When it comes to the art of tickling the taste buds and captivating the palate, only a few rare souls attain perfection. Michel Kayser is one such soul. A two-star chef, a foodie with big ideas and a thirst for all things new, Michael heads up the Alexandre, an outstanding gourmet restaurant nestled in the centre of Costières, not far from Nîmes.

The Alexandre is cosy and elegant, the restaurant opening onto a large terrace and a wonderful shaded garden. The cuisine prepared by chef Kayser and his talented team is traditional and creative as well as being firmly rooted in the flavours of southern France. The menu reflects the region, with a range of local products at the top of the bill: floating island with truffles on a velouté of ceps from Cévennes is one such example, Camargue bull tartare another.

All the dishes offer the promise of a subtle, refined combination of the region’s culinary and vineyard wonders.

In fact, the wine list gives pride of place to the area’s finest wines, since the Costières is home to some particularly rich vineyards. Follow the expert tips offered by the house sommelier and your meal will be accompanied by the very best local cuvées. These wines – aromatic reds, delicate whites and fruity rosés – are full of the character of the south of France, and will enhance your dishes, making them even more harmonious, subtle and delicate.

In addition to the Alexandre, which is an absolute must, any foodies with an insatiable curiosity for wine might want to extend their gourmet experience to include the Vignes Toquées trail: a gastronomic tour through the local vineyards with six stops to taste some delicious food and wine pairings. In addition, many of the surrounding estates open their cellars to visitors so they can discover the AOC wines of Costières de Nîmes.

Whether at chef Kayser’s restaurant or in the local vineyards, the Costières terroir is a land full of delights, home to the art of gourmet cooking and vinicultural expertise.