JUNE 2024

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Vin de Pays d'Oc_Ferrandiere_Montagne Noire seen from the top of our cellar in the dry pond of Marseillette.jpg

In 1987, the region of Languedoc-Roussillon created a catch all IGP region for vineyards within its territory that were not in designated AOC status appellations (e.g. Corbières, Minervois, Faugères, Picpoul de Pinet, Côtes de Roussillon, etc.). They called it Vin de Pays d'Oc which means "wines from the area of Oc = Occitan in the local dialect. Vin de Pays d'Oc has 4 sub-regions: Gard, Hérault, Aude & Pyrénées-Orientales. When the sub-region is used on the label, it will say Vin de Pays de l'Aude, for example.

The fun thing about the IGP Vin de Pays d'Oc appellation is that is was created with a lot of flexibility and creativity in mind. While AOC designations have strict requirements as to which grapes can be used, how they should be blended, how long the wines must be aged, etc., Vin de Pays d'Oc has very few restrictions. The growers curently cultivate 58 grape varietals used to make red, rosé & white wines. The wines can feature single varietals or blends. The wines tend to be well-priced, fresh, fun, and super interesting! No stodgy French winemaking rules here!

Your club features a rosé made from Grenache Gris (very rare) and Malbec from vineyards in the sub-region of Hérault. I'm pleased with these wines. Hope you are, too.

Vignobles Ferrandière

Located in Vin de Pays de L'Aude, about half an hour due east of the town of Carcassonne (famous for its medieval citadel), this property lies between the Minervois & Corbières AOCs and is only 25 miles from the Mediterranean. The Gau family owned and farmed this estate for more than 100 years, selling it to Jean-Claude Mas in 2013.

A note on this property from the winery: "The vines are planted on the old saltwater marsh of Marseillette and on the hillsides of Saint Frichoux. Deep beneath the clay soils lies a bed of salt and we are able to remove the salinity using the very specialised technique of flooding the vineyards in winter. This also protects the vines from frost damage. As these soils are not susceptible to phylloxera, we can plant ungrafted vines. The estate, covering 100 ha, benefits from a Mediterranean climate but due to the relief of the terrain, there are large variations between day and night-time temperatures."

The estate grows 18 grape varieties and specializes in single-varietal wines. Your club wine is a rosé made from Grenache Gris which is a natural mutation that grows spontaneously in vineyards of traditional Grenache Rouge.

Vignobles Ferrandière 2023 Grenache Gris
Vin de Pays d'Oc, France // Reg $15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79

100% Grenache Gris. Organic. Lots of red fruits on the nose. Strawberry, raspberry. A little earthiness. Add in cantaloupe on the flavors. Really good acidity. Good minerality. Nice, fresh finish. Drink now to 1 year. Great wine just to sit and slurp! Or enjoy with crab cakes or pork burgers off the grill.

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Philippe Lebrun, Winemaker

Philippe Lebrun is a classic example of the dynamic, young winemaker taking advantage of the flexibility available to him in the Vin de Pays d'Oc appellation. Philippe studied winemaking and oenology in Burgundy, then headed south to make his name. He sources grapes from vineyards scattered around Vin de Pays d'Oc and Gascogne. He made your club wine at a co-op facility in Cébazan, half an hour northwest of Béziers in the sub-region of Hérault.

Reserve de Marande 2020 Malbec
Vin de Pays d'Oc, France // Reg $13.99 | Mixed Case $11.19

100% Malbec. Super nose of blackberries, dark plums, and a little spice. Flavors are the same. Add in blueberries, with a slight note of coffee. Fresh, long finish. Plays with you a little. That wine for the money is phenomenal! Drink now to 1 year. Enjoy with summer fare: burgers, pizza, grilled meats and more.