LANGUEDOC AOP WINES SALES TRAININGSALES TRAINING

20152015

LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: KEY POINTSKEY POINTS

Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points

What should you know about Languedoc Wines?These are wines to discover:These are wines to discover:• Authenticity – blend of history, tradition and

innovation• Diversity – all styles and colors• Quality/Value – great quality to price ratio

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points

Where is Languedoc located and what are key influences?key influences?

Sunshine, Winds, Little Rainfall andLittle Rainfall and Geological Diversity

Cevennes Mtns‘Tramontane’ Wind

Pyrenees Mtns

Mediterranean Sea

‘Marin’ Wind 4

Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points

Why should you and your customers choose Languedoc Wines?

F t d B fit• Features and Benefits– Fast growing category, impressive import growth strong

interest in the category, consumers are seeking these out as the new ‘discoveries’

– Mediterranean influence Consistency from year to year • Example, 2013 was a great year for Languedoc when other areas

struggled with the weatherGreat QPR consumers will find quality in each bottle– Great QPR consumers will find quality in each bottle

– Innovative, dynamic region exciting, authentic wine choices (discoveries) that integrate tradition and modernity

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points

This is a hot category/trend that consumers are looking to get in ong g

– 154+% growth 2009-2013, volume and value• Double digit growth 2009 – 2012, year over year

2013: 8% growth by volume and 13% by value – 2013: 8% growth by volume and 13% by value from previous year

– In 2014, imports of AOC Languedoc rouge/rosé iwines grew more than all other French AOC

red/rosé categories, with the exception of Provence (by volume)

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points ‐ growth

154+% growth 2009‐2013, volume and value

350 000400,000450,000

LDC AOC Wine Imports to USA

200,000250,000300,000350,000

Vol/9L cases

050,000

100,000150,000

02009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points ‐ growthIn 2014, imports of AOC Languedoc rouge/rosé wines grew more than all other 

French AOC red/rosé categories, with the exception of Provence

% vol growth 2014

Loire Rouge/Rose

LDC AOC Rouge/Rose

BDX Rouge/Rose

Provence

Cotes du Rhone

Beaujolais Rouge/Rose

Bourgogne Rouge/Rose

BDX Rouge/Rose

‐20 ‐15 ‐10 ‐5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Roussillon Rouge/Rose

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points for Customer Interactions

What to focus on if you have:30 seconds with a customer:• Languedoc, South of France produces wines of all styles and colors: reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and sweet wines• Proximity to the Mediterranean Sea means vintage consistency, lush flavor profiles, and an abundance of organic

productionproduction• Key grapes from the region are ones you might already know like Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre• AOC tier represents top quality, top 10% of production

2 minutes with a customer:• Languedoc, South of France produces wines of all styles and colors: reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and sweet wines

M j it f d ti i d bl d– Majority of production is red blends– Languedoc is also largest producer of French rosé, similar in style to rosés from Provence

• Mediterranean climate allows for greater vintage consistency than other areas of France– Example, 2013 was a great year for Languedoc when other areas struggled with the weather– Also means an abundance of organic production

• Key grapes from the region are ones you might already know like Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Plus new grapes like Piquepoul a white wine– Plus new grapes like Piquepoul – a white wine

– And some of the first sparkling wines in France• AOC tier represents top quality, top 10% of production• Wines showcase notes of garrique (blend of wild herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage), which you cook with, making

these wines great food partners

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LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE BASICSTHE BASICS

LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE BASICS

What is Languedoc?• Largest wine region in France (Languedoc-Roussillon)

– By area and volume of wine produced:y p– 650,000 acres = double the vineyard area of Australia and larger than all of

California– 13.5 m hl produced = 148.5 million cases of wine

• South of France H M dit t t th f thill f P– Hugs Mediterranean coast, at the foothills of Pyrenees

– Climate attributes allow for a lot of organic production• History of revolution and innovation

– Area has always done things their own way, history of revolution (ex. Cathars)L d’O l f O (O it i ) P d t d F h – Langue d’Oc = language of Oc (Occitania). Pre-dates modern French. Oc/Oui = yes!

– Area of France that remains the most open to innovation in terms of winemaking; many outsiders have bought land here

– Many wine techniques have been “invented” in Languedoc ; home to one of th ld t i iti i Ethe oldest universities in Europe

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LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE BASICS

What is Languedoc?• Languedoc is one part of the administrative region: Languedoc-

Roussillon– Languedoc accounts for 90% of this region (Roussillon = 10%)– Quite distinct from Roussillon in terms of culture and other administrative details– Has its own organizations for winemaker and AOC concerns (CIVL vs CIVR)

• Key Grapes– Reds: Grenache Syrah Mourvedre Carignan– Reds: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan– Whites: Piquepoul, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Mauzac

• 5 Main Zones: Elemental Languedoc– Many microclimates and wine profiles to be found in such a large region, but they can be

thought of in 5 main groups:Mountain more continental climates in the north of the region Resembles nearby Rhone• Mountain – more continental climates, in the north of the region. Resembles nearby Rhone

• Coastal – strong Mediterranean influence, abundant sunshine, more lush wines• South – closest to Roussillon AOCs, larger amounts of Carignan• Center – heart of the region, 4 recognized “Cru” AOCs• West – mix of continental and Atlantic influences, sparkling wines found here

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Languedoc’s 5 ZonesMountain

Center

Coastal

West

South

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LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE BASICS

What is Languedoc?• Wine Styles: All colors, sweet and sparkling

– Production is predominantly red (80%) - rich but balanced style that appeals to p y ( ) y ppUS wine drinkers. Not austere, like some French wines. “The New World of the Old World”

– Rosé production is growing, rosé from the “other” South of France– Picpoul de Pinet is hot category (white)– Vins du Naturels (Muscats)Vins du Naturels (Muscats)– Sparkling production predates Champagne

• Authentic: History and tradition, but also innovation– History of winemaking dates back to Roman times– Many small family holdings dating back generationsMany small family holdings dating back generations– Experimentation: Blend of old and new techniques in viticulture and

winemaking– New frontier for wine in France: Many new faces, last affordable vineyard land– New World of the Old World

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LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE DETAILSTHE DETAILS

Languedoc AOP Wines: The Details

What are some defining characteristics of Languedoc AOP Wines?• Wine lake no longerWine lake no longer

– Previously known for producing large quantities of wine– Quality is now the focus

• Affordable price rangeM j it f L d AOP i i d i th $15 $20 – Majority of Languedoc AOP wines are priced in the $15-$20 range

• Garrigue– Mix of herbs that grow wild in the region: rosemary, thyme, sage,

lavender, juniper– Aromas are often evidenced in the wines

• Organic production– 30% of France’s organic wine comes from Languedoc

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Languedoc AOP Wines: The Details

What’s on the label?• Designations

– AOC = Appellation d’Origine Controlé (also AOP), about 10% of region’s total production– IGP – Indication Geographique ProtegéeIGP Indication Geographique Protegée– VdP – Vins de Pays (being phased out in favor of IGP)

• # of AOCs– Languedoc has over 30 AOC areas identified– The CIVL (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc) represents the AOC sector The CIVL (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc) represents the AOC sector

and IGP – but NOT IGP Pays d’Oc• Segmentation

– Languedoc AOC wines now bear 3 different segmentations:

• AOC Languedoc – introduced in 2007, 30% of production. Regional appellation

• Grands Vins du Languedoc – 60% of production, most AOCs fall in this “terroirdriven” categoryg y

• Crus du Languedoc – 10% of production, only a few AOCs qualify for this top tier

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LANGUEDOC WINES: KEY AOCs

Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs

What are some of the AOCs most commonly seen in the US market?• AOC Languedoc (long-dock)• AOC Corbières (cor-bee-air) and Corbières Boutenac (Cru)AOC Corbières (cor bee air) and Corbières Boutenac (Cru)• AOC Faugères (fowj-air)• AOC Fitou (fee-too)• AOC La Clape (la clap)

AOC Limoux (lee moo)• AOC Limoux (lee-moo)• AOC Minervois (min-er-vwah) and Minervois la Livinière (Cru)• AOC Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois• AOC Picpoul (peek-pool)p (p p )• AOC Pic St Loup (peek-san-loo)• AOC Saint Chinian (san shin-ee-an), Roquebrun and Berlou (Crus)• AOC Terrasses du Larzac (tear-ahs doo lar-zak)

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs – AOC Languedoc 

• AOC Languedoc (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, ( ) y

Carignan• Whites: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino,

Clairette, Piquepoul– Other requirements:

• All grapes must be grown in AOC delimited areas• Can only include approved varieties (this list is smaller than that for IGP wines)

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs – Pic St Loup

• AOC Pic St Loup (1994) – “Closest to Rhone”– Zone: Mountain– Only approved for Red (90%) and Rosé (10%) wines. Whites can be AOC Languedocy pp ( ) ( ) g– 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 Reds/Rosés: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (no more than 80% of any one variety)

– Notable producers:• Chateau de Lascaux• Chateau La RoqueChateau La Roque• Chateau de Lancyre• Ermitage du Pic St Loup• Mas Foulaquier• Mas Bruguière• Mas Bruguière

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs – Terrasses du Larzac

• AOC Terrasses du Larzac (2005) – “High quality up and comer”– Zone: Mountain– Only approved for Red wines. Whites and Rosés can be AOC Languedocy pp g– 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:y g p

• Reds: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (min 60%), Carignan, Cinsault (max 30%)– Notable producers:

• La Peira• Domaine du Pas de l’EscaletteDomaine du Pas de l Escalette• Mas Julien• Mas de l’Écriture

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs – Picpoul de Pinet

• AOC Picpoul de Pinet (1985) – “Picpoul, pick moules (mussels)!”– Zone: Coastal, Dominated by influence of nearby water, Bassin de Thau and

Mediterranean – Only approved for White wines. Reds and Rosés can be AOC Languedoc, often IGP– Perfect partners for all seafood– Alluvial soils, warm temperate climate– Key grapes:y g p

• Whites: Piquepoul– Notable producers:

• Les Costières de Pomerols• Domaine Félines JourdanDomaine Félines Jourdan• Cave l’Ormarine• Chateau Saint Martin de la Garrigue

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs – La Clape

• AOC La Clape (1998) – “Lush reds, unique whites”– Zone: Coastal– Only approved for Red and White wines. Rosés can be AOC Languedoc. *Home to y pp g

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 Cinsaulty ( ) g• Whites: Bourboulenc*(min 40%), Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne,

Roussanne, Piquepoul, Rolle– Notable producers:

• Gerard Bertrand• Mas du Soleilla• Chateau des Karantes

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs ‐ Corbières

• AOC Corbières (1985) – “Heartland of Carignan”– Zone: South, Cru located within is Boutenac– Approved for Reds (95%), Whites and Roséspp ( )– 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:y g p

• 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

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs ‐ Fitou

• AOC Fitou (1948) – “Big, hearty reds from the South”– Zone: South– One of the oldest appellations in Languedoc, only approved for Red wines, others pp g y pp

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

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs ‐Minervois

• AOC Minervois (1985 Reds (94%), Whites, Rosés) – “Marvelous Minervois”– Zone: Center, Cru located within is Minervois la Livinière– Varied soils, though predominantly clay/limestone. All vineyards are south facingg p y y y g– More emphasis on Syrah compared to neighbor Corbières– Key grapes:

• Reds/Rosés: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre (min 60%), Carignan, Cinsault, Terret, Aspiran, Piquepoul (max 40%)p q p ( )

• Whites: Marsanne, Roussanne, Macabeu, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Muscat à Petits Grains

– Notable producers:• Chateau d’Oupiap• Chateau Maris• Chateau Sainte Eulalie• L’Ostal Blanc

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs – Saint Chinian

• AOC Saint Chinian (1982 Reds/Rosés, 2005 Whites) – “Naturally intense”– Zone: Center, Crus located within are Saint Chinian Roquebrun, Saint Chinian Berlou– Schist soil in the north, clay/limestone to the south. Mediterranean climatey– 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 RimbertDomaine Rimbert• Chateau Bousquette• Chateau Viranel• Laurent Miquel

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs ‐ Faugères

• AOC Faugères (1982 Reds/Rosés, 2005 Whites) – “Mineral Reds”– Zone: Center– Schist soils dominate the area, altitude is noticeable compared to nearby areasp y– Combination of wind and soils temper the warm climate’s influence on wines; lots of

minerality– Key grapes:

• Reds/Rosés: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsaulty g• Whites: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino

– Notable producers:• Leon Barral• Abbaye Sylva PlanaAbbaye Sylva Plana• Chateau la Liquière

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs ‐ Limoux

• AOC Limoux (1938 Blanquette, 1990 Crémant, 1993 White, 2004 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, evidence dating to 1531 (pre-

dates 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

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Languedoc Wines: Key AOCs ‐Muscats

• AOC Muscats (1936, 1943, 1949, 1959) – “Sweet indulgences”– Zone: Central (Muscat Saint Jean de Minervois) and Coastal (others)– 4 separate AOCs for production, one single grape permitted: Muscat à petits grainsp p g g p p p g– 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:AOCs:• Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois (smallest)• Muscat de Frontignan (largest and oldest)• Muscat de Lunel• Muscat de Mireval• Muscat de Mireval

– Notable producers:• Les Vignerons de la Mediterreanée

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Summary

In summary, Languedoc AOP Wines are prime for discovery:discovery:• Authenticity – blend of history, tradition and

innovation• Diversity – all styles and colors• Quality/Value – great quality to price ratio

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LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: TODAY’S WINESTODAY S WINES

Languedoc AOP Wines: Today’s Wines

What wines are we tasting today?• Wine 1• Wine 1• Wine 2

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Languedoc AOP Wines: Today’s Wines

Wine Name with vintage

AOCAOC

Zone

Grapes/Blend

SRP

Vinification/Viticulture details

Notes onNotes on Producer

Tasting Notes

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Thank You!

For more information on Languedoc AOP Wines,g ,please visit www.languedocadventure.com