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TASTE LANGUEDOC,TASTE ADVENTURE

‘Leurs Vins Pour Notre Temps’Training Presentation


Languedoc


Why Languedoc?

• History: Oldest Wine Culture in France

• Diversity: Soil, Varieties, Traditions

• Consistency and Quality: no, seriously!

• Trend Leaders: Rosé and Organic


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, 1544 (sorry Dom Pérignon)

• Gosset, oldest Champagne house founded 1584

• Mutage developed in 12th 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… 12th – 14th century!



• Largest Quality Wine Region in the world

• Approximately 1.4 million hectoliters produced in 2018 (of AOC wines)

• Roughly 15.5 million 9L cases

• 1/3 of all French wine is from Languedoc-Roussillon

• 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

• Rosé Takes Center Stage

• +25% in rosé winemaking in the past two years - Languedoc is the leading producer of rosé in France

• Accounts for 30% of total French rosés and 11% of the world’s production.

• Greatest Number of French Organic Vineyards

• 29% of all French Organic Vineyards, 6% of global



• The Rise of Languedoc Rosé

• An increase in production of +68% in two years time

• Languedoc is the new first name is rosé!

62%= Production share of the regional AOC Languedoc appellation

Rosé production (in hL) from the AOCs of Languedoc



• Organic Leaders

• Currently the largest organic vineyard area in France, over 22k hectares

• Thinking long term, planning for the future

29% of all French organic viticulture

6% of global organic viticulture

Largest amount of French vineyard area currently in conversion (5,829 ha)

Double the amount of organic vineyard area

The 10 Year Plan

40% of producers with some form of high value certification, such as Terra Vitis

60% of surfaces committed to the process of sustainable development

Now


Languedoc: Location, Influences

Pyrenees Mtns

Mediterranean Sea

Cevennes Mtns

‘Tramontane’ Wind

‘Marin’ Wind

Sunshine, Winds, Little Rainfall and Geological Diversity


Languedoc: Diversity Within

5 Main Zones: Elemental Languedoc

• 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

Center

South

Coastal

Mountain

West


Languedoc: Production and Styles

• 93% of wines are still

• 5% sparkling: Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir

• 2% fortified: Muscats

• 74% of still wines are red

• Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane, Cinsault, Cinsault…

• 16% of still wines are rosé

• 10% of still wines are white

• Piquepoul, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier…

10%16%

74%

Blanc

Rosé

Rouge

Production breakdown of the Languedoc AOP wines


Languedoc: Regional Breakdown

• 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

• The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vinsdu Languedoc (CIVL) represents the AOPs and IGPs - But NOT IGP Pays d’Oc

• Within the AOP segment, Languedoc is seeing an ongoing evolution of appellations and designations

IGP60%

26%

AOP14%

Vins SANS Indication Geographique(ex-Vins de Table) = Vin de France


Languedoc: Prevailing Terroirs

Calcaires / limestones

Galets roulés / rolled pebbles

Grès / sandstone

Schistes/shales Molasses Sandy-clay and clay-limestone 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.


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”

• ~30% of France’s organic wine comes from Languedoc


Languedoc: Misunderstandings

• Evolution – the number of scores for Languedoc AOC wines given by the Wine Advocate

• 25 fold increase in 5 years

• Publication now dedicated to reviewing the wines annually


Languedoc: Selling Points

Why should you and your customers choose Languedoc Wines?

• Features and Benefits

• Fast growing category → strong interest in the category, consumers are seeking these out as the new ‘discoveries’

• Mediterranean influence → Consistency from year to year

• Great QPR → consumers will find quality in each bottle

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


Languedoc: Selling points

More reasons to choose Languedoc

• Blanquette and Crémant de Limoux are traditional method, sparkling wines (Champagne quality) at much more approachable prices

• Languedoc’s rosé wines offer Provence style for more approachable prices.

• Discovery - Whites and reds offer new grapes and blends for consumers to enjoy

• ~30% of all of France’s organic viticulture comes from Languedoc


Languedoc: The Pitch

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 production

• Key grapes from the region are ones you might already know like Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre

• AOC segment represents top quality


Languedoc: The Pitch

What to focus on if you have - 2 minutes with a customer:

• Languedoc, South of France produces wines of all styles and colors: reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and sweet wines

• 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

• 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

• And some of the first sparkling wines in France

• AOC segment represents top quality

• Wines showcase notes of garrique (blend of wild herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage), which you cook with, making these wines great food partners


Languedoc: Key Appellations


Languedoc: Keys Appellations

What are some of the AOCs (AOPs) 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)


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)


Pic Saint Loup

• Pic Saint Loup – “Closest to Rhone” – recently elevated to stand alone AOC (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


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%)


• La Peira

• Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette

• Mas Julien

• Mas de l’Écriture


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


• Les Costières de Pomerols

• Domaine Félines Jourdan

• Cave l’Ormarine

• Chateau Saint Martin de la Garrigue


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


• Gerard Bertrand

• Mas du Soleilla

• Chateau des Karantes


Corbières

• Corbières – “Heartland of Carignan”

• Zone: South, AOC Corbières-Boutenac is located within larger Corbières area

• 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%)


• Ollieux Romanis

• Domaine de Fontsainte


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


• Mont Tauch


Minervois

• Minervois (Reds (94%), Whites, Rosés) – “Marvelous Minervois”

• Zone: Center, AOC Minervois la Livinière is located within greater Minervois

• 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


• Chateau d’Oupia

• Chateau Maris

• Chateau Sainte Eulalie

• L’Ostal Blanc


Saint-Chinian

• Saint-Chinian (Reds/Rosés, Whites) – “Naturally intense”

• Zone: Center

• 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%)


• Caves de Roquebrun

• Domaine Rimbert

• Chateau Viranel

• Laurent Miquel


Faugères

• Faugères (Reds/Rosés, Whites) – “Mineral Reds”

• Zone: Center

• 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


• Leon Barral

• Abbaye Sylva Plana

• Chateau la Liquière

• Les Crus Faugères – Mas Olivier


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 (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


• Saint Hilaire

• J. Laurens

• Antech

• Gerard Bertrand

• Domaine Martinolles


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


• Les Vignerons de la Mediterreanée


Today’s Wines

• Wine 1

• Wine 2

• Wine 3 etc.


Today’s Wines

Wine Name with vintage

AOC

Zone

Grapes/Blend

SRP

Vinification/Viticulture details

Notes on Producer

Tasting Notes


Thank you!For more information on Languedoc Wines,please visit www.languedocadventure.com

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taste languedoc, taste adventure...• languedoc, south of france produces wines of all styles and...

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