London-based Languedoc-Roussillon course like no other

A two-day course in London this month promises to cover every aspect of France’s most diverse and dynamic wine region, Languedoc-Roussillon.

The Languedoc-Roussillon contains 30 AOCs and is marketed under the Sud de France brand

Held on 17-18 September, the educational programme will be led by Matthew Stubbs MW, who lives and works in the region, and culminates in a certificate called the Sud de France Master Level.

Speaking to the drinks business about the programme, he said, “This is the first and only course [on the area] which leads to a certificate – having completed an exam – and it’s the only one that covers everything, from the history, climate and winemaking, and all the AOCs and IGPs of the Languedoc-Roussillon.”

Highlighting the complicated nature and scale of the region, he added, “There are 30 different AOCs and almost the same number of IGPs, and the Languedoc-Roussillon is practically twice the size of the whole vineyard area of Australia.”

For those who feel they already have a solid understanding of the region, Stubbs stressed the benefit of the course due to the rapid rate of change in the Languedoc-Roussillon.

“A lot of the AOCs have been created fairly recently and the wines have improved, regardless of whether they are under AOC or IGP. The move from quantity to quality is evident.”

Continuing he said, “A lot of people are coming in from within France and abroad and investing in the region, so there are more flagship estates, and biodynamic and organic producers, and the land is still cheap.”

Matthew Stubbs MW runs Vinécole in the Languedoc-Roussillon

Indeed, he compared the influx of new winemakers to the manic migration of workers to an area rich in minerals.

“This is like our gold rush; if you want to do quality but affordable wine, this is the region to look at.”

In terms of styles of the wines course attendees can expect to try, Stubbs said every type of wine from the Languedoc-Roussillon would feature.

“The people who come on the course will get to see what this region can really do, the diversity of wines, from sparkling to fortified, and everything in between,” he said.

Mentioning too that the programme would feature €70 fine wines as well as crisp, light whites and rosés suitable for supermarkets, he added, “I can’t think of any other region in the world which offers such diversity in one place – perhaps California comes close.”

Among other aspects noted by Stubbs, he recorded the excellent value for money available in the wines from Languedoc-Roussillon, picking out the £7-15 price band as a sweet spot.

“It is really delivering at those prices and there is a whole lot out there to be discovered,” he commented.

Unusual wines rarely seen in the UK will also form part of the programme, such as a white blend made from Vermintino, Roussanne and Viognier, or a fortified pink wine from Rivesaltes – Rivesaltes Rosé became an AOC last year – as well as Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale Limoux, the original sparkling wine, first created in 1531.

And in general, a mixture of the tradional and modern, indigenous and international will feature as part of the two day programme.

Finally, Stubbs stated Languedoc-Roussillon’s importance in the French wine hierarchy.

“This is a serious wine region and to me, this is the next classic wine region of France. I see no reason why it can’t be mentioned in the same breath as Bordeaux, Burgundy or the Rhône – everything is in place.

“Hopefully people will see that, see that the progress has been made, because we have very good wines lined up.”

Click here for more information on the course, which will be held at Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon on Cavendish Square.