Situated in the Camargue where the famous white horses roam, kissed by sea air near the flaky salt marshes, and dotted by bright pink flamingoes (which give the Domaine’s most famous vintage its name, Pink Flamingo), Jarras indulges all the senses. The Best Wines and Vineyards in Languedoc-Roussillon One-quarter of France's wine production comes from the vineyards spread throughout the region of Languedoc-Roussillon. In the Eastern Pyrenees, within walking distance of a Medieval castle, the estate was once a cooperative winery for the town. Wines of France. For some oenophiles it’s not enough to savor a wine. As it is so close to the Mediterranean the terroir is made up of mineral-laden sands, which made it immune to the devastating phylloxera epidemic that plagued other French vineyards in the late 19th century. There are plenty of excellent wines made there. It’s also an ideal vantage point: From its location one can see far and wide over the vineyards and all the way to the sea in the distance. Best Cash Back Credit Cards. Noilly Prat is the only surviving representatives of the "Marseillan" style of vermouth, favoring oak-barrel aging outdoors. Visit the fountain-clad cloisters, have a meal in the restaurant serving organic local vegetables, stop by in the evening for one of its many art exhibitions or concerts, or for a true religious experience, take a walk through the Gothic church, where massive wine casks poke out from in the walls of the nave. Think easy going, like a mid-week Merlot. Overlooking the Hérault River, the château dates to the Renaissance while the delightful little chapel dates to 987. From Provence to the shadow of the Pyrenees and with miles of azure Mediterranean coastline, Languedoc-Roussillon may be the south of France’s best-kept secret. But unlike its flashier French contemporaries, like, say, Bordeaux, the distinction thankfully has yet to translate to crowds. A visit to the estate is also akin to being on safari—besides flamingo and Camargue horse spotting the estate also is home to a manade, or wild cattle, taken care of by nattily-dressed gardians. The best wineries to visit during your holiday or vacation to Languedoc-Roussillon are: Grand Guilhem; Domaine Vents du Sud; Domaine Deprade Jorda; Mas du Soleilla; 6. Once one of Southern France’s richest abbeys, with 300 monks calling it home at its peak, the enchanting Cistercian Abbey de Valmagne has a tumultuous history, having escaped demolition during the Revolution to become France’s largest wine-producing monastery. Cotes du Roussillon Villages Les Trois Maries 2016 € 89,00 (ex Vat) € 107,69 (in Vat) more info Parker 92 Thunevin-Calvet Cotes du Roussillon Villages Les Trois Maries 2010 € 59,00 (ex Vat) € 71,39 (in Vat) more info Parker 90 Thunevin-Calvet Cotes du Roussillon Villages Hugo 2010 € 29,00 (ex Vat) € 35,09 (in Vat) more info Clos des Fees The greater Languedoc-Roussillon region is also the largest vineyard area in the world with more than 21,000 wine estates and 246,000 hectares of vineyards in the region. How Wine-Searcher Works Site Map They want to twirl in its vines, and maybe even nap in an old wine vat, dreaming of future indulgences. Domaine Gauby Cotes du Roussillon Villages La Roque, France: Southern Rhone Red Blend: 24,302 nd: 94 $ 79: Chateau de la Negly Languedoc Clos des Truffiers, France: Syrah: 4,256 th: 93 $ 138: Domaine Vial-Magneres Banyuls Al Tragou, Languedoc-Roussillon, France: Grenache (Garnacha) 42,525 th: 93 $ 61: Domaine Cazes Rivesaltes Cuvee Aime Cazes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France You can include also the vermouth of Noilly Prat in Marseillan It was re-born in 2007 as a luxury, eco-friendly hotel, spa, and winery, with an exquisite Michelin-starred restaurant on the grounds headed by chef Laurent Lemal. Popular wines made in Roussillon under $20 M. Chapoutier Grenache Blend Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour Domaine de Bila-Haut Vignes Bila We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Quick Links Languedoc-Roussillon wine reviews | Producer profiles Grapes. Sales are unjustifiably sluggish, while costs continue to escalate. Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards. Fruity and juicy red wines use Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. But near Pézenas, the hometown of Molière, and with the name garrigue nodding the surrounding bushlands, St. Martin de La Garrigue is alluring even without the promise of wine. More than 250,000 hectares (618,000 acres) of vineyards cover some of the most diverse landscapes found in Europe. The best wines from Languedoc-Roussillon It is important to know that Languedoc-Roussillon counts in its region no less than 28 Appellations d'Origines Contrôlées (AOC-AOP), but also 25 Protected Geographical Indications (IGP). Also Macabeo is important. One of 12 wine estates from the dynamic Gerard de Bertrand, himself also a former rugby player, Chateau L’Hospitalet offers not only an opportunity to experience the rugged setting and witness innovation in organic and sustainable farming, but also to chat with Bertrand himself, a larger-than-life personality whose wines are as ubiquitous in southern France as his social status. The wine regions dictate which varieties of wine do best. Avg. About For wine producers there, however, life is far from playful. Limoux and Blanquette de Limoux. please see. It’s not that Roussillon’s once famous sweet wines aren’t worth trying. © 2020 Wine-Searcher™ All rights reserved. The Best Languedoc Wine - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks! This book is written for those who want to discover some of the very best producers in Languedoc-Roussillon, France’s biggest wine region. Surrounded by rolling countryside, the vineyards were planted in 1139 by the monks, who, in addition to being reverent, were experts in agriculture and hydraulics. Eighteen different varietals are spread out over more than 50 vineyards in this winery’s terroir, which benefits from the cooling breezes of the Mediterranean, making the estate one of the region’s rising stars. Vineyard and restaurant Les Clos de Paulilles, was only recently acquired in 2012, but with its proximity to both the quaint artist haunt and former fishing village of Collioure (inspiration to Fauvists like André Derain, Georges Braque, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and more) and just steps from a small, uncrowded beach, it is definitely worth a visit, followed by a refreshing dip. “The white wines of Roussillon – they are a surprise; given the climatic conditions, you would not expect such individual white wines. Have lunch at the restaurant, set in a Catalan farmhouse, with menus modified daily to reflect fresh ingredients. Fantastic value-driven sparkling wines made in the same style as Champagne. Vin France Dry Rose Wine Grapevine Growing Black Grapes Types Of Wine Growing Grapes Wine And Spirits Grape Vines Provence. Domaine Royal de Jarras, Aigues-Mortes. ... (A future article will look at Roussillon’s unique wines and character.) The Languedoc Roussillon, just to the west of Provence, is the most southern province in France. Just a few miles from southern France’s UNESCO heritage sites of Carcassonne—a fairy-tale of a medieval city with fortified walls surrounding a castle, cobblestone streets and gothic cathedral—and the Canal du Midi waterways, one of the oldest operating canals in Europe, is this historic stunner, a mini-Versailles built during the reign of Louis XIII in 1620. Before rosé became the ubiquitous signifier of summer, it … Here are the eight best wineries to visit in the historic and bucolic coastal region, which is France's largest wine producer. And if you do stay the night, you’ll be able to take that nap; the massive wine vats from the cooperative days are the foundation for the hotel’s rooms. Syrah is a principal grape in many Languedoc red blends. 10 Best European Red Wines Under $20. Neither revealed what’s happening in Roussillon today, which is a revolutionary shift toward fresh, mineral dry wines, some of France’s best. rosé became the ubiquitous signifier of summer, The 8 Most Underrated Destinations in France, What Patricia Kluge Thinks of Trump Winery, A Luxe Barge Cruise Is the Best Way to See France, Devin Nunes and Donald Trump Have Wine in Common. Château St. Martin de la Garrigue , Montagnac. … The sweet, fortified grenache-based wines of Banyuls can be a pleasure, like port that’s not trying so hard. But the history of the property goes much further; shards of pottery uncovered on the land has suggested people have inhabited the area since the Iron Age. That being said, I reached out to an expert and I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Eric Aracil , the Deputy Director and Export Manager for the Roussillon Wine Council. Because after a visit to the Noilly Prat winery, in the charming fishing village of the Port of Marseillan, an afterthought could become an obsession. Visit the estate—which houses a 38-room hotel, a restaurant, and tasting cellar—in July for the annual jazz festival. An added bonus for those with kingly aspirations: The castle, with swimming pool and tennis court, is rentable. France now accounts for 70% of all the Syrah vines planted around the globe. Cellar visits and wine and cheese workshops are also on the menu of activities, and a visit to the park grounds, where you can take a self-guided tour, is free. Grenache produces round tasting wines, often with low tannin and high alcohol and is rarely to be found on its own except in the fortified reds of Roussillon. Which wineries in Languedoc-Roussillon are open to the public? I was invited to explore the wines of Roussillon with Eric Aracil, oenologist and Export Manager for the Roussillon Wine Board, at a small group tasting at Maple & Ash in Chicago. Pontificis Viognier Roussanne Marsanne – Simple and Good. Named "Hospitalitas" (hospitality), the steel work is twisty and stately, holding up to at times punishing and salty winds, and a contrast to the natural terrain below. Learn about the various Languedoc-Roussillon wine regions with Wine Enthusiast Magazine's easy to use Languedoc-Roussillon wine guide. The best thing of all, though, is since they still fly under the radar on retail shelves, they are competitvely priced and represent amazing values. A French Winemaker on Why He Won't Use Barrels, Ordering Cheap Wine Is Actually a Good Idea, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Since 1789, the Abbey has been used solely for viticulture, and was made fully organic in 1999. Wines of Roussillon Bringing together a small community of 2,334 winemakers families, 28 cooperative cellars & 417 private ones, the sunniest region of France is the 9th largest producer of wine in France, with 2% of national production by volume and at least 80% of French Vins Doux Naturels. At the Riberach estates in in the village of Belesta, they can do all of that and more. To help you find more gems, I have gathered below the list of the 50 most expensive, therefore arguably some of the best Languedoc wines … Perfect with oysters. The French wine magazine La Revue des Vin de France even named local producers Calmel & Joseph ‘Negociant of the Year 2018’. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. Proof, if proof were needed, of the richness and diversity of the terroirs and wines. Tours of the castle, a popular wedding venue, are available, as well as tastings of the wines grown in the cool mountain altitude. Oenophiles can roam languidly from mountains to sea—stopping along the way to slurp on the oysters of the Basin de Thau or greet some stylish French cowboys, or gardians, in the marshy wetlands of the Camargue, the same area that boasts the striking indigenous white horse. That the restaurant isn’t the focal point is remarkable—the draw is the immersive experience; the winery specializes in natural wines, which visitors can observe in process from start to finish, beginning with a "wine safari," in the far reaches of the grounds to a tour of the winery and cellars. Here’s where you’ll also be able to taste all the Noilly Prat expressions, including the rare Ambre vermouth, which you can only buy on the premises. History buffs will be captivated; the now-bucolic region was once at the forefront of the Crusades, with some remnants still hikable today. But love of the tasty pink aside, it’s the vineyard’s location, in a vast natural area near the stately castle city of Aigues-Mortes, that makes it truly worth your time. These wineries in Languedoc-Roussillon are open to the public with booking in … Visit for the wine, the history, and the 160 hectares to explore, including a grove of 150 olive trees promoting an integral part of Languedoc heritage, olive-oil making. Price $13.99 Château de Flaugergues Red Rhone Blend Coteaux du Languedoc la Méjanelle Cuvée Sommelière Roussillon produces dry still wines and Vins Doux Naturels (Fortied Sweet Wines). Image Credit: Andrew Jefford Trader Joe's delivers a Rhone-style white ... Maison Barboulot Cabernet-Syrah – Full-Blown Delicious. With 15 AOP certified wines, stemming from 24 different grape varieties, and with its characteristic patchwork of terroirs, Roussillon offers a diverse range of wines with distinctive qualities. 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