SUNNY SUD DE FRANCE
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
