🍷 Why is the Languedoc a Hotbed of Experimentation? Rosemary George Reveals What This Means for the Wines You Drink 🌿
🎙️ On the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, you’ll hear the stories and tips that answer those questions in our chat with Rosemary George.
🍇 Why is the Languedoc a hotbed of experimentation, and what does that mean for the wines you drink?
🌱 Rosemary explains that Languedoc has fewer rules and higher yields than other French regions, allowing winemakers to experiment with grape varieties.
🏷️ The broad Vin de France designation offers flexibility, making reputation key to selling wine.
🍾 She believes Vin de France from a well-regarded grove will be interesting—whether you like it or not, there’s a reason it stands out.
🌸 What role have white and rosé wines played in the transformation of the Languedoc wine scene?
🌍 Languedoc produces twice as much rosé as Provence, which is smaller and known for pale rosés, Rosemary notes.
🥂 Originally focused on reds, Languedoc now has recognized white wine areas like Saint-Chinian and Faugères (since 2004).
❄️ Terrasses du Larzac, a cooler region with great white wine potential, is awaiting its own appellation.
🔄 What prompted the shift from mass-produced table wines to higher-quality appellation wines in Languedoc?
📉 Rosemary believes France’s declining wine consumption led to higher quality wines.
💡 Cooperatives once focused on bulk production, but independent growers saw their land’s potential.
🛢️ Pioneers like Gérard Bertrand introduced barrel aging, sparking a trend.
💸 Affordable land continues to attract newcomers, unlike in Chablis.
🏞️ Have you tried a Languedoc wine❓
Let me know in the comments 👇