We’re embracing the world of wine holidays today as we’re celebrating three big ones: Wine Wednesday (a tried and true favorite), National Wine Day (heck yes!) and Languedoc Day (that’s a new one!). Lucky for you, we have the perfect pair to highlight all three.
Located in the south of France, Languedoc makes up 90% of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, which combine to represent the single biggest wine producing region in France and a prime source of great value wine. Red wines from Languedoc are primarily full-bodied blends with Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvedre as major components. Today, we’re honing in on Carignan.
Carignan (pronounced “care-in-yen”) wines have long been known for value, but are more recently being recognized for quality as well! Carignan produces medium-bodied, fruit forward wines with low-tannins, a hit for Pinot Noir and Beaujolais lovers like us!
Recently, Beth stopped into Formaggio Kitchen for a pick-me-up of delicious cheese, treats, and a chat with the wine buyer about his favorite old and new bottles. The conversation led down memory lane to Beth’s days as a cheesemonger and to a certain favorite budget bottle that just happened to be sitting front and center in today’s display.
Château d’Oupia Pays D’Hérault “Les Hérétiques” ($12) has been a favorite go-to wine for easy drinking any day of the week. It’s medium bodied and lightly fruit-forward with earthy undertones, perfect with or without a charcuterie board to snack on. Depending on the vintage, this wine is at least 80% Carignan with some Grenache mixed in.
Unable to resist a wine experiment (or a glowing recommendation), Beth also grabbed a bottle of Mary Taylor – Anne Sarda Coteaux de Cabrerisse ($11) made with 100% Carignan and also from Languedoc. Mary Taylor partners with grower-producers throughout rural Europe to create a brand American consumers can trust to decipher the complex notion of terroir in a clear and straightforward way. When you spot her white label series, you can expect a solid representation of the appellation noted on the bottle.
I created Mary Taylor Wine because I don’t think you should have to be a serious wine expert to experience the kind of honest, authentic wines that the Europeans have been enjoying for centuries.
Mary Taylor, mt.wine
The two wines are similarly medium-light in body with a little more heft from Les Hérétiques, though you can’t go wrong with either for the price!
Are you celebrating the holidays today?!
Witty Pairs 