Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/552044
12 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 { planet grape } IT IS TIME TO TAKE A LOOK BEYOND the quaffable Vin de Pays wines of the sunny Sud de France. Languedoc-Roussillon is a treasure trove of clean, fruit-forward, food- friendly, value-priced wines to pour by the glass and to offer by the bottle at well below $100. A common thread of rosemary, thyme and lavender runs through them, highlighting their fresh clean fruit. There is little to no oak in most instances. All prices are SRP. WINES TO POUR Jean-Claude Mas à St. Hilaire NV Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé AOP, Languedoc ($18.99) Elegant and lively. 12%. ELITE BRANDS USA Domaine des Cantarelles 2013 Viognier, Vin de Pays du Gard IGP, Languedoc ($14) Perfumed, fruity and soft. 14%. ROBERT KACHER SELECTIONS Le Jade 2013 Chardonnay-Viognier, Pays d'Oc IGP, Languedoc ($9.99) Creamy Chardonnay mingles with exotic Viognier. 13.5%. KYSELA PÈRE ET FILS Domaine Sainte Croix 2014 Cuvée Montlaurès Rosé, Languedoc AOP ($16) Dry, subtle Provençal-style Grenache/ Cinsault rosé. 12.5%. VAL D'ORBIEU Beauvignac 2013 Syrah Rosé, Pays d'Oc IGP, Languedoc ($9.99) Light, dry and tart. 12.5%. KYSELA PÈRE ET FILS Maison des Terroirs Vivants 2012 La Marouette Cabernet Sauvignon, VDP d'Oc IGP, Languedoc ($13.99) Sunny, plump, easy-going Cabernet made with organically grown grapes. 13%. CHARTRAND IMPORTS Maison des Terroirs Vivants 2012 La Marouette Syrah, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc ($13.99) Soft and pretty. 13%. CHARTRAND IMPORTS Domaine Cazes 2010 Muscat de Rivesaltes AOP, Roussillon ($24/375ml.) Clean, rich, bright, sweet and balanced. 15%. ROBERT KACHER SELECTIONS WINES TO LIST HB 2014 Picpoul de Pinet AOP Coteaux du Languedoc ($9.99) Bone dry, crisp and light. 12.5%. KYSELA PÈRE ET FILS Domaine Sainte Rose 2011 Le Marin Blanc Marsanne- Roussanne, Pays d'Oc IGP, Languedoc ($19.99) Soft, fresh and juicy. 13.5%. PARTNERS WINE MARKETING GROUP Clos du Gravillas 2011 Minervois AOC, Languedoc ($40.99) A baby Châteauneuf- du-Pape Blanc. 14%. CHARTRAND IMPORTS Domaine Sainte Rose 2009 La Garrigue, Côtes de Thongue IGP, Languedoc ($17.99) This GSM blend is ripe and juicy, and lightly oaked. 14.5%. PARTNERS WINE MARKETING GROUP Castelmaure 2013 Col des Vents, Corbières AOP, Languedoc ($11.99) Juicy, balanced Carignan/ Grenache/Syrah. 13.5%. KYSELA PÈRE ET FILS Château La Négly 2011 La Côte, Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape AOC ($15) Soft, rich and fruity. 14.5%. T. EDWARD WINES Clos du Gravillas 2012 Rendez-Vous sur la Lune, Minervois AOP, Languedoc ($18) Firm, tank-fermented Carignan/Syrah. 14%. CHARTRAND IMPORTS Les Villages de Terroir Catalan 2010 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Caramany AOC, Languedoc- Roussillon ($18) Complex, taut and meaty. 13.5%. DIMITRI WINE & SPIRITS INC. Château Paul Mas 2013 Clos de Mûres, Coteaux du Languedoc AOC ($23.99) Dark, sultry and juicy. 14.5%. ESPRIT D U VIN Michel Chapoutier 2013 Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidum, Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France AOC, Languedoc-Roussillon ($30) Deeply fruity and reflective of its sunny origin. 14%. TERLATO WINES HIGH VOLUME CHAIN/CLUB Maison CUBI 2013 Syrah-Carignan, Vin de France ($33/3L. BIB) The source is Corbières, but this is heavier, darker and richer than what is typically found there. MAISON CUBI INC. For full reviews visit winereview.planetgrape.com/ ?s=sud+de+france. Sunny Sud de France LOOK TO LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON FOR VALUE- PACKED WINE LIST AND BY-THE-GLASS OFFERINGS by Catherine Fallis, MS PHOTO: O. DRACHENKO VIA THINKSTOCK C M Y CM MY CY CMY K