation was adopted to ensure supple tannins for this distinctive and authentic Merlot.

Sirloin steak in peppercorn sauce, grilled lamb chops, Mediterranean vegetable and bean bake.