Languedoc - France
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
Wine culture originated in the Languedoc region some 2,600 years ago. The Greeks introduced viticulture here, after which the Romans strongly promoted it. Unfortunately, after the Romans left, it fell into decline and only fully flourished with the rise of monasteries in 1450, when monks perfected winemaking. The style these monks introduced became the cradle of today's wine and can be found worldwide. The heyday of viticulture in this region was during the Roman Empire, when wine from this region was already renowned in Rome and exported to Germany. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the region also lost its reputation. In the subsequent period, wine was primarily produced for regional consumption and had a bad reputation internationally, primarily for being a sloppy wine.
Today, it's a region undergoing restructuring, rejuvenation, and renewal. Languedoc is, so to speak, France's New World, and here you can find all the French grape varieties used to make fine wine by young producers in old vineyards.
The Languedoc region spans three departments: Gard, Hérault, and Aude (the rivers in the Languedoc). It boasts stunning soil contrasts, resulting in a wide variety of excellent wines. The climate is Mediterranean, with over 2,000 hours of sunshine, and is strongly influenced by the Mistral and Tramontane winds.
Saint George d'Ibry
Fifteen kilometers north of Bèziers lies IGP Côtes de Thôngue. The Thôngue is the river that flows through the area, giving the wine region its name. Winters here are mild, summers warm and dry, cooled by the Mediterranean Sea, an ideal climate for viticulture. The soil here is rich in limestone, fossil oysters, and marl, which gives the white wines their fresh character. Here, I visited the vineyards of Domaine Saint Georges d'Ibry. This beautiful estate has been run by Michel Cros for over 40 years. The estate has 40 hectares of vineyards and has always remained within the family. All wines are produced organically. Made with respect for nature, the environment, and people, according to the Terra Vitis principles, which means minimal intervention.
Michel Cros makes wines that pair perfectly with southern French cuisine: cassoulet, cheeses, charcuterie, and Coq au Vin, to name just a few. He is one of the most beloved producers among our customers in the store. The fresh yet rich and smooth style of his white wines is particularly appreciated.
The fresh yet rich and soft style of the white wines is appreciated, with Muscat Sec being a small crowd-pleaser. The red wines are full-bodied and for lovers of that generous Languedoc style. And the price-quality ratio is always excellent with St. Georges D'Ibry.
The following wines are in
the wine shop on this website:
St Georges D'Ibry Excellence rosé - St Georges D'Ibry Muscat Sec - St Georges D'Ibry Excellence - St Georges D'Ibry Viognier - St Georges D'Ibry Chardonnay fût - St Georges D'Ibry Chardonnay - St Georges D'Ibry l'ame des Pins - St Georges D'Ibry cuvee 1870
In 1791, Cazal Viel was acquired by the Miquel family. The land surrounding the house was very fertile and the area was used for hunting and winemaking. Wine yielded little at the time, and therefore brought the Miquel family little wealth. Almost 200 years later, in 1970, Syrah was cultivated extensively in these southern French vineyards. Winemaker Henri Mique, nicknamed "Monsieur Syrah," released his first vintage as a winemaker in 1980. The Miquel family planted their first Viognier vines in 1992. The first harvest of these Viognier grapes, in 1995, was a resounding success. This motivated the Miquel family to plant even more of these magnificent grapes. In 2009, Laurent Miquel and his wife Neasa Corish Miquel purchased Château Les Auzines Lagrasse, situated on beautiful land in the Corbieres appellation.
During my visit to this winery, I enjoyed an interesting tasting from Neasa Miquel. The new Auzines line, featuring Albarino, rosé, and Syrah/Grenache, will be featured in my wine tastings for my guests at home, but I was most impressed by the Bardou Cessenon, made from old vines from a single vineyard and aged for 14 months in new, second-use barriques. Only 6,800 bottles were produced. I understand why Jancis Robinson called this producer, located at Château Cazal Viel in Saint-Chinian, one of the most reliable and forward-thinking producers in the Languedoc.
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