“We’re looking for value,” the well-dressed couple at the elegant Le Cirque restaurant in Manhattan tells the sommelier. “A really delicious, quality wine at a great price. What do you recommend?”
In today’s new economic world, thousands of Americans are asking sommeliers the same question. And according to most sommeliers I’ve interviewed, some of the best values in the wine world are from the Languedoc region of France.
Once dismissed as an area for bulk wine production, the Languedoc today represents some of the finest crafted wines at the best value. Dating back to ancient Romans, this region — with its 315 days of sunshine and cleansing winds — has the kind of varied soils and altitudes that make for a wide variety of wines, both red and white. Beyond that, fifty percent of the wineries are organic, which reflects the passion of today’s energetic, educated, young generation of winemakers.
Understanding Local Varietals
Most Americans are familiar with grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. You will find a Syrah blend in the Languedoc, which may include Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, and Carignan in varying proportions depending on the producer, the region, the altitude, and the soils.
Understanding the AOCs
If you love wine, you have probably heard the term “AOC.” This is an acronym for Appellation d’origine, which translates as "controlled term of origin.” It is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products - all under the auspices of the government bureau. It is a lengthy process for a wine region to get its own AOC, as it must prove how it is different and unique from surrounding regions.
You will find 22 AOCs in the Languedoc, and I have tasted most of them. In blind tastings I can usually identify a wine from the larger Languedoc region, as they tend to have a characteristic taste of the Carignan grape, and scents that include blueberry, purple flowers such as violets, and sun-ripened plum.
The individual AOC regions include Cabardes, Clairette du Languedoc, Corbieres, Corbieres-Boutenac, Faugeres, Gres de Montpellier, La Clap, Languedoc, Limoux, Malepere, Minervois, Minervois la Laviniere, Muscat, Pezanas, Picpoul de Pinet, Pic Saint Loup, Saint Chinian, Saint Chinian Berlou, Saint Chinian Roquebrun, Terrasses de Beziers, Terrasses du Larzac, and Terres de Sommieres.
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