Tasting with the Belgians

Languedoc-Rousillon tasting at the Kempisch Wijnhuis:

The whites

Lutgard and her husband gathered about 10 of her best customers to help them evaluate "a few" of their latest finds discovered at this year's Vini Sud in Montpellier, France.  

All wines were served single-blind and most of the discussion was in Flemmish, but I soldiered on!  Ik spreek een weinig nederlands!

We started with a lemony and acidic Cava that didn;t leave many impressed but quickly moved on to the 13 whites.  Whites from the Languedoc (and southern France in general) are typically made from grenache blanc, rousanne, marsanne and clairette with chardonnay and sauvignon-blanc playing lesser roles in this region; it's just too hot down there for these very popular grapes.  The styles fall in two catagories, heavy and a bit bitter-sweet and very dry light and acidic.  Most ofthese wines had very little color.  Only the odd barrel-aged chardonnay showed much color.

One of the favorite  whites was from Domaine de la Bouysse (vin de pays d'Oc) made of grenache blanc and macabeo for 5€.  Very pale green in color that was very aromatic (lychee, clove, and resin) and medium bodied with fresh spicy pineapple flavors.  The finish was delicious fresh, long and spicy.  For 5€ a bottle this is one for to stock up on for the summer.  

An example of a sauv-blanc/chardonnay blend came from Domaine Gourgazaud.:  "Gourgazaud jr" (vins de pays, Minervois)For 6€ the color was a pale yellow, with a muted nose, golden raisins and low acid in the mouth.  Uinteresting.  Their normal 100% chardonnay was a bit better with a nose of lime and flavors of bitter almond, it wasn't bad but not your typical chardonnay...I'll stick to Burgundy, thanks.

A stunning white came from the rather well-known Chateau La Liquiere (A.O.C. Faugeres).  "Les Amandiers." 

 Made of rousanne, grenache blanc and clairette, it was pale green (crystal clear)  and had a beautiful yet delicate nose of flowers and stone.  In the mouth it was lime, almond with refreshing acidity and balance.   A medium-light bodied wine that was extremely pretty to smell and a joy to drink.  9€  (great web site too!)

The Chateau La Liquiere "Cistus" blanc was also delicious and more refined. Made of Rousanne and grenache blanc, the color was brilliant and deeper (yellow straw) and the nose was restrained but concentrated lime/apple notes.  The taste was complex and intense with a lovely fresh acidity to keep it in balance.   The chateau is well distribbuted in the US and i've seen it in Mass as well.

Another favorite  was from domaine Mas des Agrunelles, and their "Fleur Blanche" (A.O.C Cot. de Languedoc) 

A newcomer, indeed, they started in 2000, but not without the right mindset: to produce at low quantity but high quality.  The result of their dedication is to have their wines listed at two 3-star restaurants Jardin des Sens and Michel Bras as well as the newly opened Alain Ducasse "Dorchester" restaurant in London.  Their organic vineyard techniques and natural practices in the cellar are paving the way.... Again, a pale-yellow color, here the nose is of delicate flowers and almond.  In the mouth it's big and rich with lime, apricots and chalk.    It finishes round with limy chalky flavors.  Lip smacking delicious.

On to the reds....