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News
Languedoc finds a new pecking order
A new hierarchy for the Languedoc appellations has been agreed by the Conseil Interprofessionel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL).
Building upon the AOC Languedoc base first established in 2007, two new tiers have now been created: Grands Vins du Languedoc and Grands Crus du Languedoc, in a move that the industry hopes will demonstrate its improved quality rather than confuse drinkers with further fragmentation of the appellation.
Those appellations qualifying for the Grands Vins du Languedoc tier are: Minervois, Corbières, Saint Chinian, Limoux sparkling wines, Malepère, Faugères, Cabardès, Muscats and part of the Terroirs de Coteaux du Languedoc, to include Picpoul de Pinet.
The higher Grands Crus du Languedoc tier encompasses Minervois La Livinière, Corbières Boutenac, Saint Chinian Roquebrun, Terrasses du Larzac, Grès du Montpellier, Pic Saint Loup, Pézenas, La Clape and still wines from Limoux.
Each category has been determined by its economic value, with a requirement to respect strict regulations.
Jérôme Villaret, executive officer of the CIVL, predicted: “This will mould the future of the Languedoc region for the next 15 years.”
The CIVL also used its June annual general meeting to approve a detailed action plan of technical, economic and marketing strategies, which will provide a framework for its activities over the coming years.
These steps include measures to control the quality and quantity of Languedoc wines and help for wineries in managing their production and sales stategies, as well as communication and promotional programmes designed to improve sales.
France has been criticised in the past for the overcomplicated, fragmented terminology used to classify its numerous wine producing regions.
However, if these steps really do result in demonstrably improved quality and since few consumers are likely to notice these changes anyway, then it would be churlish to dismiss any move to improve the profile of one of France’s most undervalued regions.
Gabriel Savage, 18.08.2010