Paul Strang

I'm proud that my books on the South-West of France and Languedoc Roussillon both were awarded 'Best in the World" in the category of French wine books at the gourmand Awards 2010 and 2019 respectively.

My parents were professional musicians, my career though was in the law. After I retired I was able to devote much of my time to the study of wine and writing about it. As a young man, barely qualified, I bought a ruined house in the French Midi, and developed a passion for the wines of the South-West and of Languedoc-Roussillon. I treasure memories of visits to many growers; at Mas de Dauas Gassac for example, the four young sons of the house must have been the most eligible bachelors in Languedoc. I asked the glamorous young lady behind the sales counter if she was part of the family. 'No', she said , but I'm working on it'. An elderly winemaker not far away asked me why the English kept their wines for so long : "if you find the girl of your dreams you don't shut her away in a cupboard for twenty years". The best wines have character because they display the personality their maker.