Who is Matt, the man behind the wine tour?
Hi, I’m Matt Saunders.
I'll be your local guide here in the Languedoc-Roussillon, where every roads lead to a glass of wine!
I am a Frirish (French/Irish) man who has lived in the Languedoc for 30 of my 54 years. Most of that time in this beautiful part of the world has been spent eating, drinking and generally soaking up all things cultural and regional.
Come with me to exlore the wild Southern France. Let me share with you the reasons why I’ve remained in love with this beautiful region for the last 30 years. For the whole time we’ll spend together, I’ll be attached to make your holidays the most unforgettable journey.
What Taste du Languedoc is about?
Culture, arts, food and wine, everything here is about exploring, visiting and tasting. Thanks to my 15 years of experience with wine tour, it’ll be my pleasure to share with you my top picks through real tailored experiences. From a small family-owned organic vineyards in Faugères or Minervois to prestigious estates from La Clape, I’ll make sure to show you the finest wine makers. This journey goes far beyond the vineyard. Along the way, you’ll chat with local cheese producers but also with oysters makers from Etang de Thau. We’ll wander through ancient cities like Narbonne, Pézenas or Carcassonne.
Let me introduce you to the “art de vivre à la française”.
Step aboard my comfortable air-conditioned minibus and let yourself be guided through breathtaking landscapes, between Mediterranean sea and garrigue. No ride? Join me on a private cruise along the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a peaceful and intimate wine experience on the water. Looking for something even more unique? I’ll bring the Languedoc to you. Enjoy a private wine tasting at home, paired with Mediterranean cuisine I prepare as your personal chef. Fresh, local, and inspired by tradition, each dish is designed to elevate the wines we discover together. And as a musician, I might even add a touch of live music to make the moment truly perfect.
Let’s turn your stay in Southern France into a journey of taste, culture, and unforgettable moments.
The early days of Taste du Languedoc
I started Taste du Languedoc 15 years ago. After my previous career as an architectural project manager became unsatisfying, exhausting and took me away from my young family for too long periods. A brush with cancer was the final straw and I decided that life was too short to be doing things that I wasn't happy getting up in the morning to do.
With an in-depth knowledge of the region and a strong understanding of the wine industry, the decision to move from project manager to wine tourism professional was an easy one to make.
At the time of Taste du Languedoc's birth I had decided to refresh and continue building my wine education and so decided to pass the WSET advanced certificate along with the Master of Languedoc wine certificate. I had purchased a minibus and was ready to create my series of wine routes, including the major local appellations ( Minervois, Pic Saint Loup, Corbières, La Clape wine tour...). I was up and running!
Taste du Languedoc has constantly evolved. In the early years, I was busy building and co-running a successful art gallery in my little Minervois village. The art gallery was ticking along nicely. The addition of a bar, a kitchen and an outside terrace meant that the gallery had become an art gallery, wine and tapas bar with live music at weekends. The perfect headquarters for Taste du Languedoc!
From wine lover to local wine guide
For a number of years I cooked, poured wine, organised music events and generally enjoyed myself. The wine tour developed via the addition of wine tasting boat cruises on the Canal du Midi, and wine tasting classes held in the gallery. A pipe dream had become a reality.
15 years on from those first tours, a lot has changed and evolved: I am now based in Capestang, a lovely wine producing village on the banks of the Canal du Midi (not too far from my lovely Minervois) with a new minibus and a new boat.
The addition of new wine tours to include the appellations of "Terrasses du Larzac", Faugères and Picpoul de Pinet (combining some fabulous seafood on the Etang du Thau) are all exciting features of the up and coming season.
The art gallery, tapas bar and music events are the distant hangovers of a younger man. My passion for the Languedoc, our wines, cuisine and culture has never waned. If anything it is reinforced with every year that I am here, sharing my passion with people from all over the world. People on their own voyage of discovery, whether it's a foodie adventure, seeking out that perfect rosé or just on vacation and looking to experience something that will hopefully be remembered as the best part of their holiday.
My philosophy is simple... We are not all wine experts (thank god!) , but we all know what we like and don't like. Whether it’s food, wine, music or art, it's a matter of taste. The important thing is to experience, appreciate and above all enjoy!
So, you’re warmly welcome to get in touch with me for your next time in Southern France, let’s share joy and wines together on a perfect all inclusive private group wine tour.
Cheers!
