Languedoc Wines: A Fresh Approach to Wines Lists and Strong Bottom Lines

Languedoc Wines: A Fresh Approach to Wine Lists and Strong Bottom Lines Presented by Erik Segelbaum, Advanced Sommelier @Erik4Wine

Welcome to Languedoc! Between the warm sun of the Mediterranean

Sea and cooling Atlantic winds, you’ll find Languedoc, a region characterized by a diversity of terroir, a wide array of wines and a southern French character that stands apart. Nature defines us, delivering more than 300 days of sunshine each year to nurture the independent spirit of our growers, winemakers and négociants. Together, we cultivate the most organic vines in all of France.

Guided by instinct and techniques honed by centuries of history, our 3,000 winemakers and 20 AOPs offer a rich variety of wine, from the red blends of Corbières, to charming rosé, white Picpoul and sparkling Limoux.

3 1 2

1 Atlantic Corridor 2 Coastal Terroir 3 Hills & Mountains

LANGUEDOC: BY THE NUMBERS

60% 20%

2,500 years

of winegrowing history

3,000

Winemakers

A leading producer in organic wines

140 million

bottles produced per year

20%

3 colors

(red, white and rosé)

+

sparkling & sweet wines

80,000+

acres of vines

20

AOPs

U.S #1 export market by volume/value

26

main grape varieties

A LEADER IN ORGANIC WINES Did you know?

Sustainability

MANIFESTO

Non-invasive treatments Organic insect repellants Protecting & planting hedges Collecting rainwater Protecting animal habitats Focus on biodiversity …and much more!

All Languedoc appellations share ongoing reports on sustainability and have ambitious objectives for organic or other sustainable certifications.

In Action

30%

of France’s organic vineyards are in Languedoc

10%

of organic acreage worldwide is in Languedoc

30%

of acreage currently being converted

LANGUEDOC: A HISTORY OF INNOVATION 1970 1285

1709

Discovery of fortifying wines by Arnaud de Villeneuve

1st Century BC

The Roman Era

ALAIN BOUQUET The father of resistant grape varieties began his research at L’ INRA in Montpellier

Planting of hillside vineyards

1544 Bubbles!

LA BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX The first sparkling wine was made in Languedoc

1873 GRAFTING developed by Jules-Emile Planchon helped overcome the phylloxera crisis of 1868

Looking Ahead Get to know Languedoc, the new French wine scene.

1993 1st Millesime Bio Languedoc launched the world’s first all organic expo, still going strong today.

LANGUEDOC: TASTING GUIDE % REDS

60% of all production

ROSÉ

20% of all production

WHITES

SPARKLING

SWEET

20% of all production

TOP VARIETIES

Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre Carignan Cinsault

Counoise Piquepoul Noir Terret Noir

Chardonnay Roussanne Marsanne

Viognier Chenin Mauzac

861,000 9L cases/year

Mauzac (Blanquette) Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Pinot Noir

43,000 9L cases/Year

Muscat Blanc

(Muscats de Lunel and Mireval)

Piquepoul Bourboulenc Clairette

Grenache Blanc/Gris

TASTING

CLIMATE DEFINES OUR TERROIR

3

KEY ASPECTS Garrigue limestone soils with low-lying scrub, herbal vegetation

1

Aromatic plants thyme, rosemary, spike lavender, juniper, boxwood, holm oak Maquis type of vegetation thrives in acidic siliceous soils— i.e. schist, sage, bay, lavender, heather, arbutus

2 1 Atlantic Corridor 2 Coastal Terroir 3 Hills & Mountains

320 days of sunshine per year

ZONE 1: ATLANTIC KEY CHARACTERISTICS Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mauzac, Malbec/Côt, Chenin, Chardonnay)

Cool, moist climate shaped by two winds — the crisp, dry Atlantic wind from the west and the warm Mediterranean wind from the east

M ed

it e

rr

an

ea n

Se

a

1

Rocky soil (sandstone and limestone) creates a distinct terroir

TO W AR

DS

TH

E

AT LA

NT IC

Distinguished, rich red wines with blends from different grape varieties + sparkling Limoux wines

PRINCESS AND BEAR Sparkling Rosé AOP: Crémant de Limoux Variety: 60% Chardonnay, 25% Chenin Blanc, 15% Pinot Noir SRP: $30 ZONE: Atlantic Good to know

The Chardonnay, Chenin and Pinot Noir grapes for this bubbly were grown at the source of sparkling wine: Crémant de Limoux, the world’s first sparkling wine, was produced in 1531 by the Benedictine monks of the nearby Saint Hilaire Abbey. The region’s dry Atlantic winds and gentle Mediterranean breezes are ideal for the slow, even ripening of the white wine grapes. The soil is a composite of clay, sandstone and limestone. In the words of the winemaking team: “This is a wine Champagne doesn’t want you to know about!”

@princessandbearwines www.theprincessandthebear.com

AOP CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2,348 acres in production

Founded in 1990

Mediterranean (sunny and warm). Atlantic and mountainous influences from the Pyrenees.

Rocky soils with clay, sandstone and limestone

Chardonnay, Chenin, Pinot Noir, Mauzac

Sparkling wines of depth. Highly aromatic, notable white flowers and citrus fruits.

Collage of images from Atlantic corridor + soils + labels

Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire in Limoux

City of Carcassonne

Vineyards of Limoux

Mountainous, Atlantic influences

SANDSTONE soils in Limoux

ZONE 2: COASTAL TERROIR KEY CHARACTERISTICS Many indigenous grapes such as Piquepoul, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Muscat

2

Sedimentary soils, limestone, mineral-rich clay and sandstone

M ed

it

er

ra

ne

an

Se

a

Long, warm summers with abundant sunshine and mild, wet winters

Rich red blends and unique whites that benefit from fully ripened grapes and healthy vine-to-water balance

2022 DOMAINE VALJULIUS Initial Blanc IGP: Coteaux De Béziers Variety: 100% Chardonnay SRP: $15 Zone: Coastal Good to know

Winemaker Julian Sarda developed Domaine Valjulius with his father as a family estate in 2006, and achieved organic certification in 2010. The vineyard encompasses 60 acres in the town of Corneilhan, a small Languedoc village near Béziers. Located between the mountains and the sea, cooling influences and long ripening hours allow Valjulius Chardonnay to reach full maturity with an elegant character. Aged on fine lees for 4 months, the wine shows good freshness and mineral intensity.

@valjulius_winery www.domaine-valjulius.com

IGP CÔTEAUX DE BÉZIERS 2,471 acres

Founded in 2015

Mediterranean climate (sunny and warm) with mild winters

Schist, limestone and coarse alluvial sands

Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lledoner Pelut, Aramon

Marsanne, Roussanne, Chardonnay, White Carignan, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier

Home to many small, family-run wineries.

Known for high-quality, full-bodied wines.

2022 CHÂTEAU DE MUS La Source Rosé AOP: Languedoc Variety: 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah ABV: 13.5% Zone: Coastal (AOP Languedoc) Good to know Château de Mus is a working winery situated on one of the largest archaeological sites in Hérault, including a Romanesque church built in 1070 as well as traces of prehistoric, Celtic, Roman and Etruscan times. The winery is dedicated to the preservation of the past while pursuing progressive winemaking in the present. An ideal growing location between the Mediterranean and the Caroux mountains favors expressive Grenache and Syrah. A fine example of stylish AOP Languedoc rosé, Château de Mus La Source Rosé rests for 5 months in stainless steel vats on the lees. @djfwines www.chateau-mus.com/en

AOP LANGUEDOC 24,000 acres in production

Officially established in 2007

Mediterranean (sunny and warm) with Atlantic, coastal and mountainous influences Limestone, shales and gravel (carried by the rivers)

Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, Cinsault, Counoise, Gray Grenache, Morrastel, Piquepoul Noir, Rivairenc, Terret Noir White Grenache, Bourboulenc, Piquepoul Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Vermentino, Malvoisie, White Carignan, Macabeu, Terret Blanc The widest diversity of terroir in Languedoc.

Broad range of red, white and rosé wines.

CLAY: Red volcanic soils in Cabardès City of Montpellier

Picpoul de Pinet vineyards

SANDSTONE soils Grès de Montpellier

Mediterranean coastline

Boutenac vineyards

LIMESTONE soils in La Clape

ZONE 3: HILLS & MOUNTAINS KEY CHARACTERISTICS

3

Dry, hot climate in the summer and cold in the winter; warm days and cool nights

M ed

it e

rr

an

ea n

Se

a

Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah create rich reds with tannic intensity

Ruffe (red sandstone), Jurassic limestone, basalt terraces and schist

Higher elevations and volcanic subsoils lend minerality and depth

2022 CHÂTEAU DE LASTOURS Grand Vin Blanc AOP: Corbières Variety: 70% Roussanne, 30% Vermentino SRP: $30 Zone: Hills & Mountains Good to know The name Château de Lastours refers to the watchtowers that overlooked the Domitian Way in the heart of Corbières to protect travelers over the millennia. Corbières has been a popular winegrowing destination to this day. With vineyards planted close to the Mediterranean Sea, Château de Lastours uses the principles of integrated farming and has been certified organic since 2020. @chateaudelastours www.chateaudelastours.com/en/home

AOP CORBIÈRES 21,000 acres in production

Founded in 1985

Mediterranean (sunny and warm) with Atlantic influences in the west

Mostly clay-limestone with hints of red sandstone

Black and Gray Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, Cinsault

White Grenache, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, White Carignan, Macabre

Five distinct terroirs make for an extremely diverse selection of wine with different influences

2020 CHÂTEAU DES ADOUZES Le Tigre AOP: Faugères Variety: 35% Carignan, 35% Grenache Noir, 30% Syrah ABV: 14% Zone: Hills & Mountains Good to know The tiger on the Château des Adouzes label symbolizes power and elegance, qualities that represent the balance of natural forces in these wines. Faugères is composed of schist soils, one of the most prized terroirs in the world. Concentrated, with contrasting but complementary minerality and freshness, Le Tigre is a fresh and bold wine that showcases the classic red grapes of Faugères. @chateau_des_adouzes chateaudesadouzes.com

AOP FAUGÈRES 3,459 acres in production

Founded in 1955

Mediterranean (sunny and warm) with mountain influences

Schist

Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, Cinsault

White Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Clairette, Viognier

Reds are characterized by silky tannins, rosés by hallmark finesse, whites by elegant freshness

2022 BORIE LA VITARÈLE Les Terres Blanches AOP: Saint-Chinian Variety: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre SRP: $20 Zone: Hills & Mountains Good to know Named for the white limestone veins in the limestone-clay soils of AOP Saint Chinian, Les Terres Blanches is strongly influenced by the garrigue and pine plantings that shelter the vines. Committed to working with nature, the domaine has been certified organic and biodynamic since 1998. Grenache and Syrah stand out with a Mediterranean character that combines delicacy, elegance and a discreet tannic structure. This is a wonderful example of the influences of the hills and mountains on the wines of Saint Chinian. @borielavitarele www.borielavitarele.fr

AOP SAINT-CHINIAN 7,413 acres in production

Founded in 1982

Mediterranean (sunny and warm) with mountain influences

Schist and limestone influenced by garrigue and maquis

Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Lledoner Pelut, Cinsault

White Grenache, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Roll, White Carignan, Macabre, Clairette, Viognier

Climatic diversity and distinct terroir zones.

Charming, intense wines.

2021 CHÂTEAU DE LASCAUX Carra AOP: Pic Saint-Loup Variety: 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre SRP: $24 Zone: Hills & Mountains Good to know The 14th and 15th generation of the Cavalier family currently oversee the vineyard, winemaking and stewardship of their ancestral property.

Estate manager since 1984, Jean-Benoît Cavalier is a leading proponent of biodiversity. The horse imagery on the label references the Lascaux Cave paintings, a UNESCO World Heritage site with preserved cave drawings dating back over 17,000 years. Connecting past to present, the Lascaux caves and horse drawings inspired the winery name and the family behind the wines: cavalier translates to horse rider. @chateaudelascaux www.chateau-lascaux.com

AOP PIC SAINT-LOUP 3,361 acres in production

Founded in 2017

Mediterranean (sunny and warm) with strong diurnal shifts in temperature influenced by the AOP’s namesake mountain, Pic Saint-Loup

Limestone, dolomites, conglomerates, river-washed limestone scree, marl and “gravettes”

Grenache, Shiraz, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Gray Grenache (rosé), Counoise, Morrastel

Diurnal temperature shifts support balanced wines with great tannic structure

2019 HECHT & BANNIER Languedoc Red AOP: Languedoc Variety: 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 15% Carignan SRP: $15 Zone: Hills & Mountains (AOP Languedoc) Good to know Hecht & Bannier is committed promoting sustainable agriculture and the highest level of environmental management including a significant commitment to reducing carbon emissions. More than 70% of the winery production comes from certified organic farming, with a goal of reaching 100% by 2025. With a beautiful carmine red color, this Languedoc reveals notes of red fruits, spice and peppery shades. It’s a classic Mediterranean wine, fresh and juicy and a great catch for by-the-glass. @hbprovence hechtbannier.com/en

CLAY: Red volcanic soils in Terrases du Larzac Pic Saint-Loup

City of Béziers

SCHIST soils in Faugères, Saint-Chinian

Faugères

Saint-Chinian

Château d'Aguilar in Tuchan, Corbières

LIMESTONE soils in Corbières, Minervois-la-Livinière, Pic Saint Loup

SOME OF THE BEST VALUE IN FRANCE TODAY! Sunny, warm & welcoming

SURPRISING SPARKLING WINES

Strong Mediterranean influence Fresh reds to try with a little chill 26+ grape varieties, including heirlooms Origin of world sparkling wine

VIBRANT ROSÉS AND WHITES

FRESH MED REDS

Quality wines with great versatility: There’s a Languedoc wine for every occasion.

A leader in organic and sustainable

BOLD RED BLENDS

REACH OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION!

CONTACT Contacts in the US: Helen Gregory – helen@gregoryvine.com Katie Keith – katie@gregoryvine.com Claire Martin – claire@gregoryvine.com Contact in France: Estelle Nijhof – enijhof@languedoc-wines.com

@LanguedocWines