NL 14.5: Introduction to the Languedoc- Roussillon wine region
Introduction to the Languedoc- Roussillon wine region
The Languedoc- Roussillon region in deep south west France is known for its beauty, hillsides, mountains, limestone, schist, 1garrigue, olive and fig trees, 300 days of sunshine per year, battering winds and tiger mosquitoes.
Water is everywhere, big lakes, the nearby Mediterranean and the Canal du Midi.
It is the largest wine producing region in France and organic, biodynamic and natural winemaking is booming.
It is also an area of innovation, attracting newcomers like Katie Jones.
Why?
Because land is so cheap- 13,000 € a hectare of vines.The average in France is 151,000€ and Burgundy is 221,000€! ( 2022 figures)
Climate change is bringing about a revival of old vines like Carignan and Cinsault. Grenache is faring much better in extreme heat and drought conditions than Syrah.
There is also a big swing from reds to white and rosé production.
But for us wine lovers it offers great value as it can supply quality inexpensive/ mid priced wines in large quantities.
Let’s start with a cracking Viognier
Co-op Irresistible Viognier Pays d’Oc 13.5% £9
Normally Viognier is King of the northern Rhône, but it has found its second home in the Languedoc.
A delicious, slightly honeyed, crisp and refreshing white with good body and buckets of red apple, nectarine and apricot flavours, vanilla and spice notes on the finish and classic Viognier density ,but so well balanced that it somehow has a lightness about it.Made by the very talented.Jean-Claude Mas.If you see his name, or that of his late father,Paul Mas ,on a bottle then you are in very safe hands and unlikely to be disappointed on quality or price.
Être Affamé Cinsault 2024 12.5% The Co-op £8.15 can vary.
A lowly Vin de France classification from this Boutinot supplied Languedoc red wine. Redcurrant and raspberry juicy flavours with a hints of balsamic vinegar and black pepper.Slightly jammy, which is soon cured by a little chilling.The label promises rustic charm and that’s what you get.I suspect lovers of Beaujolais Nouveau would relish this.
Être Affamé means starving, much more than hungry.Perfect for long relaxed lunches or early evening drinks on a hot and sunny terrace!
Fitou old vines,Domaine Jones 2023 13.5% The Wine Society £15.50
A brilliant Katie Jones medium bodied red wine made from really old vines with equal parts of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan.Unoaked but with silky tannins.A dark brooding Heathcliff of a wine.Great with chilli con carne. Red fruits and ripe plums on display.
Katie Jones hard at work on one of her seventeen small plots near Tuchan. Difficult to believe she bought her first vineyard way back in 2008.
Most of the plots were abandoned or would not be touched with a barge pole by the locals.
She faced near disaster when her tanks of wine were spilt out on the floor in an act of vandalism.
However dealing with the unforgiving Tramontane wind and a bad back were probably her greatest challenge.
Château Coujan Tradition 2022, Saint Chinian Wickhams 13.5% abv £13.95
I am guilty of starting an absurdist tongue-in-cheek theme that all bottles of wine with a bird on their label were bound to be good.
Well there is a peacock on this label which adds more weight to my theory!
The wine is a bright red and purple blend of Syrah and Grenache with a long 1garrigue finish after a palate of blackberry and red current.Classy and moreish.Text book Saint Chinian.
1 Garrigue is a shrubby covering of aromatic and resinous herbs like bay leaf, rosemary, sage and thyme.It includes juniper and mint.Open a jar of Herbes de Provence and that gives you a rough sense of what it is.
Clefs du Pontif Grenache Syrah 2024, Languedoc 13.5% Laithwaites £11.99
This is a juicy blend of Grenache and Syrah from the Union des Caves de Cebazan co-op, which was created in 1932, uniting more than 400 winegrowers around 8 villages including Argeliers and Cruzy.
Red Cherries, violet, light spice and pepper. Smooth, easy drinking from Pays D’Oc. Would be great with roast lamb or casseroles, but is delightful on its own - to me, a good feature of a top Laithwaites’ wine.
Well that is a very quick overview of a huge fascinating area that is a happy hunting ground for wine bargain hunters. If you have liked it, please consider giving it a like.
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In our Sister Publication, MidWeek Wines (23rd March)
More Monday Top Tips from Brian Elliott
Newsletter No 15 (26th March)
Dave Cronin - The Joy of Sherry
Newsletter No 15.5 (28th March)
Richard Wyndham - A Guide to In-Person Tastings
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The Cinsault really appeals, must seek that out. I really enjoyed the Katie Jones Fitou at a tasting a few weeks back, and good to read about her background.
A great summary of this wonderful area that produces so much reasonably priced wine. In my lifetime it has gone from supplier of mass-produced plonk to decent affordable wine. What they now do with Grenache, Syrah, Mourdèvre and Cinsault is impressive. I just worry they might become unstuck with the predominance on red wines in the near future.
I’m a great fan of the St Chinian appellation, but also of Terrasses du Larzac (north of Montpellier, although can’t see it on your map). I’m intrigued to know why you suggest the Etre Affamé is likely to appeal to lovers of Beaujolais Nouveau (of which I’m a fan)