In this video, Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine will discuss the red wines of Minervois from the Languedoc Roussillon of southern France. He’ll discuss a bit about the region, the style of wines along with a tasting of a wine with good international distribution.
Minervois has a Mediterranean climate, between Carassonne and Narbonne. It’s a higher elevation site versus much of the surrounding region. The vast majority of the wine made there is red, with a hefty amount being made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut and Carignan. The wines tend to be deep, dense, hearty, savory, spicy with moderate tannin levels. Really good examples can be found for under $20.
The wine to be tasted in this video was purchased at Total Wine and More, but the producer (Gerard Bertrand) has a broad range that is sold in many international markets. Over the last several years, Gerard has become a very visible champion for the wines from the south of France owning 17 properties across the region.
2020 Gerard Bertrand Oriane Minervois $17.99 (tasted in video)
2021 Gerard Bertrand Minervois ‘An 873’ $14
2020 Domaine Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois La Ciaude $27
2020 Chateau de Paraza Minervois Cuvee Speciale $15
2021 Domaine Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot Minervois Les Carretals $53
2021 Domaine du Somail Minervois ‘Le Vin de Plume’ $22
2020 Domaine Benjamin Taillandier Minervois Laguzelle $30 – Outstanding
2020 Domaine Pujol Minervois ‘Dius a Vol’ $30 – Outstanding
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22 Comments
Imo the Languedoc Rousillon region Produces some of the best wines in all of France St. Chinian Minervois Costirre de Nimes Hey Bob a friend of mine in the Biz Told me that a lot of Bordeaux producers are buying up land down there Am I behind The Times or have you heard about it? Just curious great video oh There really are so many little communes appellations Producing some really really good 50/50 Cab Syrah blends and 100% Carignan Oh well, sorry to gabbon. I hope people that haven't yet Try to seek out this region and a lot of these wines, they're really fantastic 🍷CHEERS🍷
Bob, I like the new shooting format including the close ups of the wine in the glass. Perhaps shoot that with a whiter background so we can really see color density. I am also a big fan of high quality Corbieres.
Next time around in southern France, try to book up a table a few months ahead for the Grands Buffets in Narbonne. Their wine list features regional wines only, and there's a hefty two-three pages worth of it!
A side note: you've really solved the YouTube wine colour dilemma by coming up with the shot from the bottom of the glass. It DOES make the colour visible, from the core to the rim.
Absolutely, these two regions have a lot to offer any drinker, reds, whites, rose, sparkling, sweet, drink now to age-able wines, simple to glasses full of garrigue…..usually with good QPR. Ticks all the boxes. Bertrand is also committed to biodynamic and biodiversity in their production in the region too, so another box ticked. For the change in the video production, liked it! Always good to see different views, and actions, if I could suggest, if you’re showing wines from a region not well known, (or even if it is) maybe a window or few frames with that region from a map could be interesting to have for references?
Thanks for another great wine suggestion. I checked and my Miami total wine. I will see when I can make it out to pick up a bottle.
I did not know that a sub $20 bottle would age well. Nice. I like the short format, and your channel is only 1 of 3 channels that I have the notification due to the limited availability of the wines featured.
Long one of my favorite growing regions. Wish you wouldn't broadcast it! I might get too popular and I won't find my bottles. (LOL). I especially apprieciate you highlighting the "Outstanding" demarcation for the ones you find special. Folks that follow you understand your valuable insights and by highlighting the very best, you do all of a great service.
Thoroughly enjoy the depth of information you provide, Bob- not too much but very helpful for anyone like me that appreciates wine, has good general knowledge and wants to expand our wine horizon. Thanks! I will be looking for this one on my next trip to our wine shop.
I like the new format of shooting, but was A-OK with the old format too. I tend to focus on the content of videos, rather than the background, and I find your video content very informative and engaging. On a separate note, may I request a video on the merits (and shortcomings) of wine preservation systems – Coravin, Vacu Vin and the like? Thanks in advance.
Your content is always clear, clean and palatable. The audio sounds a bit muffled today and although it's always nice to be in someone's home your choice of background seems a bit distracting, no offense intended, but my eye was drawn over your shoulder. Rave on Bob!
Good info. Background looks a little cluttered, audio was more difficult to hear than usual.
Great rundown on Minervois! Looking forward to finding a bottle now. Audio seemed to go to hell in this video – very low volume compared to others. But looking forward to more, Bob! Thanks!
Thank you, your videos have helped me find some good bargain wines, I've never tried the Minervois but I will search for it now.
Btw Bob, check your mic volume I really had to turn up my television volume to listen to you. I like the new format 👍
Being lucky enough to live in France, gerard bertrand is a producer I don't buy, but if I'm at a loose end in the supermarket I'd know it's at least reliable stuff and certainly if I were in another country I'd probably go to it a bit more. But as i say, being in France gives me the chance to support smaller producers and discover more risk taking wines, so I'll opt for that every time.
Great video as always. As others have commented the sound is challenging to listen to. Certainly a decent mic helps, but something to consider if you haven't already is a separate digital sound recorder. I think this is what most youtubers migrate too eventually. It does of course complicate the publishing of the video as it requires more that just simple editing to add a separate sound stream.
As for Gerard Betrand, I've only enjoyed the Cotes du Roses that I purchase at Costco. It's always decent drinking.
I've had 2019 a couple of times and found it very unique, almost gamey. Enjoyable, but I couldn't take a steady diet of it. Gerard's Oriane Languedoc was even better IMO, 55 syrah, 45 carignan. Give it a shot; I had the 2018.
I’ve been loving minervois since my first visit to Montpellier in 1996
Love that shelf spy cam. Hilarious. And totally unexpected.
Great video, Bob.
I was at Costco a week ago and saw thus wine. I'll admit: I was struck by the label and bought it on a hunch. Now, I'm eager to open it up and enjoy it. Thanks for your efforts on our behalf.
It sounds like a wine I would probably enjoy 😊
I like videos that have technical information, like types of tannins, body, oaked or unoaked, if there are interesting flavours. I also like a bit of humour (I still remember once you joked about not eating much bacon anymore because of age 😂)
Edit: my damb ass thinking you wanted feedback about the content but then reading the feedbacks realising you want feedback about the look/style. To be honest I care more about the substance than the packaging, but whatever keeps the rest of the audience happy… Maybe you can keep trying different things, mix and match, to keep it spicy, without sticking to any particular format 😊
Hey Master Boss!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge as always and I love your new "scoring". Keep up the great work!
Hey Bob, really enjoy your channel. Since you asked for feedback, the background is a bit cluttered, I’d suggest trying for something simpler (less distracting). Looking forward to trying the Oriane, looks like it’s in stock.