Unique Languedoc Wine Regions
If you’re looking for delicious, affordable wine, the Languedoc area of Southern France should be on your radar.
Small Family Wineries. Big Dreams.
Unique wine regions of the Languedoc are populated by small family wineries. While some date from the 19th century, the majority today are those run by the grandchildren of the original vignerons …
… or even examples of well-educated professionals who left the bigger cities behind in order to live off the land.
If you’re looking for delicious, affordable wine, the Languedoc area of Southern France should be on your radar.
Chateau Guiraud Boissezon in Saint Chinian
A key example of this subset of “new vignerons” is Chateau Guiraud Boissezon in the AOP region of Saint Chinian. Owner Michel Guiraud’s family had worked the vines since 1830. Yet it was his grandfather who planted the vast majority of the vines in 1900.
Michel’s wife, Pompilia Boissezon, made her living as a highly trained pharmacist before establishing their domaine. More recently she joined her husband full time in an export capacity. Today, their two sons actively work in the winery.
One of my favorite Domaine Boissezon Guiraud wines was the 2019 Les Cerises Saint Chinian. This a blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault.
I met the blonde Elizabeth Poux at one of my first tasting events. What I noticed first was the similarity between her sophisticated blonde elegance (including her all white outfit) and the finesse of her delicious white wine.
The Pech Menel vineyard is planted on stony slopes facing south.
As I spoke to Ms. Poux, I wondered if it was the scrub vegetation surrounding the vineyard scrub ( thyme, lavender, rosemary) that helped give the wine such expression of aroma and flavors
Domaine Castan of Saint Chinian
Gregarious Valerie Castan arrived at the first tasting to show off her delicious Domaine Castan rose wine.
Her parents Monique and André Castan grew up with their families owning vines. In 1993 they realized their dream of establishing their own domaine for bottled wine.
(In previous generations, many vineyard owners sold the juice only, instead of bottling under their own label.)
In 1997, they bottled their cuvée “Les Terres Rouges” under the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Languedoc. It was a turning point for the estate’s quest for quality.
In 2011, Valérie and her brother Guilhem joined the estate. Since 2015 Guilhem has become the winemaker. The estate is proud to be certified organic.
Unique Languedoc Wine Regions: The Terroir of Saint Chinian
What are the motivating factors that make a vigneron look at a piece of land and declare it is “magic?”
Saint Chinian producers would likely say the allure was St. Chinian’s sun, sky, and soil.
Recently I visited the overall Languedoc AOC region of Southern France. Producers I met all shared a love for their specific appellation.
One key element that separates Saint Chinian from neighboring appellations is its soil. Marked by limestone and clay soil, in the southern end you may find that the clay has a purple tinge.
Red, white, and rose styles of wine originate from the native grapes of the Languedoc: For red and rose wine, the key grapes are Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan. The appellation has restrictions/limits of how much of any one grape variety can be used in the blend.
Marsanne, Roussanne, and Vermentino grapes make up the white blend.
Walking the Soils of Saint Chinian
I felt privileged to spend an afternoon in the “wild” high elevation vineyards of St. Chinian. Though a relatively sunny day, the wind smacked at my face – a testament to the rugged climate.
Garrigue (the native thyme, lavender, rosemary) grew among the vines and scented the air.
One could also see small huts made of rocks, huts that looked thousands of years old (and well could be). Today they are used as shelter for vignerons and shepherds.
Unique Languedoc Wine Regions: Domaine Les Eminades
Offering a wine tasting outside one such shed stood Patricia Bettoni, who owns the domaine with her husband Luc.
They met at university and explored careers (pharmacy studies for Patricia, oenology for Luc)
Then in 2002 after living in many French wine regions they settled in Saint Chinian and focus on typical Languedoc grape varieties like old vine Carignan and Cinsault. Beyond the native varieties of Saint Chinian, they loved the way its diverse soil (clay-limestone, red sandstone, flint) could produce such spectacular wine.
Walking the Soils of Saint Chinian
Also showcasing their wine against the stunning backdrop of the St. Chinian hills was Christine Deleluze who runs the family vineyard with her brother, Luc.
What Christine loves about the terroir is the four distinct terroirs on the property, which give each cuvee a specific character.
Christine poured wine with the help of her university-aged daughter, now gearing up to increase her activity in the winery.
Clos Bagatelle
Also showcasing their wine against the stunning backdrop of the St. Chinian hills was Clos Bagatelle.
Christine Deleluze runs the family vineyard with her brother, Luc.
What Christine loves about the terroir is the four distinct terroirs on the property, which give each cuvee a specific character.
Christine poured wine with the help of her university-aged daughter, now gearing up to increase her activity in the winery.
AOP Picpoul de Pinet
The White Wine of the AOP Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul de Pinet is one of the very few Languedoc appellations dedicated solely to white wine production.
The appellation has taken the name of its Picpoul de Pinet grape. The grape itself is light and refreshing, with bracing acidity.
Delicious and affordable, the grape is a great alternative to the higher-priced Chablis, and drier than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Picpoul de Pinet is a great accompaniment to oysters and all shellfish.
AOP Picpoul de Pinet
Producers of Picpoul de Pinet
Domaine de Petit Roubié – vin hérault Pinet (petit-roubie.com) was the venue for a tasting of the wines of local producers.
Noted producers included family wineries Felines-Jourdan, Domaine Reine Juliette | wine estate in Languedoc, and the cooperative L’ormarine, https://www.cave-ormarine.com/ and
http://www.felines-jourdan.com/
Enjoying Pinot on a Boat – with Oysters!
The tasting continued with TOUR ON THE Bassin de Thau on board the boat Le Mansathau.
Bienvenue sur le Mansathau – Promenades sur l’Etang de Thau – Le bateau
Though a 20-seat sailing catamaran, the boat had a certain luxury. Especially when ultra-fresh oysters and Picpoul de Pinot are involved.
While sipping wine, one could see the oyster and mussel beds, and the workers tending them.
Final Thoughts
The variety of terroir in Saint Chinian and Picpoul de Pinot are just a few examples of why the Languedoc is a “must visit” on your next trip to France.
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