In this video, Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine takes a look at the wine from Languedoc, home to some of the most compelling, but least appreciated wines in all of France. Included is a tasting of five wines that offer a good cross-section of what to expect from the region. And, helpful wine shopping tips are provided . The focus here will be on wines that won’t set you back a lot of cash. I hope you’ll stay around for the entire video, but chapter markers are in the timeline for your convenience.
Languedoc is in south-central France, stretching along a significant part of the Mediterranean coast. Most wine reference sources combine the Languedoc and neighboring Roussillon. I prefer to look at them separately, as the wine styles are very different from one another. Within Languedoc, the western portion has a stronger Atlantic influence, while the eastern part has a more Mediterranean feel.
Why is it relevant? If Languedoc were a standalone country, it would be the fifth-largest wine producer in the world by volume. More than 30 different grape varieties are planted, some of which are ultra-prime old vines. The styles range from sparkling to fortified, dozens of appellations, more than 20,000 grape growers, more than 200 co-ops, and over 1000 independent wine properties. Some wines are mass market, others are small-production artisanal wines. A few years ago, I spent ten days exploring the region; it felt like I barely nicked the surface, but I did gain a new friend along the way.
What to buy? At a base level, there is Vin de France. As the name implies, the wines can come from anywhere in the country, with Languedoc often being a major source. This is mostly simple, inexpensive wine for the mass market, with some exceptions. Next is IGP or Vin d’Pays, which is positioned a step above Vin de France. The wine comes from a more specified region, often labelled by grape variety. The quality is broadly above Vin de France, sometimes very high. The focus for the wine tasting is AOC wines, those that best define the region, wines with authenticity, history, and a true sense of place.
2023 Saint Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux purchased at Total Wine for $13.49
2024 Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet purchased at Total Wine for $12.99
2022 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres purchased at Kermit Lynch $18
2023 Domaine d’Aupilhac Languedoc bought from Kermit Lynch $25
2022 Chateau Fontaines Pic-Saint-Loup bought at Kermit Lynch $28
https://shop.kermitlynch.com/wines/price:4-30/in_stock:yes/country:France/region:Languedoc-Roussillon
#frenchwine #languedoc #southoffrance #winetastings #totalwine #winelife #value #wset #wineenthusiast #wineshop #winelover #wineeducation #masterofwine #bobpaulinski
Chapter Markers:
00:00 – 02:16 Intro Wines of Languedoc
02:17 – 04:28 St Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux
04:29 – 06:53 Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet
06:54 – 09:46 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres
09:47 – 11:26 Domaine d’Aupilhac Languedoc
11:27 – 13:07 Chateau Fontanes Pic-St-Loup
13:08 – 13:34 Languedoc Wrap up
13 Comments
Fantastic. It’s always fun to see 4 of the wines you have I have too! Thanks Bob.
Thank you, Bob, for a great video. I've never tried any of these wines, and it might be a good occasion to educate myself on Languedoc. How does the sparkler compare with the la Burgondie Cremant from Trader Joe's?
I was salivating watching this. I will do my best to find these wines. Thanks, Bob
Of the few Languedoc wines I’ve had, they have all been fantastic. IMHO, reminiscent of wines from warmer climates which I like.
Been drinking Saint-Hilaire for years. Allegedly France's oldest sparkling wine. Picpoul de Pinet is grown on the heights overlooking a huge lagoon where France's Mediterranean oysters are raised. In 1987, my wife and I enjoyed a bottle of Picpoul over a plate of local oysters in a small restaurant in Sete, a town that sits at the mouth of the lagoon. You started in Bordeaux and are moving SE by East. I look forward to more wine videos as you move through the Camargue and on to Provence. Cheers.
Great video, thanks Bob!
Thanks, Bob, very good video. Languedoc wines got me into the subject more than 50 years ago. I must catch up. Apart from the occasional bottle of Minervois, they have largely fallen off my radar.
On Picpoul, I have never found one I enjoyed; either I have been unlucky or I just don't like that style.
I shall seek out the last two reds in your video, though, they sound the business.
St Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux is one of my favorite sparkling wines! For once, I actually know about a wine you're tasting! LOL!
Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet – this definitely looks like a wine I want to try. Great video as always, Bob!
Terrific stuff, Bob. Once again, learned a lot. Really appreciate this look at often overlooked areas. This piece and the one on Southwest France were super informative. Thanks for the hard work.
Another fantastic video Bob. I watch quite a few wine channels, but yours is the only one that I use make notes to include in my wine shopping list. That requires pausing your video and sometimes backing them up to make notes, or even watch it again later to compare my tasting notes with the aroma and tasting notes you describe in your video to see how my palate and ability to smell the aromas of wine are progressing.
Your channel is truly unique in comparison to the other content creators and is extremely helpful for someone like me that does not want to miss a possible gem that are affordable for my budget to explore some wonderful place in the world. I have not been disappointed……yet! 😂 Thank you again from the newbie to wine!
Bob, here is another Southern Rhone AOC I just discovered today; Rasteau.
Great video, Bob, I love drinking these types of wines. Could you please tell us the book you were showing. the maps and descriptions ?
I have a bowl full of various plectra
picks for fretted instrumentswhich I fondly refer to as the “pick pool”, after picpoul de pinet