Increased recognition for the wines of the Languedoc

I would like to focus on the increasing International recognition that the wines of the Languedoc are receiving. The Languedoc is the largest vineyard in the world, producing more wine each year than the whole of Australia. While there have always been committed, quality driven winemakers in the Languedoc for to long the region rested on its laurels and was content to produce low quality, cheap wine in vast quantities to slake the thirst of the rest of France – and indeed the French forces who’s daily ration of wine often came from the Languedoc.

Over the past twenty years, and particularly since the late 1990’s, this situation has been transformed with the introduction of the latest wine making techniques; the use of temperature controlled fermentation; improved vineyard practices and many young winemakers, both from the region and elsewhere, having brought new ideas and a renewed vitally to Languedoc.

There is renewed international interest in the grape varieties that are best adapted to the regions warm climate; Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and the continuing renaissance of old vine Carignan. Historically the area was associated with red wine, but there is also an increasing amount of and interest in white wines exploiting the potential of grape varieties such as Rousanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Vermentino and even Sauvignon Blanc grown in the higher, cooler parts of the region.

The leading French wine magazine, La Revue du Vin de France, wrote the following in a recent issue: Listen here everything is moving: No other region of France has made as much progress in its wine making over the last 10 years as the Languedoc. You only have to look at the path travelled since the excellent 1998 vintage. In that year the local vignerons seem to have finally realised the huge potential of the excellent terroirs that they had at their disposal. Since then they have been refining the blends of grape varieties (Carignan, Mourvèdre, Syrah et Cabernets…), and further improving their winemaking. Today the best red wines of the Languedoc can claim the status of great wines.

In the words of Matthew Stubbs, Master of Wine who lives in the Languedoc; it’s not just the scale of the area but the sheer diversity of grape varieties and styles contained within it that arouses most interest. Within 2 hours drive you can find everything from Champagne style sparkling wines to sweet fortified reds. The complete spectrum of wine styles is here all in one place and that is unique. In other parts of the world you would have to take a plane ride, jump in a 4x4 and drive for hours to experience the same thrill. In the Languedoc, it’s all here on the doorstep.

So why not join us at Vineyard Partners and discover the wines of the Languedoc and experience some of the excitement yourself?