Southern France

I’ve been away for a little bit, putting my full attention into getting my French Wine Scholar designation (FWS).  For my exam I had to know every nook and cranny of each French wine region, from Champagne (in the north) to Languedoc-Roussillon (in the south).  What a eclectic mix of grape varieties, climate and soil types there are within France.  And what amazes me is that there are over 1000 different and distinct wine grapes, but the average person has only experienced a handful.  This we need to change.  Wine is the glue that brings our meals together and should reflect the diversity of what we eat.  Southern France which includes the Languedoc-Roussillon, which I believe is our next big wine region, has a plethora of grape varieties that go into their wines; wines that are flavorful, inexpensive, and representative of its diverse terroir.  Their wines are a cross between rustic and elegant and fit perfectly into our “simplistic elegance” lifestyle.  This region has a vast history with a splash of Spanish influence.  Here are some wines that you should definitely seek out;

NV Cuvee Stephi Ebullience, Cremant de Limoux ~ this cuvee (a blend of grapes) is a mixture of chardonnay, chenin blanc, mauzac, and pinot noir.  Cremant means sparkling wine and this sparkler is as elegant as the name implies.  Smells of white flowers and citrus with a mouth-feel of citrus surrounded by fine bubbles.  It pairs well with tapas, seafood, white meat and goat cheese.

2007 Chateau de Lancyre Vielles Vignes, Pic Saint-Loup, Coteaux du Languedoc ~ yes the name is long, but most wine names in France are an expression of where they come from both inside and outside of the bottle.  This wine is made from hand picked syrah and grenache grapes.  It’s a special blend with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, plum and cherry surrounded by herbs.  A great wine paired with meaty dishes and spicy vegetables.

2009 Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige, Saint-Drezery, Languedoc – prestige it is with its blend of grenache noir, syrah and carignan.  Berry upon deep berry melded together.  This wine would pair well with rosemary encrusted lamb and roasted eggplant with herbs.

This is just a sampling of what Southern France has to offer and Languedoc-Roussillon wine can be found at any in-the-know wine shop.  Here’s a Roasted Lamb recipe that would go perfectly with the red wines here.   I encourage you to explore the wines of Southern France, such treasures they are!

enjoy