Jean-Claude Mas: no added sulphur wines taste best

The Domaines Paul Mas owner says his zero added-sulphur wines “taste far better” than those to which sulphur has been added during the fermentation process.

Jean-Claude Mas, the owner of Domaines Paul Mas, said visitors to London Wine Fair could expect the strongest portfolio yet from the producer this year (Photo: Domaines Paul Mas)

Mas’s comments come as the Languedoc-based producer prepares to showcase its new range of ‘sulphur-free’ wines in the UK for the first time at May’s London Wine Fair.

Mas said he was “particularly excited” to be showcasing the Domaines Paul Mas 2015 Cuvée Secrète red, a no added-sulphur blend of Merlot/Cabernet Franc, in addition to the no added-sulphur 2015 Cuvée Secrète Chardonnay.

“This year, we have been experimenting with low SO2 [sulphur dioxide] fermentation techniques and the results are convincing: the cuvées without sulphur taste far better than those to which sulphur has been used throughout the fermentation and they continue to develop in intensity,” said Mas.

Domaines Paul Mas said it is now “leading the vanguard” for sulphur-free and low-sulphite wines in the Languedoc.

In 2015, the estate vinified around half of its white wine and 25% of its red volume as either low-sulphite or sulphur-free.

Harvesting at night to prevent grape oxidation and careful management of the fermentation process meant its producers could refrain from using any SO2 until the end of the vinification process, the producer said. Mas hopes to eventually work this way for the entire production at Domaines Paul Mas.

The fourth-generation company owner said that the production of two zero added-sulphur cuvées had been made possible by an “exceptional” 2015 harvest.

“The 2015 harvest, which was simply of exceptional quality, enabled us to further experiment with low and sulphite-free wines, due to the outstanding quality of the fruit we picked,” he explained.

“We are now convinced that sulphur, albeit a useful tool for preserving wines, is not essential, and we are tending to use it as little as possible – a strategy which is paying dividends for our wines.”

Mas said that visitors to the London Wine Fair (LWF) can expect “the strongest portfolio yet” from the company this year.

The Cuvée Secrète range on display also includes a Minervois La Liviniere and a Clairette du Languedoc, a little known appellation to the north of Pézénas in the Hérault Valley. 

Organic wines and sustainability are similarly important themes being promoted by Domaines Paul Mas this year. In 2015, Jean-Claude Mas purchased Domaine Silène des Peyrals in Herault, which boasts 24 hectares of organically managed vineyards that will complement the existing organic projects being implemented across Domaines Paul Mas.

“Innovation, expansion and a constant need to push the boundaries of what is achievable in the Languedoc is at the heart of our company’s philosophy,” commented Mas.

“I’m excited to be showcasing such a wide variety of new wine styles at this year’s LWF, including our delicious Astélia rosé, sulphite-free wines and some new sparkling wine styles. In fact, I can safely say that visitors to this year’s fair should expect our most diverse offering to date.”