Today was the first day of the Languedoc Roussillon Study & Certificate Program offered by the French Wine Society with support from Sud de France. Twenty lucky students (most of whom I knew through my travels) crowded into the Maison de la Région Languedoc -Roussillon. 2008 Mas des Dams La Dame AOC Languedoc (18.00).

And from this fresh, sunny climate we also get the wines of Gerard Bertrand, who owns six estates in the Languedoc. The top pick of the three was the Chateau L'Hospitalet Reserve Rouge, Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape 2009. Does the above picture effectively showcase the "dream" of Southern France? almost dainty.

love the Languedoc and was very eager to visit the AXA property Mas Belles Eaux. The Languedoc, located in the south of France, borders the Mediterranean between the Pyrenees and the Rhone Valley. Grapes planted include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Carignan. Visiting Mas Belles Eaux. The Winery. The Vineyards. mas grapes.

so I am here in New York, on the jury panel to taste wines of the Cotes du Roussillon with regard to the Saint-Bacchus awards 2010, a competition originating in Roussillon that has been going on twenty-five years. was on the panel to choose red Cotes Du Roussillon. The preliminary tasting took place April 10 2010 in Perpignan.

think he liked the Chateau de Cabezac La Garrigue the best from Minervois and it was very good, yet I liked Le Petit Arthur, which was a GSM (grenache, syrah, mourvedre) with carignan. Tags: News arnaud moynier gontran dondain Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon sud de france Arnaud Moynier.

Makes sense I guess - the wines start at $25 for a VdP and go up to over $50 for his top wine, a gorgeous Syrah blend called Clos Milan. When I asked why no retailers have bought it he said "This is the ultimate hand-sell - an over $30 white wine from the Languedoc." Some wines sell themselves. don't think so. The wine has to move.

Syrah, and Grenache. 2006 Mas des Chimeres Coteaux du Languedoc , $20, Louis/Dressner Selections. 75% Syrah, some Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre make up the balance. Classic peppery and meaty Syrah, with good energy and balance. Call me crazy, but I don't see us climbing out of this recession any time soon.

The areas to consider are the Cote Du Rhone, The Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence and Southwest France. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut, these are the most popular grapes of Southern France and vignerons (French winemakers) play around with them in the cellars to create their own identities. Ah, the Holidays.

This, in my opinion, is the strongest part of the portfolio - the selections from southern France, country wines from the Rhône, Languedoc-Roussillan, and Provence. 2) 2006 Gilles Azzoni VdP Le Raisin et L'Ange Fable (100% Ard è che Syrah for acid freaks). 8) 2005 Les Tonnilli è res Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint Loup (Gorgeous!).

This wine is from St Chinian, an appellation in the western part of the Languedoc. 2005 Blandine Chauchat Coteaux de Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Les Tonilli è res , $17. This is a blend of Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache. I'm happy to tell you that these wines are even better with a meal than they were at the tasting.

It is commonly blended in many southern Rhône wines and in the Languedoc-Roussillon region directly to the west of Provence. In addition to Mourvèdre, Cinsaut and Grenache are also widely used, and Syrah and Carignan can be included in smaller amounts, up to 10% individually or up to 15% when they're both included. Why Bandol?

The first was a Corbieres, an appellation in the western part of the Languedoc made by a producer called 2 Anes, or Two Donkeys. Mostly Carignan, with some Grenache and Syrah thrown in, the 2005 Domaine des 2 Anes Corbieres Fontanilles was smooth and supple, ripe and complex. Turned out to be a real winner. They're all like that.

The two most affordable wine regions you will see in a shop are from the Rhone Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon. Our next offering is from the latter, specifically the Languedoc. But in 1987 the commission of wine growers in the Languedoc created a new designation to classify the wonderful single varietal wines of the area.

He has gone above and beyond the call of duty in providing lots of information regarding his chosen theme: wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France that are priced between $15-30. This is hot weather France where hardy grapes thrive, like Grenache and Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan, and of course, Syrah.

My 5's 2004 Eric Texier Cote-Rotie , $62 - This Northern Rhone Syrah was lighter than his other reds, incredibly intense nose of roasted meat and herbs, olives and soil. 100% Syrah from the resurrected Brezeme vineyard, this is light in color, but intense with plums, herbs, and tar, and really well balanced with nice acidity and low alcohol.

So what's the story with these sweet wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon anyway? The Languedoc-Roussillon could easily be two different wine regions, as it is somewhat spread out along the Mediterranean coast and inland, from the western edge of Provence all the way to the Spanish border near the city of Perpignan.