Languedoc Generic Reds - TonghamTaster’s French Wine Tasting Course – week 10

Vineyards near Beziers

The 12 month on-line course to help you learn about French wines - Top tips on how to get value when buying them - Reasonably priced up-to-date recommendations of what to buy and try in the UK - Bringing you the best of Tongham Village Hall wine tastings.

INTRODUCTION
For March we will study the Languedoc-Roussillon wine area of Southern France, which is one of the oldest, largest and best value wine regions in the world. This week we cover the large generic red appellations of the Languedoc, before going on to some of the more specific appellations over the next three weeks. Later in the year we will cover some of the exciting Vins de Pays from the region.

LOCALITY
The Coteaux du Languedoc is a very large wine area on the Mediterranean stretching from around the city of Montpelier south west to Narbonne and inwards from the coast to the mountains. Since 2007 there has been an even larger generic appellation in the area – the AOC Languedoc that covers the area all the way from Nimes in the east to the Spanish border and thus now covers Roussillon as well. The old Coteaux du Languedoc AOC will continue to be used until 2012. Many well known AOCs like St Chinian, Faugeres, Fitou, Minervois and Corbieres fall in this area but we will cover them separately next week.

VARIETALS
About 80% of the wine produced in this area is red with the balance split roughly equally between white and rose.
For the red and rose wines the main grapes are Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre with Carignan and Cinsault permitted in smaller quantities. All wines must be a blend of at least two grape varieties. The exact percentagse vary between the different appellations.

THE WINES
I remember first really appreciating the Coteaux du Languedoc wines as recently as 2003 when I bought a case of Chateau Rieutort Clos des Charmes 2000 which was a really beautiful wine. Like many of the wines of the region it was Grenache based (80%) but blended with 3 other varietals.

We have already mentioned the two main appellations – the old Coteaux du Languedoc and the newer AOC Languedoc which we will see increasingly on our wine shelves. These are wines of varying quantity but there are some gems amongst them and in most cases represent good value for money.

Jane tasting in La Clape

However, there are some sub-appellations that need to be mentioned such as La Clape and Pic Saint Loup amongst others. These are often better quality and so look out for these names on the label.

Another thing about Languedoc wines - there is no specified bottle shape, so you may see them in both Bordeaux and Rhone shaped bottles.

THE TASTE


A favourite of mine



The red wines tend to be full bodied and often quite alcoholic. You will get the usual berry flavours along with a variety of non-fruit flavours as well. In such a large appellation you will het a variety of quality and tastes.

TOP TIPS
• The wines of the Coteaux du Languedoc often represent great value for money.
 • There are some well known high quality large producers such as Gerard Bertrand that you will often see in the supermarkets and are worth trying.

• Also look out for the wines of JeanJean who are two women who produce wines in the Languedoc - again these are good value for money wines.

HOMEWORK
For your homework this week you need to buy and try any Coteaux du Languedoc or AOC Languedoc red and you may wish to try one of my recommendations below. Remember that you will only learn about wines by tasting them.
Waitrose - Chateau l'Hospitalet Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Gerard Bertrand 2008 - About £11
or Waitrose – Chateau Callage 2008 Coteaux du Languedoc – About £8 but £6 this week.
Or Majestic – La Vielle Capitelle 2009 AOC Languedoc – About £8 but £5 if you buy 2 or more.
Or Marks and Spencers - Chateau du Parc 2008 Coteaux du Languedoc – about £7.50.

FOOD PAIRINGS
The Languedoc reds are great BBQ wines and go well with grilled red meats and sausages.

COMING SOON
Next week we move on to the reds of St Chinian, Faugeres, Fitou, Minervois and Corbieres.

If you missed the early weeks of this course, it is not too late to catch up. Just click on the French Wine Course link at the top of this page.