Thirst for Quality within the Pays d’Oc | EUROtoday

In the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon, the IGP Pays d’Oc is evolving.

Many first skilled IGP Pays d’Octhen Pays d’Oc wine, within the early Nineteen Nineties. The success of Aussie Chardonnay, South African Cabernet and Californian Merlot had been already effectively established, so when Middle Britain started to declare Pays d’Oc wines “quite good, actually”, it was an actual coup for southern French viticulture.

Until the Nineteen Eighties, Languedoc-Roussillon’s wines had a questionable popularity: the results of over-cropping, over-production and a just about non-existent advertising technique. So when Vin de Pays d’Oc was created in 1987, it was impressed by the success of New World varietal wines; whereas most of southern France’s Appellation d’Origine wines had been blended from a number of varieties, which had been hardly ever talked about on bottle labels, Pays d’Oc determined to place grape selection heart stage.

Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon led the cost, as winemakers replanted much less recognizable grapes with worldwide’ varieties. Wines had been made in all three colours, though pink was by far a very powerful by quantity. The wines shortly took off, turning what was then the world’s largest wine producing area right into a drive to be reckoned with. Over the years, tastes have modified and Pays d’Oc has tailored to swimsuit. The pink revolution unfold west from Provence into Pays d’Oc, which just lately surpassed its neighbors to turn into France’s largest producer of rosé wines. The pink stuff now accounts for practically a 3rd of Pays d’Oc wines. Grape plantings of all colours have advanced right here: Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc nonetheless dominate, however others have gained floor. With 58 totally different varieties to select from, some winegrowers are benefiting from the resurgent recognition of conventional southern French varieties, like Grenache noir, blanc and gris, Carignan, Muscat and Rolle. Others are experimenting with grapes from additional afield, like Portugal’s white Alvarinho (Galicia’s Albariño), Corsica’s Nielluccio (Italy’s Sangiovese), Spain’s Tempranillo (of Rioja fame), and Alsace’s fragrant white Gewürztraminer.

Pays d’Oc’s deal with single varietals implies that it’s well-placed to trip the waves of vogue, as seen within the latest explosion within the recognition of Malbec. And because the sunny south of France turns into progressively hotter and drier, different extra drought-resistant varieties, from international locations like Greece and Italy, will undoubtedly additional contribute to Pays d’Oc’s already various providing.

Dominic’s alternative

CHOICE WINE: Pinot Noir ‘Pech Calvel’ Red 2020 IGP Pays d’Oc

CHOICE WINE: Grenache ‘Villa Blanche’ Rosé 2022 IGP Pays d’Oc

CHOICE WINE: Albariño ‘Sillages’ White 2022 IGP Pays d’Oc

From France Today journal