The Wandering Wino Blog
The Revolution of Languedoc Wines
Written by shawn on date 03 May 2016 in Wine Culture, Wine Regions, Winemakers
History often reveals revolutionaries and pioneers as brave explorers that are often greatly respected and admired. Vineyard growers and people producing wine in the Languedoc region in the south of France show all signs of being those that are planting a stake in the ground to establish something great.
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The dichotomy is that while Languedoc is both the oldest and largest producing region (220K Hectares or 544K acres from the city of Nimes to Spain) in France, it is still a region that appears to be reestablishing itself in the wine world, and it deserves recognition.
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"The terroir of the region goes back to the 9th century when the Greeks and Romans planted vineyards in the best places," as stated by Jean-Phillippe Granier, Technical Director of AOC Languedoc. It wasn't long before vineyard names were established with distinction.
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Jump to 1936 when the (AOC) region of Languedoc was established, and the region mainly produced wines for everyday consumption. Over the past 20 years or so, some wine growers are proving themselves as high quality producers, yet maintain very favorable pricing for the consumer.
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Many of these producers might be considered by some as renegades because they are able to express more freedom in their wine production.
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The producers of the region have a bit more flexability in the (PDO - Protected Designation of Origin) wines production such as: What grapes can be blended or specific percentages in blends for example. Because of this freedom in the region, and its resurgence in producing high-quality wines, it has drawn winemakers from outside the region. One might say, there is a wine revolution happening in Languedoc.
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Some may see this freedom as the opportunity for the winemakers to express themselves, and even produce a better wine. Undoubtedly, it does allow for a greater diversity of wines produced in Languedoc.
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The wines stylistically range from elegant, sense-of-place wines, with minimalistic intervention, while others offer a more New World style with a generosity of fruit, a bit more alcohol and oak influence. I like to think of this contrast as elegant stained-glass to bold gargoyles-style of wines. One thing that showed consistent in both styles was the freshness of the wines. Undoubtedly, there is something for everyone to appreciate.
As the largest wine region in the world, it is no surprise Languedoc boasts a great diversity of varietals. The diverse climate has cooler regions producing Chardonnay, Sparkling wines, and even a little Pinot Noir, while the hotter regions are producing varietals like Cabernet Savignon. Much of Languedoc seems to produce varietals like Syrah, Carignon, Mourvedre, Grenache, Roussanne, and 61% of the regions still white wine, Picpoul de Pinet, among many others.
Q - When asking winegrowers from the region "What they thought Americans do not know about Languedoc that they should?", the responses were similar and made a lot of sense.
A - (Americans) "Don't have the history. They need to discover and experience. They would be surprised. They should visit or try the wine."- Eric Fabre Chateau D' Angeles (AOC Le Clape)A - "There are lots of different terriors. They may think one fruity style, but there are lots of styles and lots of terroir. (The terroir) is very different 1 kilo-meter from another. You can find whatever style you want in all prices. They must understand the personality of the region and the winery."- Laurent Calmel (partner of Calmel & Joseph)
Much like revolutionaries and explorers of history, it shouldn't take long for the Languedoc region to gain the attention, respect, and admiration deserved for its wines and the people producing them.
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