SUNNY SUD DE FRANCE

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Planet Grape  The SOMM Journal  AUGUST  SEPTEMBER 2015

 

It is time to take a look beyond the quaffable Vin de Pays wines of sunny Sud de France. Languedoc Roussillon is a treasure trove of clean, fruit-forward, food-friendly, value-priced wines to pour and to offer by the bottle well below $100. A common thread of rosemary, thyme and lavender runs through them, highlighting their fresh clean fruit. There is little to no oak in most instances.

 

Wines to Pour

nv Jean-Claude Mas a St. Hilaire Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose AOP Languedoc France 12%, 750 ml, $18.99

Elegant and lively.

2013 Domaine des Cantarelles Viognier Vin de Pays du Gard IGP Languedoc France 14%, 750 ml, $14

Perfumed, fruity, and soft.

2013 Le Jade Pays d’Oc IGP Languedoc France  13.5%, 750 ml, $9.99

Creamy Chardonnay mingles with exotic Viognier.

2014 Domaine Sainte Croix Cuvee Montlaures Rose Languedoc AOP France  12.5%, 750 ml, $16

Dry subtle Provencal style Grenache-Cinsault Rose.

2013 Beauvignac Syrah Rose Pays d’Oc IGP Languedoc France  12.5%, 750 ml, $9.99

Light, dry and tart.

2012 La Maroutte Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc Languedoc France  13%, 750 ml, $13.99

Soft and pretty.

2012 La Marouette Cabernet Sauvignon VDP d’Oc IGP Languedoc France  13%, 750 ml, $13.99

Sunny, plump, easy-going Cabernet made with organically grown grapes.

2010 Domaine Cazes Muscat de Rivesaltes AOP Roussillon France  15%, 375 ml, $24

Clean, rich, bright, sweet and balanced.

 

Wines To List

 2014 HP Picpoul de Pinet AOP Coteaux du Languedoc France  12.5%, 750 ml, $9.99

Bone dry, crisp, and light.

2011 Domaine Sainte Rose La Marin Blanc Marsanne-Roussanne Pays d’Oc IGP Languedoc France 13.5%, 750 ml, $19.99

Soft, fresh and juicy.

2011 Clos du Gravillas Minervois AOC Languedoc France  14%, 750 ml, $40.99

A baby Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.

2009 Domaine Sainte Rose La Garrigue Cotes de Thongue IGP Languedoc France  14.5%, 750 ml, $17.99

This GSM blend is ripe and juicy, and lightly oaked.

2013 Castelmaure Col Des Vents Corbieres AOP Languedoc France  13.5%, 750 ml, $11.99

Juicy, balanced Carignan/Grenache/Syrah.

2011 Chateau de la Negly La Cote Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape AOC France 14.5%, 750 ml, $15

Soft, rich and fruity.

2012 Clos du Gravillas Rendez-Vous Sur La Lune Minervois AOP Languedoc France  14%, 750 ml, $18

Firm, tank-fermented Carignan/Syrah.

2010 Les Villages de Terroir Cotes du Roussillon Villages Caramany AOC Languedoc Roussillon France 13.5%, 750 ml, $18

Complex, taut, and meaty.

2013 Chateau Paul Mas Coteaux du Languedoc AOC France  14.5%, 750 ml, $23.99

Dark, sultry and juicy.

2013 Michel Chapoutier Bila Haut Occultum Lapidum Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France AOC Languedoc Roussillon France 14%, 750 ml, $30

Deeply fruity and reflective of its sunny origin.

 

High Volume Chain/Club

2013 Maison Cubi Syrah Carignan Vin de France 3L Bag in Box $33

The source is Corbieres but this is heavier, darker, and richer than what is typically found there.

 

 

 

For full reviews visit http://planetgrapewinereview.com/?s=SUD+DE+FRANCE

 

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