When you open a bottle of wine from the Languedoc, you also open the spirit of its people, the region’s fresh air and climate and distinct terroir. I discovered these elements (and more) during my visit to the region where I participated in Languedoc Camp Session 1 with a handful of American and British journalists and sommeliers. This rural region in the south of France spans from Nimes/Montpellier to the Spanish border and offers not only an eye-opening, sensory experience from the minute you arrive but an energetic, creative vibe that I fully embraced.
It’s your turn to be a part of this region, too! Pour a glass of wine from the Languedoc and let’s start a lively conversation on Friday, October 22 at 3pm central/4pm eastern on Instagram Live! My friend Lisa Denning, writer at Grape Collective and a Languedoc Session 2 participant, is joining me. (Read on for more…)
The Languedoc wine region, the largest producer of organic wines in France, boasts 2500 years of history, but by all accounts, it’s just an infant with 23 AOPs and 14 designations spread over 4 departments. (Of the 14 designations, 9 are barely 20 years old.) Four major zones for grape growing span the large Mediterranean area known as the Occitanie region that reaches from the Spanish border to the southeast to the region of Provence in the east. It includes 37K+ hectares of vines on which 26 varieties are cultivated on soils of schist, sandstone, limestone and clay, depending on their location. And with three styles, sparkling, still (red, white, rosé) and sweet, versatility is a well-known element in the Languedoc. There’s a wine for everyone!
Affordability? Languedoc wines are a brilliant value and once you know where to look for quality, you’ll be hooked. During my camp experience, our group visited engaging, creative producers in
Saint Chinian where big and beautiful red wines of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault and white wines of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne were poured and sipped with classic dishes.
We experienced wine and food pairing experiences with a range of selections from the coastal appellation of
Picpoul de Pinet, a region known for their production of only white wines of Picpoul (Piquepoul). Our tastings revealed choices ranging from snappy and tart profiles to those with broad, more complex aromas and flavors.
In dynamic Faugères, full bodied red wines of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault reigned on the table and were a mouthwatering complement to traditional foods. Yet, the white wines of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino I tasted were outstanding and in my opinion, beg for more attention.
In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be doing a deeper dive into
Saint Chinian, Picpoul de Pinet and
Faugères with articles featuring key points about each area, specific wines to consider and personal experiences that helped me understand the freedom and spirit of the Languedoc.
Now this! I’d like you to join me on Instagram Live on Friday, October 22 at 3pm central/4pm eastern. Lisa Denning, writer at Grape Collective and a Languedoc Camp Session 2 participant, will join me in this lively, fun conversation. We’ll be talking about our unique experiences in the Languedoc (Lisa explored other exciting areas), don’t-miss sites to visit when you go, why this area is considered the next emerging wine region in France and so much more!
Log on to Instagram a bit before 3pm central/4pm eastern on Friday and find me @GrapeExp_Cindy Lisa and I will see you then!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
