TASTE LANGUEDOC, TASTE ADVENTURE

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "TASTE LANGUEDOC, TASTE ADVENTURE"

Andrew Douglas
6 years ago
Views:

1 TASTE LANGUEDOC, TASTE ADVENTURE Leurs Vins Pour Notre Temps Training Presentation

2 Languedoc

3 Why Languedoc? History: Oldest Wine Culture in France Diversity: Soil, Varieties, Traditions Consistency and Quality: no, seriously! Value: Wine for all, all for wine

4 Languedoc: Key Points Largest Quality Wine Region in the world 13.6M hl (1.8B bottles) 1/3 of French wine is from Languedoc-Roussillon 224,000 hectares (570,000 acres) of vineyards 70,000 ha AOP (AOC) (177,800 acres) 141,000 PGO (358,140 acres) Climate is consistent and relatively stable Low rainfall, cooling winds, and long growing season from proximity to the Mediterranean 320 days of sunshine per year, average temperature 15 C/59 F Greatest Number of French Organic Vineyards 22,000 hectares (56,000 acres) 33% of all French Organic Vineyards, 7% of global

5 Languedoc: Key Points Some of the oldest wine regions in Europe Sète Ancient fishing village, vineyards have been in the area for thousands of years Source of Innovation and Progressive Thought Sparkling Wine Limoux, 1531 (sorry Dom Pérignon) Gosset, oldest Champagne house founded 1584 Mutage developed in 12 th century in Montpellier Arnaud de Villeneuve Many wine techniques were invented in Languedoc; home to one of the oldest universities in Europe University of Toulouse 1229 AD Techniques to manage: hydric stress, fermentation temperature control, resistant varieties and rootstocks Social Responsibility and equality Cathars - didn t eat meat, didn t believe in church buildings, regarded men and women as equals 12 th 14 th century!

6 Languedoc: Location, Influences Sunshine, Winds, Little Rainfall and Geological Diversity Tramontane Wind Cevennes Mtns Mediterranean Sea Pyrenees Mtns Marin Wind

7 Languedoc: Diversity Within 5 Main Zones: Elemental Languedoc Mountain Mountain more continental climates, the north of the region, often resembles Rhône in profile and structure Coastal strong Mediterranean influence, abundant sunshine, more lush, riper styles of wine South closest to Roussillon AOCs, larger amounts of Carignan Center heart of the region, flatter land, more volume production West mix of continental and Atlantic influences, most sparkling wines found here, higher elevation and more diverse meso- and microclimates West Center South Coastal

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane, Cinsault, Cinsault 13% of still wines are rosé More rosé produced in Languedoc than

8 Languedoc: Production and Styles Production breakdown of the Languedoc AOP wines 77% 10% 13% Blanc Rosé Rouge 93% of wines are still 5% sparkling: Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir 2% fortified: Muscats 77% of still wines are red Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane, Cinsault, Cinsault 13% of still wines are rosé More rosé produced in Languedoc than in Provence 1.9M hl vs. 1.2M hl 10% of still wines are white Piquepoul, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier

9 Languedoc: Regional Breakdown AOP 14% IGP 60% Designations: AOP: Appellation d Origine Protegée = about 14% of region s total production (many still use AOC) IGP: Indication Geographique Protegée = about 60% of production # of AOPs Languedoc has over 30 AOP areas identified The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL) represents the AOPs and IGPs - But NOT IGP Pays d Oc 26% Vins SANS Indication Geographique (ex-vins de Table) = Vin de France

Languedoc: AOP Quality Pyramid Crus du Languedoc Less than <10% of production, only a few AOPs qualify for this top tier In 2018 these are: Corbières- Boutenac, La Clape, Minervois la Livinière, Pic

10 Languedoc: AOP Quality Pyramid Crus du Languedoc Less than <10% of production, only a few AOPs qualify for this top tier In 2018 these are: Corbières- Boutenac, La Clape, Minervois la Livinière, Pic Saint Loup, Terrasses du Larzac Grands Vins du Languedoc Over >60% of production, most AOPs fall in this terroir driven category Corbières, Minervois, Saint Chinian, Cabardès, Malepère, Picpoul de Pinet AOP Languedoc Regional appellation introduced in 2007, represents about 30% of production

11 Languedoc: Prevailing Terroirs Calcaires / limestones Galets roulés / rolled pebbles Grès / sandstone Schistes/shales Molasses Sandy-clay and claylimestone soils Generally poor soils, well drained, allows for strong and deep root systems. In general, the darker the soil, the more dense and structured the wine will be.

12 Languedoc: Misunderstandings Languedoc is the Wine Lake Previously known for producing large quantities of wine, new AOC/IGP/Crus help to promote quality image Affordable = Cheaply Made Majority of Languedoc AOC wines are made in styles and using techniques that are celebrated in more traditional quality regions Wines Are Not Specific to Region They Come From Garrigue: Mix of herbs that grow wild in the region: rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, juniper Soils are diverse and revealed in the quality wines Nobody Cares About Vineyards in the South 33% of France s organic wine comes from Languedoc

13 Languedoc: Key Appellations

14 Languedoc: Keys Appellations What are some of the AOPs (AOCs) most commonly seen in the US market? AOC Languedoc (long-dock) Corbières (cor-bee-air) and Corbières Boutenac Faugères (fowj-air) Fitou (fee-too) La Clape (la clap) Limoux (lee-moo) Blanquette (blonk-ette) or Crémant (cray-mont) Minervois (min-er-vwah) and Minervois la Livinière Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois Picpoul de Pinet (peek-pool duh pee-nay) Pic Saint Loup (peek-san-loo) Saint-Chinian (san shin-ee-an), Roquebrun and Berlou Terrasses du Larzac (tear-ahs doo lar-zak)

15 AOC Languedoc AOC Languedoc (established in 2007) The Base What geographical area does this cover: Encompasses all AOC areas within Languedoc- Roussillon What other name might you see on the label: AOC Coteaux du Languedoc What grapes can be included: Must be a blend of at least 2 approved varieties Reds/Rosés: Grenache Noir,(Lledoner Pelut), Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignan Whites: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino, Clairette, Piquepoul Other requirements: All grapes must be grown in AOP delimited areas Can only include approved varieties (this list is smaller than that for IGP wines

16 Pic Saint Loup Pic Saint Loup Closest to Rhone recently elevated to stand alone AOP (2017) Zone: Mountain Only approved for Red (90%) and Rosé (10%) wines. Whites can be AOC Languedoc Rainfall is higher here than other areas, garrigue very noticeable and prevalent Dominated by limestone soils and two particularly large escarpments Key grapes: Reds/Rosés: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (no more than 80% of any one variety) Notable producers: Chateau de Lascaux Chateau La Roque Chateau de Lancyre Ermitage du Pic St Loup Mas Foulaquier Mas Bruguière

17 Terrasses du Larzac Terrasses du Larzac High quality up and comer Zone: Mountain Only approved for Red wines. Whites and Rosés can be AOC Languedoc Marked by larger diurnal range, more continental climate Varied soils. Producers regularly harvest at yields lower than permitted maximum = high quality, much critical acclaim. Key grapes: Reds: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (min 60%), Carignan, Cinsault (max 30%) Notable producers: La Peira Domaine du Pas de l Escalette Mas Julien Mas de l Écriture

18 Picpoul de Pinet Picpoul de Pinet Picpoul, pick moules (mussels)! Zone: Coastal, Dominated by influence of nearby water, Bassin de Thau and Mediterranean Only approved for White wines Perfect partners for all seafood Alluvial soils, warm temperate climate Key grapes: White: Piquepoul Notable producers: Les Costières de Pomerols Domaine Félines Jourdan Cave l Ormarine Chateau Saint Martin de la Garrigue

19 La Clape La Clape Lush reds, unique whites Zone: Coastal Only approved for Red and White wines. Rosés can be AOC Languedoc. *Home to the most planting of Bourboulenc anywhere One of the hottest and driest parts of France. Limestone and sand soils Key grapes: Reds: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (min 70%), Carignan and Cinsault Whites: Bourboulenc*(min 40%), Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Piquepoul, Rolle Notable producers: Gerard Bertrand Mas du Soleilla Chateau des Karantes

20 Corbières Corbières Heartland of Carignan Zone: South, Cru located within is AOC Corbières-Boutenac Approved for Reds (95%), Whites and Rosés Largest appellation in Languedoc in terms of area and volume of wine produced (4th largest in France) Windy, hot. Emphasis on Carignan in reds Key grapes: Reds/Rosés: Carignan (max 50%), Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Lledoner Pelut, Cinsault (max 20% for reds, max 70% for rosés) Whites: Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Clairette, Terret, Muscat (max 10%) Notable producers: Ollieux Romanis Domaine de Fontsainte

21 Fitou Fitou Big, hearty reds from the South Zone: South One of the oldest appellations in Languedoc, only approved for Red wines, others can be AOC Languedoc or IGP Divided into 2 subzones: Maritime - Soils are clay/limestone near the water, Haut - limestone/sandstone more inland All Fitou must undergo a minimum aging period. Cannot be released until May following vintage and if oak aged, spend a minimum of 12 months in wood Key grapes: Reds: Carignan, Grenache (min 60%), Syrah, Mourvèdre Notable producers: Mont Tauch

22 Minervois Minervois (Reds (94%), Whites, Rosés) Marvelous Minervois Zone: Center, Cru located within is AOC Minervois la Livinière Varied soils, though predominantly clay/limestone. All vineyards are south facing More emphasis on Syrah compared to neighbor Corbières Key grapes: Reds/Rosés: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre (min 60%), Carignan, Cinsault, Terret, Aspiran, Piquepoul (max 40%) Whites: Marsanne, Roussanne, Macabeu, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Muscat à Petits Grains Notable producers: Chateau d Oupia Chateau Maris Chateau Sainte Eulalie L Ostal Blanc

Saint-Chinian Saint-Chinian (Reds/Rosés, Whites) Naturally intense Zone: Center, Crus located within are AOC Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, AOC Saint-Chinian Berlou Schist soil in the north, clay/limestone

23 Saint-Chinian Saint-Chinian (Reds/Rosés, Whites) Naturally intense Zone: Center, Crus located within are AOC Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, AOC Saint-Chinian Berlou Schist soil in the north, clay/limestone to the south. Mediterranean climate Carignan features less than in either Corbières or Minervois Key grapes: Reds/Rosés: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut (min 70%), Carignan, Cinsault Whites: Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino (90%) Notable producers: Caves de Roquebrun Domaine Rimbert Chateau Viranel Laurent Miquel

24 Faugères Faugères (Reds/Rosés, Whites) Mineral Reds Zone: Center Cru du Languedoc Schist soils dominate the area, altitude is noticeable compared to nearby areas Combination of wind and soils temper the warm climate s influence on wines; lots of minerality Key grapes: Reds/Rosés: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault Whites: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino Notable producers: Leon Barral Abbaye Sylva Plana Chateau la Liquière Les Crus Faugères Mas Olivier

25 Limoux Limoux (Blanquette, Crémant, still White, still Red) The original sparklers Zone: West More continental climate (cool), soils are limestone with sandstone, quartz and clay Sparkling wines are made in the traditional method, written evidence dating to 1544 (predates Champagne!) Key grapes: Blanquette: at least 90% Mauzac, up to 10% Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay Crémant: min 40% Chardonnay, balance of Chenin Blanc, Mauzac and/or Pinot Noir Notable producers: Saint Hilaire J. Laurens Antech Gerard Bertrand Domaine Martinolles

26 Muscats Muscats Sweet indulgences Zone: Central (Muscat Saint Jean de Minervois) and Coastal (others) 4 separate AOCs for production, one single grape permitted: Muscat à petits grains Vins Doux Naturel, must is fortified with grape spirit Finished wines: 11% residual sugar, 15-18% alcohol by volume All grapes must be harvested by hand, no irrigation is allowed AOCs: Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois (smallest) Muscat de Frontignan (largest and oldest) Muscat de Lunel Muscat de Mireval Notable producers: Les Vignerons de la Mediterreanée

27 Today s Wines Wine 1 Wine 2 Wine 3 etc.

28 Today s Wines Wine Name with vintage AOP Zone Grapes/Blend SRP Vinification/ Viticulture details Notes on Producer Tasting Notes

29 Thank you! For more information on Languedoc Wines, please visit Follow us: Facebook.com/LanguedocWines Twitter.com/LanguedocWines Instagram.com/vinsdulanguedoc

ALL ABOUT LANGUEDOC AOP WINES Society of Wine Educators Conference. New Orleans August 14, 2015

ALL ABOUT LANGUEDOC AOP WINES Society of Wine Educators Conference New Orleans August 14, 2015 Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points Wines to discover: Authenticity blend of history, tradition and innovation