Bijou offers a taste of the south of France

Bijou returns to ProWein this year with its signature wines from the south of France. db explores the brand’s philosophy while Patrick Schmitt MW tastes the range.

Languedoc-Roussillon wine brand Bijou has built its name by discovering the unique southern regions of France, and transporting the consumer there through the storytelling of its refreshing wines.

Best-known for its successful rosés, Bijou was launched in 2014, sourcing its wines from some of the lesser-known regions in the Languedoc. These regions were picked for their unique terroirs, which have high diurnal temperature swings and calcareous clay soils. This helps to make the wines slightly more acidic, thereby providing Bijou’s range of quality rosé wines with an authentic profile that delivers freshness and aromatic complexity.

The team works with organic and sustainable growers in regions such as the Coteaux de Béziers, between the Mediterranean and the Bassin de Thau, where strong winds provide a cooling influence during the summer, resulting in a unique saline finish on its rosés.

Other sites include the rustic Vallée du Paradis and Coteaux Varois en Provence, as well as the cool, higher-altitude vineyards in the Haute Vallée de l’Aude, above the town of Limoux, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet. Here the terroir – stony claylimestone soils formed by Pyrenean erosion, help to extend the growing season making it ideal for grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, producing wines defined by their elegance and freshness.

Bijou has seen great international success – it was well ahead of the Provençal rosé boom that tapped into the popularity of blush wines – and has been gathering international recognition in both the retail and the hotel and restaurant sectors. However, the brand is not limited to shades of pink.

In 2023, it launched a range of wines under its Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose label, which included, alongside a rosé a Sauvignon Blanc and Bijou’s first foray into the red wine category – with a lighter and fresher style of wine that according to Bijou is popular with consumers and better-suited to contemporary dining habits.

According to brand manager Emily West, consumers are willing to experiment with new wines as long as there is enough confidence, either in the brand or in the grape. ”We believe our approach to refined labelling helps us stand out on the shelf,”she says.

Meanwhile, Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose Pinot Noir and Eminence Pinot Noir, which launched alongside it, have garnered international respect, with both wines earning Gold medals at the 2024 Global Pinot Noir Masters.

Other new additions to the range include a “nervy”, fresh and bright Chardonnay from the foothills of the Pyrenees. The grapes for this wine were grown at an elevation of 400 to 450 metres, just outside the Limoux appellation, one of the coolest climates in the Languedoc, where the wide diurnal range allows for a longer ripening period.

However, the company is not just concentrating on adding to its range of award-winning wines that reveal and support undiscovered regions in the South of France. As part of its ethos of respecting tradition and driving innovation, it is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the industry, while pushing the boundaries in sustainability and innovation. It is committed to eco-friendly farming practices and to reducing its carbon footprint. “Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity,” West says.

Bijou is available in 40 different countries, including the US, and it has partnerships with ecommerce giants in France and the UK.

Below, Patrick Schmitt MW gives his tasting notes of wines from the 2024 vintage, which were tasted at Vinexpo Wine Paris in February.

LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE ROSÉ

Sweet fruit flavours dominate the palate, with a touch of jamminess, despite having only 3g/l of residual sugar. A hint of chalky phenolics and saltiness adds a refreshing edge to the wine. Light and fresh, yet neither weedy nor herbaceous – just easy-drinking with good balance. Subtle pear drop notes accompany strawberry jam, pomegranate and a touch of pink grapefruit.

LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE VIOGNIER GRENACHE BLANC

A delicate, clean and youthful nose with notes of peach and pear, complemented by a touch of richer apricot. The palate is pleasantly oily, with a core of peach, pear and subtle pear drop. Fine, chalky phenolics add texture, creating a balanced, fresh profile without heat. Nicely structured with a finely grippy feel, good persistence and a lick of apricot that enhances the intensity. A well-textured, clean and good-value wine with a lingering finish.

LE BIJOU DE SOPHIE VALROSE PINOT NOIR

A pretty Pinot nose with sweet raspberry and a clear varietal character. The palate offers a ripe core of sweet cherry, balanced by fine, dry tannins and a refreshing lift. Hints of cranberry add vibrancy, while a touch of jamminess at the core enhances the ripe yet fresh profile. No green notes, nor overripe, baked fruit – just nicely balanced, full and persistent. An excellent find at the price, with 13% ABV, and less than 1g/l residual sugar. Impressive quality at this price point for a Pinot that truly tastes like Pinot.

ÉMINENCE DE BIJOU VIOGNIER

Aromas of peach, pear, cream and a touch of pear drop carry through to the palate. The fruit is vibrant yet surprisingly restrained, with notes of peach, nectarine and pear juice. Medium-weight with impressive persistence, complemented by a fine-grained phenolic edge that adds a mouth-watering freshness. A hint of pear drop lingers on the finish. A well-crafted Viognier.

VESTIGE BIJOU PINOT NOIR

A lovely mix of cherry, plum, raspberry and wild strawberry – classic Pinot character with youthful vibrancy. Ripe yet pure, neither jammy nor baked. Subtle oak adds depth without overpowering, while fine, grippy tannins provide structure and refreshment. The palate lingers beautifully, revealing hints of vanilla pod, cream and finely toasty nuances. A touch of struck match leads into a gently smoky finish. Finding a serious Pinot at this price is rare – so, if this retails for under £20, it’s a true find. Grippy now but, with time, it will settle into something a little softer. Nevertheless, the core of sweet Pinot fruit shines through.

VESTIGE BIJOU CHARDONNAY 2023

A delicate, creamy and toasty nose leads into a delicious palate. Toasty and gently creamy, with notes of ripe peach, juicy lemon and a touch of tangerine. The finely integrated oak adds depth – more toasty than buttery – complementing the ripe, intense Chardonnay fruit. Hazelnut emerges first, followed by a subtle hint of peanut. Dry, with a finely phenolic, refreshing finish. Super-clean, youthful and seemingly well-made. The lingering toastiness and a subtle matchstick hint add sophistication. Not the sweet, buttery style of Chardonnay, but something more refined. At close to £20, this should perform very well relative to the competition – a find.

Discover Bijou at ProWein Düsseldorf in Hall 10, Stand F40.