Languedoc Rousillon Producers

Question 1

Which estate is often referred to as the “Grand Cru of the Midi?

Answer 1

Mas de Daumas Gassac (pronounce all “S”)

Question 2

Where is Mas de Daumas Gassac?

Answer 2

The village of L’H̩rault in the Gassac Valley.

Question 3

What is the soil type in the Gassac valley? What are the major climatic influences?

Answer 3

Iron-rich, powdery glacial scree.

Climate is influenced by the Gassac river, and additionally moderated by the surrounding mountains.

Question 4

Daumas Gassac: Farming

Answer 4

Organic since inception

Question 5

Daumas Gassac: First vintage

Answer 5

1978 for the Grand Vin. Planting began in 1972.

1986 for the White

Question 6

Who was the major consulting winemaker at Daumas Gassac during its inception?

Answer 6

Emile Peynaud, Bordeaux

Question 7

What are the cepages for the flagship wines of Mas de Daumas Gassac?

Answer 7

Red: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, plus
White: Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Chenin Blanc, plus

Question 8

What is Moulin de Gassac?

Answer 8

A second line of wines devoted to indigenous varities, farmed by the members of the Cave de Villeveyrac coopeartive and overseen by the Guibert family. Launched in 1991.

Question 9

What is Cuv̩e Emmanuel Peynaud?

Answer 9

The prestige cuv̩e of Mas de Daumas Gassac. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel selection in great years. First vintage 2001.

Question 10

What is Vin de Laurence?

Answer 10

A sweet wine by Mas de Daumas Gassac, 50% Sercial, 50% Muscat Blanc.
Passillerage? “Inspired by Vin de Constance and Tokaji. Aged in wood for 10 years, made only in worthy vintages.
First vintage 1997. Not made between 1998 and 2008.

Question 11

Who founded Grange des P̬res, where, and when?

Answer 11

Laurent Vaill̩. H̩rault, in 1992 (vines planted in 1989).

Question 12

Where did the cuttings for Grange des P̬res originate?

Answer 12

Syrah, Marsanne and Roussane from Chave

Cabernet Sauvignon from Trevallon

Question 13

Grange des P̬res: Red:

Answer 13

40% Syrah, 40% Mourv̬dre, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Counoise.
Fermented in stainless, aged In barrique. Wines are vinified and aged separately, blended just before bottling.

Question 14

Grage des P̬res: White

Answer 14

80% Roussane, 10% Marsanne, 10% Chardonnay.

Fermented in stainless, aged in demi-muids. Wines are blended before ML and elevage.

Question 15

Where is Mas Jullien? When was it founded?

Answer 15

Terrasses du Larzac, founded 1985 by Olivier Jullien

Question 16

Mas Jullien: Farming

Answer 16

Organic, not certified

Question 17

Mas Jullien: Focus

Answer 17

Blending of grapes across multiple terroirs to create compleity and balance.

Question 18

Mas Jullien: Soils

Answer 18

15ha on the plateau du Larzac, up to 900M elevation.

Limestone, schist, clay, alluvials

Question 19

Mas Jullien: White

Answer 19

VDP H̩rault Blanc.

Clairette, Carignan Blanc, plus Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc.

Question 20

Mas Jullien: Reds

Answer 20

Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge, Les Etats d’Ame: young vines/experimental cuv̩e, intended to be drunk earlier. Grenache, plus Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan.
Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge, Mas Jullien: flagship. Mourv̬dre, Syrah, Carignan.

All wines vinified in stainless and raised in barrel, either demi-muid or foudre.

Question 21

Gauby: Location and soils

Answer 21

The town of Calce, in C̫tes de Rousillon Villages.
Limestone (calcaire, hence Calce) in the north, and schist in the south. The domaine covers 40 hectres of vines and another 50 of garrigues.
Founded 1985.

Question 22

Gauby: Farming

Answer 22

Organic since 1996, Biodynamic since 2001.

Question 23

How are the Gauby wines classified?

Answer 23

Whites are generally IGP, as they contain unconventional cegapes.
Reds are C̫tes-du-Rousillon-Villages.

Question 24

Gauby makes three tiers of wine. What are they, and what do they correspond to?

Answer 24

They equate to the Burgundian model - village, premier cru, grand cru. Appellation unimportant.
Village: Les Calcinaires (red and white)
Premier Cru: Vielles Vignes (red and white)
Grand Cru: Muntada (first); then Coume Gineste, La Foun, La Roque, La Jasse, Combe de Lloups.
All Grand Crus except Muntada date from Lionel’s joining G̩rard in 2008; not made every year.

Question 25

Les Calcinaires

Answer 25

White: Muscat, Macabeo, Vermentino, Chardonnay
Red: Mourv̬dre, Carignan, Syrah
Gauby

Question 26

Cuv̩e Vieilles Vignes

Answer 26

White: Macabeo, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc
Red: Grenache, Carignan (pre-phylloxera), Syrah, Mourv̬dre
Gauby

Question 27

Muntada

Answer 27

Old Vine Grenache and Carignan, plus Syrah and Mourv̬dre. Aged in foudres.
Gauby

Question 28

La Foun

Answer 28

Old vine carignan, mostly

Gauby

Question 29

La Roque

Answer 29

100yo Grenache

Gauby

Question 30

La Jasse

Answer 30

Mourv̬dre, plus Carignan

Bauby

Question 31

Come de Llooups

Answer 31

Skin contact Grenache Gris.

Gauby

Question 32

Where is Roc des Anges?

Answer 32

Montner, in the Vall̩e d’Agly. Founded 2001.

Question 33

Roc des Anges: Vines & Soils

Answer 33

Old vine Carignan, Grenache (noir and gris), Syrah, Macabeu. Oldest vines planted 1903; 55% between 40 and 90 years old.
Dark, rotten schist
(Montner derives from Monte Negro)

Question 34

Roc des Anges: White

Answer 34

Les Vieilles Vignes: 70-100 yo Grenache Gris, plus Maccabeu
Iglesia Vella: 100% Grenache Gris from single 80 year old parcel
Both classed as VDP Pyr̩n̩ees-Orientales

Question 35

Roc des Anges: Ros̩

Answer 35

Les Vignes M̩tiss̩es (C̫tes du Roussilon): single parcel, 100yo field blend of red and white grapes. Direct press, no skin contac.

Question 36

Roc des Anges: Red

Answer 36

Segna de Cor: Grenache, plus Syrah and Carignan. Young vines.
Les Vieilles Vignes Rouge: Carignan, Grenache, Syrah (50/30/20). 70-100yo vines
1903: Carignan from the 1903 block.

1903 is VDP-PO; other wines are CDR-V

Question 37

Roc des Anges: Sweet

Answer 37

Passiller̩, bottled as VDT. Old Vine Maccabeu, plus Grenache Gris.
95-100g/L RS, 15% abv.

Question 38

Domaine de l’Horizon: Founding and Location

Answer 38

Founded 2006 by Thomas Teibert.

Located outside of Calce, close to Gauby.

Question 39

L’Horizon: Farming and Vines

Answer 39

Biodynamic.

17ha of mostly old vine (70+ years) Carignan, Grenache (noir & gris), Maccabeu

Question 40

L’Horizon: Wines

Answer 40

Patriot: Muscat Blanc, plus Macabeu, some RS
Esprit de L’Horizon Blanc: 66% Macabeu, 33% Muscat Blanc
Domaine de l’Horizon Blanc: Macabeu, Greanche Gris, Greanche Blanc
Domaine de l’Horizon Ros̩: Grenache Noir
Mar y Muntana: young vines? grenache based?
Esprit de l’Horizon Rouge: Carignan, Syrah, young vines
Domaine de l’Horizon Rouge: Carignan, Grenache, 40-100yo vines