As part of
a family trip to Europe last July, we spent a week in stonkingly hot (45C) southern
France with three days based in Carcassonne. Venturing out of our air-conditioned
Airbnb apartment to take wine tours with a local boutique operator, we covered
two local appellations – Corbières and Minervois.
Languedoc-Roussillon
for many years was regarded as a bulk producer of cheap and not very good wine.
The European ‘wine lake’ phenom of the 1980s was largely due to hyperproduction
from this very region. However, things have changed. Modern winemaking
techniques have resulted in much better quality wine, and some boutique
wineries are stepping away from the hidebound French appellation rules and
growing non-traditional varieties such as cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir.
The hot, dry region grows approx 75% red grapes including carignan, grenache, cinsault, mourvèdre, syrah and merlot. Whites include a number of obscure varieties like clairette, rolle, and picpoul and a few standards such as muscat, viognier and chardonnay.
Languedoc boasts 320 days of sunshine and I can confirm that there is sun - and a lot of it. Most days when we exited the Airbnb we would subconsciously head straight for the shady cool side of the street. Local history is quite fascinating and sadly barbaric. An 11th Century heretical Christian sect known as Cathars flourished and built many churches, and becoming the majority religion in many places in the region. Within a hundred years, they were ruthlessly persecuted and exterminated by the mainstream Catholic church.
Sorry to kill the holiday atmos. Anyhoo – here we go with some ab fab local wines.
Châteu Tourens Minervois
Languedoc-Roussillon 2013 $NZ 16.40
Typically French and a tad rustic, it has slightly dusty aromas with prune and plums. In the mouth it’s plummy, savoury and earthy with soft tannins and hints of rhubarb and liquorice. Medium bodied and soft. Match with mushroom risotto.
Availability – Regional Wines & Spirits Wellington.
Typically French and a tad rustic, it has slightly dusty aromas with prune and plums. In the mouth it’s plummy, savoury and earthy with soft tannins and hints of rhubarb and liquorice. Medium bodied and soft. Match with mushroom risotto.
Availability – Regional Wines & Spirits Wellington.
Gérard Gertrand Corbières 2013
$NZ 28.00
Robust and chunky red. Smells like cedar, anise and black plums. Tastes like a medium to big tannic red with flavours of plums, Christmas cake, and dark Ghana chocolate. Long finish of savoury spice and tannin.
Availability - Caro’s Wines
Robust and chunky red. Smells like cedar, anise and black plums. Tastes like a medium to big tannic red with flavours of plums, Christmas cake, and dark Ghana chocolate. Long finish of savoury spice and tannin.
Availability - Caro’s Wines
Châteu Olliex Romanis Corbières
2014 Purchased in France
A renowned label in the Corbières appellation, Fab and Bordeaux-like, this is a blend of four local grapes - carignan, grenache, mourvedre, and syrah. Very full, soft, ripe and juicy, it’s a slightly gamey with aromas of leather and savoury spices. Flavours of cassis, black plums, bouquet garni, and roast meat. Dry lengthy finish with fine tannins.
A renowned label in the Corbières appellation, Fab and Bordeaux-like, this is a blend of four local grapes - carignan, grenache, mourvedre, and syrah. Very full, soft, ripe and juicy, it’s a slightly gamey with aromas of leather and savoury spices. Flavours of cassis, black plums, bouquet garni, and roast meat. Dry lengthy finish with fine tannins.
Phil runs wine tours in Auckland - to Kumeu, Waiheke and Matakana
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