The Languedoc-Roussillon region of France is one of the largest and most productive wine regions in the world. It is home to a huge number of vineyards and producers, and the growing conditions here are conducive to making really amazing products. The region is largely coastal and gets a great deal of sunlight, low rainfall and wind, all of which contribute towards the creation of full bodied, beautiful tasting wines.
Languedoc wine is highly prized and has become renowned for its quality over the last ten years. Before this period, wine from this region was considered to be fair, but not really worthy of any headlines. The region was once the largest producer in the world, producing an average of 2.1 billion bottles every single year. A change in attitude from the majority of the estimated 2,800 producers led to a new focus on quality. Since then the reputation of the region has been completely changed and production has been cut back slightly, allowing Chile and other regions to become larger producers. The sacrifice was well worth it, because quality has dramatically improved.
The change to quality over quantity saw many of the co-op vineyards taken over and given a new lease of life. Producers started planting more and more different varieties of grape and experimenting with flavours. The result is a stunning range of vibrant, flavoursome, dynamic wines.
We are proud to offer two of our very favourite Languedoc wines. The first is the 2014 Picpoul de Pinet from Domaine La Croix Gratiot. This beautiful white has a lively character with stone fruits, apple and spice creating an amazing flavour. The grapes are specially harvested at night rather than during the day as it helps to preserve the flavours and gives the wine a brilliant fragrance. This wine is a great representation of the region and the seaside location.
The other option is a 2013 Cigalus by Gerard Bertrand , one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the region. The wine is a classic example of the change in Languedoc; it contains a special mix of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to give it a unique taste. Grapes are selected from various vineyards so only the best ones go into making this amazingly rich, well balanced wine. You’ll get stone fruit flavours with just a hint of tropical fruit as well. The savoury finish makes this wine a truly sophisticated option.
