By country :: France :: Languedoc
These days, the Languedoc is viewed as the region in France which most closely resembles the wine growing conditions and philosophy of the New World, so much so that a number of Aussies, Kiwis and a handful of Brits have settled in the region to establish new wineries.
Despite the fact that vines have been present in the region since the times of the Romans, the Languedoc has only emerged as a wine growing region to be reckoned with in the past 20 years. Prior to that date, the viticulture of the Languedoc had been dominated by co-operatives and large producers, creating wines which were uninteresting and mass produced.
Now though, the INAO (the French body that governs appellations) has identified specific appellations that they regulate and manage, giving a new breed of young, passionate and quality driven producers the opportunity to establish small independent vineyards. Countless small producers have emerged and as a result, the quality of production in the region has increased dramatically. By combining the terroirs and modern techniques, Languedoc is able to offer approachable, Mediterranean style wines that are terrific value for money.
This year, we have introduced a new range of entry level wines called Terre des Olivettes which offers excellent value for money. We are also delighted to have added two stunning, small boutique wineries which we highly recommend, namely Clos Fantine in Faugères and a white Minervois from Domaine Cros, quite simply as it was the best white wine from the region that we tasted last year!
Philippe
Found 16 products.
Château La Voulte-Gasparets Cuvée Reservée, 2009Our price: £16.90 CHÂTEAU LA VOULTE-GASPARETS – Patrick Reverdy
Chardonnay, Domaine Nordoc, 2011Our price: £8.45Stephane Vedeau & Claude Serra
Corbieres, Cuvée Tradition, La Condamine 2011Our price: £8.75CHÂTEAU LA CONDAMINE – Henri Barronet
Domaine Bassac 'Lo Bartas' Organic Rosé 2012Our price: £8.70An organic family run estate based in the small medieval settlement of Puisalicon. The 60 hectare estate provides varied soils as well as grape varieties, their whites made from Sauvignon, Muscat and Chardonnay, while their reds are created using Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault among others. They cultivate all their vineyards in a completely organic manner, using compost and organic fertilisers to treat their soil and completing all weeding and ploughing by hand. They also only use natural products to treat their vines and other crops.
Domaine Bassac Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2012Our price: £9.80An organic family run estate based in the small medieval settlement of Puisalicon. The 60 hectare estate provides varied soils as well as grape varieties, their whites made from Sauvignon, Muscat and Chardonnay, while their reds are created using Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault among others. They cultivate all their vineyards in a completely organic manner, using compost and organic fertilisers to treat their soil and completing all weeding and ploughing by hand. They also only use natural products to treat their vines and other crops.
Faugeres Tradition, Clos Fantine, Biodynamic/Natural, 2010Our price: £14.75Despite not holding an official certificate to indicate that their estate is organic or biodynamic, the Andrieu family conduct all operations at Clos Fantine with the utmost respect for nature. Run nowadays by two sisters and a brother, the estate, which is situated in Faugères, looks wild and relatively untamed, but this approach fits the family ethos, that vines should be allowed to “grow like any other local plant, in a state that verges on the wild.” This approach gives their wines a most pure, natural flavour; their rough, meaty reds bringing you closer to nature with every drop you drink.
Le Petit d'Oc Blanc 2011Our price: £6.35Made with Roussanne, Grenache and Rolle, the white shows notes of citrus fruits such as grapefruit and green lemon, completed by a sensation of fruit bark and liquorice.
Le Petit d'Oc Rouge 2011Our price: £6.35A blend of Syrah and Grenache. Cherry, redcurrant and pear characters dominate, while the palate offers lovely freshness and persistence.
Merlot Domaine Bassac Organic 2011Our price: £9.20An organic family run estate based in the small medieval settlement of Puisalicon. The 60 hectare estate provides varied soils as well as grape varieties, their whites made from Sauvignon, Muscat and Chardonnay, while their reds are created using Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault among others. They cultivate all their vineyards in a completely organic manner, using compost and organic fertilisers to treat their soil and completing all weeding and ploughing by hand. They also only use natural products to treat their vines and other crops.
Merlot Terre des Olivettes 2011Our price: £7.35With the help of our friends at Caves d’Alignan, we have successfully developed this brand new range of wines for release in 2012. The Caves d’Alignan is a Co-operative in the Languedoc region that has a very good reputation for producing quality wines utilising modern techniques. In the past few years, Alignan has augmented its modern winery with the addition of further, up to date equipment that ensures that all their wines are of a consistently high quality. Situated in the Côtes de Thongue area, the vineyards benefit from the Mediterranean climate, giving their grapes good ripeness, yet also are exposed to a northern prevailing wind ensuring good levels of acidity; an important factor to give wines a balanced feel.
Minervois Blanc, Domaine Cros, 2011Our price: £12.25Just a few kilometres from Carcassone, Domaine Cros is a vineyard that is most definitely not blessed with lush, healthy soil. The earth on Pierre Cros’ estate is so thin and devoid of nutrients that only the hardiest plants, such as vines and olive trees, are able to survive. These desert-like conditions make the sheer quality of Pierre’s wines all the more remarkable, his Minervois Blanc a particular delight. Created using a combination of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Piquepoul Blanc, very fresh but having some weight on the palate, it contains yellow plum and apricot notes as well as a hint of fennel, a simple rugged, quality wine.
Picpoul de Pinet Domaine des Lauriers 2012Our price: £8.50The art of creating the perfect Picpoul de Pinet, often nicknamed the ‘lip-stinger’ as a result of its high levels of acidity, is a challenge which Marc Cabrol, owner of Domaine des Lauriers, has spent his entire career tackling. Located between Montpellier and Beziers, the estate was bought by Cabrol in 1969, and since then he has set about crafting beautiful, citrus-scented Picpoul wines that provide the perfect partner to any shellfish, and particularly fresh seafood.
Pinot Noir, Domaine La Boussole, 2011Our price: £11.05The vines grow in a completely natural environment in harmony with Provencal vegetation. The vines are tended all year long with the sole aim of producing top quality fruit.No chemicals or pesticides are used (other than in the case of disease).
Saint Chinian, Cuvée “Une et Mille Nuits”, 2008Our price: £18.00In a region dominated by rugby and a rugged landscape, Domaine Canet Valette showcases a sense of honesty and earnestness that really epitomises its locale. Headed by winemaker Marc Valette, the estate comprises vines which very much play second fiddle to mountains and the wind in the area’s order of nature, yet are cultivated to produce wonderful wines. Marc’s attention to detail and use of natural methods ensures his wines are as pure a reflection of the earth as possible. The estate was certified as organic in 1999, and since then, biodynamic practices have seen a rise in the quality of produce. The rustic nature of Marc’s traditional methods permeates all stages of the production process and, to this day, he still treads all his grapes by foot!!
Sauvignon Blanc, Terre Des Olivettes, 2011Our price: £7.35With the help of our friends at Caves d’Alignan, we have successfully developed this brand new range of wines for release in 2012. The Caves d’Alignan is a Co-operative in the Languedoc region that has a very good reputation for producing quality wines utilising modern techniques. In the past few years, Alignan has augmented its modern winery with the addition of further, up to date equipment that ensures that all their wines are of a consistently high quality. Situated in the Côtes de Thongue area, the vineyards benefit from the Mediterranean climate, giving their grapes good ripeness, yet also are exposed to a northern prevailing wind ensuring good levels of acidity; an important factor to give wines a balanced feel.
St. Chinian Domaine St Jean Le Conques 2009Our price: £9.00Hand picked selection for the Syrah and Mourvèdre, the grapes are de-stemmed and vinified using traditional methodology. After a short cuvaison, wines are stored in French oak barrels where the wine will age and improve for 12 months or so. Beautiful deep red, intense colour is combined with a complex nose of cherry, mint and garrigue character from its distinctive terroir. The wine has wonderful depth and a smooth and round structure on the palate.
