Former University College Birmingham wine teacher Wendy Gedney headed for a little-known region of France when she decided to start her wine tourism business. Here’s why she chose Languedoc-Roussillon…
In France wine tourism in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne has always been popular and due to Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s fame the Côtes-du-Rhône is also a favourite. So, when Wendy Gedney, once a wine teacher at University College Birmingham, decided she wanted to start a wine tourism business why did she head to the little-known Languedoc-Roussillon region?
For centuries Languedoc-Roussillon had been the bulk producer of rustic and oft times poorly made wine destined to quench the nation’s thirst when water was unsafe to drink. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that the wine makers of Languedoc started to wake up to the jewel they held in their hands and we have Australia and California to thank for that.
At the time New world ‘varietal wines’ were being released onto the European market. Until then we were used to buying wine by provenance rather than grape variety. You bought a Chablis not a Chardonnay, a Bordeaux not a Cab Sav but overnight the ‘new kids on the block’ had found a way of making wine accessible and that was the kiss that woke the sleeping princess.
WINE-MAKING RUSH
Losing market share France introduced the Vins de Pays category and Languedoc-Roussillon embraced it to make the first Vins du Pays d’Oc in 1987. Whereas AOC rules restrict and protect name and style, Vins du Pays is much more flexible allowing innovation and creativity. Think Terroir v Territory. The release of this label coincided with the rush of people from all over the world wanting to become wine makers. Most were looking for a place where their vision of wine making could be expressed, where the land was affordable and where organic farming would be easier. For lots of people Languedoc was that place.
Following their dream and bringing passion and commitment with them they bought up small parcels of land and resurrected old vines that had fallen out of favour such as Carignan. Many of them also made new plantings and almost every French grape variety you can think of was planted there. Some made simple, ‘cheap and cheerful quaffers’ appealing to the price sensitive market and those who like the familiar name of an international grape variety. Others sensitively nurtured the traditional Languedoc varieties, coaxing the best wines they could from them. Today Languedoc-Roussillon is the most diverse wine region in France where just about every style of wine can be found, much of it organically grown in a beautiful landscape and made by impassioned people.
MEDIEVAL BACKDROP
Languedoc is the undiscovered France even though it’s the largest vineyard in the country. Many people go there to visit Carcassonne, a town Ryanair flies to from many UK cities. They taste the wine, meet the friendly people and look out across the ramparts of the medieval town to the swathe of vines peppered with ancient villages wishing they could discover the place. This is why Wendy started her vineyard tour business Vin en Vacances here 15 years ago. She runs day trips to all of the wine districts that surround Carcassonne as well as a tour that includes a wine tasting cruise along the Canal du Midi. Alongside winery visits many of the tours include tastings of olive oil, artisanal vinegar and vermouths as well as visits to beautiful villages, an abbey with a wine connection and a couple of the Cathar castles.
Of course, wine is at the heart of every tour which is a great way to discover the region and the wines styles. In general, the red wines are full bodied, spicy and often peppery with flavours of black fruits whereas the whites are more difficult to pin down as there isn’t a typical style made here. You will find everything from rich, full bodied, oak fermented wines, to mineral, deeply complex, lean styles to simple fruity ones. Rosé drinkers who prefer it bone dry and fruity with refreshing acidity will love a Languedoc rosé and fizz lovers have Crémant de Limoux or the more simple style of Blanquette de Limoux to choose from.
If you’re into sweet wine you’ve come to the right place. Vin Doux Naturel is a wine making method invented in Languedoc in the 1400’s and Wendy’s favourite is Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois. The favours of fresh grapes, the nose of roses in bloom and its crisp acidity make it the perfect match for a chunk of blue cheese drizzled with honey. Something to enjoy whilst sitting in the Languedoc sunshine.
OUR TOP TASTE PICKS
Baron De Badassiere Carignan – Loki Wine £10.99
This red made from 100 per cent Carignan grapes is a rich and full-bodied wine, sourced from the estate’s vineyards in the Pays d’O, and it perfectly captures the essence of the Languedoc. It has been aged for 12 months in oak barrels, which impart a subtle hint of vanilla and toasted oak flavours. In the glass, Baron De Badassiere Carignan has a deep ruby colour with purple highlights.
Gérard Bertrand ‘Hampton Water’ Rosé 2022/23, Languedoc – Majestic £17.99
Hampton Water is the result of a collaboration between rock star Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse Bongiovi and iconic winemaker Gérard Bertrand. This elegant rose combines the winemaking skill of Bertrand with the glamour of America’s favourite summer retreat. Every year it receives rave reviews from top wine critics. Its fresh berry and citrus flavours make this a perfect pairing for a fresh goat’s cheese salad or seafood platter.
Katie Jones, Me & Monsieur Jones Blanc – Naked Wines £11.99
Katie and her Monsieur Jones were set on showing Angels that whites can hold their own here and boy have they gone and done just that! She added a smidgen of Muscat to their traditional Grenache and Macabeo blend – but don’t be fooled, there’s none of the sweetness that usually comes hand in hand with Muscat here. This is an aromatic, fresh, fruity and seriously easy-drinking wine.