Top picks from Languedoc

NEWS
FRANCE
Top picks from Languedoc-Roussillon
The winners of Sud de France’s Top 40 Icon Wines competition have been announced
Set up to find the best the
Languedoc-Roussillon has to
offer, the Top 40 Icon Wines
competition reveals the region
can be a supplier of top-quality,
value-for-money wines,
compared with France’s more
notorious appellations.
A panel of expert judges blind
tasted their way through 143
wines from the region, all of
which are already distributed
in the UK, at the Maison de la
Région Languedoc-Roussillon in
London.
The only information they
were given was the grape variety
or appellation of each flight. The
panel then retasted all the wines
which got through to the final
stage and voted on which should
be awarded Icon status.
Judge Chris Hardy from
Majestic said: “We were
looking for refined aromatics
in the whites and rosés, and
concentration of fruit combined
with structured elegance in
the reds, yet still retaining the
classic Languedoc garrigue
characteristics.”
He added: “It was nice to see
wines made from local varieties,
such as Grenache Gris, Macabeu
and Clairette, producing wines to
rival fine Burgundies. The results
reveal the Languedoc is blessed
with a huge diversity of quality
THE JUDGES
Charles Metcalfe — chairman of the panel and wine writer
Mark Andrew — senior buyer, Roberson Wines
Isa Bal — head sommelier, the Fat Duck
Peter McCombie MW — consultant and wine writer
Chris Hardy — senior buyer, Majestic
Isabelle Legeron MW — consultant and journalist
Eric Narioo — owner, Les Caves de Pyrene
Anthony Rose — journalist
Andrew Shaw — senior buyer, Waitrose
wines. Fifteen years ago, quality
was hit and miss but nowadays
it is rare to find a disappointing
wine in the UK, particularly if you
stick to domaine wines produced
by quality-conscious producers.”
■ The Top 40 Icon wines will be
available to taste at a trade tasting
on September 20 at the Maison de
la Région Languedoc-Roussillon, as
part of the Sud de France Festival
(September 17-30).
TOP 40 SUD DE FRANCE ICON WINES
Trophies
Producer
Wine
Best Red
Runner-up Red
Château La Dournie
Domaine Les Yeuses
Skalli
Clos du Gravillas
Domaine Les Eminades
Hugh, Kevin & Robert
Frederic Pourthalie
Domaine Alain Chabanon
Domaine Peyre Rose
Domaine Peyre Rose
Domaine Paul Mas
Château du Vieux Parc
Jean-Michel Alquier
Léon Barral
Les Clos Perdus
Château Cesseras
Mas du Soleilla
Mas Bruguière
Vignobles Jonquères d’Oriola
Domaine Le Roc des Anges
Domaine Madeloc
PH Wine
Domaine de Clovallon
Domaine Paul Mas
Domaine Paul Mas
Domaine Matassa
Vinci
Domaine les Aurelles
L’Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup
Famille Guibert
Clos du Gravillas
Domaine Astruc
Domaine Guillaume Cabrol
Domaine Ledogar
Léon Barral
Domaine de Peyreficade
Domaine Paul Mas
Domaine de la Rectorie
Vignerons de Maury
James Kinglake
Château La Dournie
Les Epices
F de Skalli
L’Innattendu
Cebenna
Le Grand Noir
Domaine de Montcalmes
L’esprit de Font Caude
Clos Syrah Léone
Clos des Cistes
Mas des Mas
La Sélection
Les Bastides d’Alquier
Jadis
L’Extreme
Château Cesseras
Les Bartelles
L’Arbouse
Château de Corneilla
Segna de Cor
Collioure Magenca
Cuvée Balthazar
les Pomarèdes
Paul Mas Estate Syrah Viognier Nicole Vineyard
Paul Mas Estate
Matassa Blanc
Coyade
Aurel
Cuvée Sainte Agnès Blanc
Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc
Le Rendez Vous du Soleil
DA Chardonnay
Picpoul de Pinet Prestige
Best White
Runner-up White
Best Sweet
12 | Harpers Wine & Spirit | July 30 2010
Vin de Pays de l’Herault Blanc
Cuvée Ludovic Gaujal
Pépinière Vineyard
Vin de Liqueur Cuvée Elisabeth
Maury Solera 1928 Cask no 886
Domaine Begude (rosé)
Vintage
2007
2008
2006
2007
2006
2008
2007
2004
2002
2002
2009
2007
2005
2007
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2008
2005
2007
2008
2009
2009
2007
2006
2005
2008
2009
2006
2009
2009
2009
2008
2009
2009
1999
NV
2009
UK distributor
Rrp
Majestic
Majestic
Wine Story
Les Caves de Pyrene
Aubert & Mascoli
Roberson Wine
Les Caves de Pyrene
Dynamic Vines
Terroir Languedoc
Terroir Languedoc
Majestic
Great Western Wine
Richards Walford
Les Caves de Pyrene
Dynamic Vines
Waitrose
Great Western Wine
Yapp Brothers
Roberson Wine
Les Caves de Pyrene
H2Vin
Waitrose
Terroir Languedoc
Majestic
Stratford’s Wine Agencies
Les Caves de Pyrene
Aubert & Mascoli
Terroir Languedoc
Aldeby Wines
Les Caves de Pyrene
Les Caves de Pyrene
Stratford’s Wine Agencies
Majestic
Dynamic Vines
Les Caves de Pyrene
Yapp Brothers
Majestic
Richards Walford
Richards Walford
Majestic
£7.99
£8.99
£19.95
£21.99
£15.00
£8.95
£23.99
£25.10
£9.99
£11.25
£17.49
£23.49
£27.50
£12.99
£19.50
8.95
£9.95
£14.49
£17.75
£9.99
£8.99
£8.99
£34.49
£25.00
£28.99
£16.49
£10.49
£7.99
£17.20
£20.49
8.75
£8.99
£39.49
£17.99
£7.49
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