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Tasting Feature 2004-2005: The Beautiful South

Sticking with Winedoctor tradition, during 2004 and 2005 I will maintain a focus on my region of interest for the year. For the current period my tasting theme is The Beautiful South. Following my year focusing on the great wines of Italy, I feel it is time to return to France. In particular, to one of the most dynamic, exciting wine regions that exists - the vineyards of the Mediterranean coast. I taste the wines of Languedoc, Roussillon, Provence and, as a late addition, South-West France, hopefully tasting some of the greatest wines these regions have to offer.

From Languedoc, and west to Roussillon and South-West France, or east to Provence, there are thoughtful, talented vignerons turning out great wines, for the most part at very affordable prices. Naturally value for money has its appeal, but what draws me to this region most is the combination of a high quality and individual encépagement - including Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Counoise and Syrah for reds, and Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Rolle, and more for whites - on some fantastic terroirs. It is my opinion that the best producers are those that marry an appropriate cépage with their terroir. Thus they acknowledge that great wines are made in the vineyard, rooted in rock and stone, not on the plains or, worse, in the winery.

During 2004 and 2005 I will be tasting wines from the greatest producers of these regions, commencing with the Languedoc. As time passes I aim to mould the information together into four concise guides for Languedoc, Roussillon, Provence and the South-West, as well as forming a number of detailed producer profiles, a somewhat more ambitious task than I undertook with my Italian theme. I hope you will be able to stick with me as I make my journey through these regions of France.