Every month, we introduce you to an interesting woman living in Languedoc. Curious as we are, we would like to find out why she lives in this beautiful region, what she does for a living, and some of her Languedoc favourites. This month, meet the sparkling Amber Gardner, a wine expert who has travelled the world before settling in the South of France. Besides writing, doing sales and buying, and being a wine agent, she also organises wine tours in Occitanie.
Introduction
Well, what to say… I am a wine-obsessed 36-year-old who has defected from London for a better life in Sète (1 & 2). Also, I’m a big fan of sailing and windsurfing, in case anyone reading wants to invite me on their boat…
First Time Visiting the Region
My first time to the region was July 2015. I came with my boyfriend at the time to visit his Mum as she had just relocated to Sète. Who was to know that just shy of 10 years later, I would be living in the same town!
Settling in Languedoc
So, I bought a house in Béziers in 2020 with my Mum, but I finally took the leap from London to the Languedoc in May 2024. There are just so many reasons to settle in this region, I guess. But as someone who was raised right by the sea (albeit on Hayling Island), it was always something that I was craving to come back to. Add sunshine, a nice pace of life, great food and, of course, an amazing wine scene – well, it really felt like a place to call home. It is also a region that feels untapped and authentic, which was another draw.
Amber Wine
I started my wine consultancy company- Amber Wine (3 & 4)- when I wrapped up my career as a Sommelier a few years ago. And whilst it is still in its infancy and very much evolving, it is a way for me to be multi-faceted in wine. Currently, I do sales and buying for the UK market, work as an agent for some French wineries, write about wine (see my Substack page), and as of the 28th of March 2025, I am beginning wine tours in the region that focus on the more natural, organic and biodynamic side of wine.
Living in the South of France
Like anywhere, there are pros and cons, of course. However, because I travel so frequently back to the UK for work, I am constantly reminded that the quality of life is better here in France – if you love food and wine and nature, there really is no better place. You just need to be prepared to hear “non” a lot! The best part of living in the South of France? That is genuinely so hard to answer, but I think it is just everyday living if that makes sense. The landscape, the food markets, life lived on terraces, excellent local wines. You really don’t even need to do anything special to have a wonderful day down here.
Best Languedoc Wine
This is ridiculously difficult to answer, but I will give it to producers that I am loving at the moment. The two sit at totally different ends of the spectrum, though. The first is Domaine de Pas de L’Escalette – stunning, serious wines from high altitude Terrasses du Larzac. The other is Domaine Balansa in the Corbières. They are more natural leaning, but in the best way possible. I could bathe in these wines!
Favourite Restaurant
I have to give a shout-out to the team behind Pimpant in Sète – the hot pink facade is home to a rotating roster of international chefs who do 6-8 week residencies. Each menu is so different and brings with it the heritage of the chef and their experience, so you always get to experience something new. Also, they have a killer natural wine list.
Perfect Day Out in Languedoc
I am going to focus on my home town of Sète because I absolutely adore it. So, my perfect day would start with coffee in the Les Halles cos it is so vibey and bustling. And depending how holiday-vibes you’re feeling, you can follow the coffee with breakfast oysters and picpoul.
Then I would do the rounds to pick up some local cheese, tomatoes, bread and tielles (their local octopus tart) before heading down to the beach for an afternoon of swimming, napping and windsurfing.
En route home, I would definitely be stopping at Cave au Vin Vivant for a glass of pét-nat and heading out for a sunset dinner at a summer guinguette on the étang.
And if you’re not too exhausted after all of that, then you should head to Le Dancing for great music and naturally, a lot of dancing.
