ALL ABOUT LANGUEDOC AOP WINES Society of Wine Educators Conference New Orleans August 14, 2015 Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points Wines to discover: • Authenticity – blend of history, tradition and innovation • Diversity – all styles and colors • Quality/Value – great quality to price ratio 2 Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points Location and key influences Sunshine, Winds, Little Rainfall and Geological Diversity Cevennes Mtns ‘Tramontane’ Wind Mediterranean Sea Pyrenees Mtns ‘Marin’ Wind 3 Languedoc AOP Wines: Key Points - growth 154+% growth 2009-2013, volume and value (*estimated total for 2014) Double digit growth 2009 – 2012 LDC AOP Wine Imports to USA 500,000 450,000 400,000 2009 350,000 2010 300,000 250,000 2011 200,000 2012 150,000 2013 100,000 2014* 50,000 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014* Source: UbiFrance 4 LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE BASICS • Largest wine region in France (Languedoc-Roussillon) – By area and volume of wine produced; 13.5 m hl produced = 148.5 million cases of wine • South of France – Hugs Mediterranean coast, at the foothills of Pyrenees – Climate allows for a lot of organic production • History of revolution and innovation – Area has always done things their own way, history of revolution (ex. Cathars) – Langue d’Oc = language of Oc (Occitania). Pre-dates modern French. Oc/Oui = yes! – Area of France that remains the most open to innovation in winemaking; many outsiders have bought land here – Many wine techniques have been “invented” in Languedoc 5 LANGUEDOC AOP WINES: THE BASICS • Part of administrative region Languedoc-Roussillon – Languedoc 90% of the region (Roussillon = 10%) – Distinct from Roussillon in culture and other administrative details – Has its own organizations for winemaker and AOP concerns (CIVL vs CIVR) • Key Grapes – Red: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan – White: Piquepoul, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Mauzac • 5 Main Zones: Many microclimates and wine: – Mountain – in the north, more continental climate. Resembles Rhone – Coastal – strong Mediterranean influence, abundant sunshine, more lush wines – South – closest to Roussillon AOPs, more Carignan – Center – heart of the region – West – mix of continental and Atlantic influences, sparkling wines 6 Languedoc’s 5 Zones Mountain Center Coastal West South 7 Languedoc AOP Wines: The Details Defining characteristics • Wine lake no longer – Previously known for volume – Quality is now the focus • Affordable pricing – Majority of Languedoc AOP wines are priced in $15-$20 range • Garrigue – Mix of herbs that grow wild in the region: rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, juniper – Aromas are often evidenced in the wines • Organic production – 30% of France’s organic wine comes from Languedoc 8 Languedoc AOP Wines: The Details What’s on the label? • Designations – AOP = Appellation d’Origine Protegée (aka AOC, about 10% of region’s total production) – IGP – Indication Geographique Protegée – VdP – Vins de Pays (being phased out in favor of IGP) • Over 30 AOPs – The CIVL (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc) represents the AOP sector and IGP – but NOT IGP Pays d’Oc • Segmentation of Languedoc AOP wines – AOP Languedoc (since 2007): 30% of production. Regional appellation – Grands Vins du Languedoc: 60% of production, most AOPs fall in this “terroir driven” tier – Crus du Languedoc: 10% of production, only a few AOPs qualify for this top tier 9 Crus du Languedoc These appellations are currently recognized as the Crus du Languedoc. All others, aside from AOP Languedoc, are Grands Vins du Languedoc 1. Corbières Boutenac 2. Faugères 3. La Clape 4. Minervois la Livinière 5. Saint Chinian Roquebrun 6. Saint Chinian Berlou 10