Wine by the Glass #LanguedocVan

From October 10^th until November 14^th experiences the wines of the Languedoc at four Vancouver wine bars.  The Wine Bar, Brix, Siena, and Seasons in the Park are all pouring between two and four feature wines from this region of foothills and sea in the South of France.  By eating and sipping at each location you can enter to win gift certificates and a fantastic prize of a limousine for two visiting all four wine bars for wine and appetizers.  Take a selfie with a glass of Languedoc wine at each location for even more chances of winning and post it to Twitter and Facebook using the hash tag #LangeudocVan @Languedocwines.

Take a Selfie & Tweet @LanguedocWines
to win prizes including a limo wine bar crawl
Stephen Bonner & Joy Metcalfe

What to know about the Languedoc? It’s a wine region made up of four departments, the Eastern Pyrennes, the Aude, the Herault, and the Gard covering  40,000 ha over a large range of climate and soil types.  The Langeudoc produces a full roster of wine types from still whites, sparkling, rose, reds, and dessert wines.  Winemaking focuses on Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan for red and rose production; along with Grenache blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Viognier, Picpoul, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino and Ugni Blanc for whites. 

Languedoc is rich in food and wine;  bridging the French, Spanish, and North African cultures. Spice markets, cafés, canals, rolling foothills, as well as castles and abbeys dot the landscape. This is home to the Mediterranean lifestyle and diet and an array of wine styles ideally suited to the cuisine.

Vancouver is the perfect North American city to promote and taste this region’s wine. With our Pacific rim, farm to fork, and market-oriented restaurants the wines of Langeudoc are natural partners. Try a Limoux with oysters or sushi, a Minervois red with a herby goat cheese or a burger, a GSM with bbq’d meats or a curry, and a Muscat with chocolate or nut based dessert.

Look for bottles and end caps with the Occitan Cross “The Langeudoc Cross” representing the twelve signs of the zodiac and the months of the year is found on all bottles of wine from this region. An ancient symbol re-interpreted for a classic wine region and wine.

Wines tasted on my recent wine bar crawl

Sieur d’Arques Premiere Bulle Limoux

Pale yellow colour with decent mousse. Aromas of brioche and  flower petals, Light to medium-bodied with crisp apple and white peach notes. Refreshing and round mouth feel.  ***

Chateau Pech-Celeyran Cinquieme Generation La Clape 2011

Yellow straw colour with aromas of flowers and mild tropical fruits. Medium-bodied, nice unctuous texture on the mid palate and flavours of peach, honeysuckle, and guava. Good length and acidity. ***

Domaine Delso Picpoul de Pinet 2012

Pale straw green with aromas of  lime and subtle rose notes. Light-bodied, refreshing acidity, and flavours of  pear, citrus, and flower petals. ***

Gerard Betrand Terrior Minervois 2010

Dark garnet colour with a bouquet of smoke, blackcurrant, and briar. Medium-bodied with garrigue notes, cherry, and plum. Good length with soft tannins.  ***

Domaines Paul Mas GSM Coteaux du Languedoc 2011

Ruby purple colour. Aromas of blackberry, voilets, and mineral. Medium to full-bodied with plum, blackberry, licorice, tobacco, with a finish of spice and savoury herbs. Good value. ****

Saint-Saturnin Le Clocher Languedoc 2010

Garnet red with black plum aromas. Medium-bodied with soft tannins, and flavours of earth, strawberry, and plum. ***

Domaine de Babio Minervois 2009

Ruby red with complex aromas of spice, liquorice, and red fruits. Medium to full-bodied, with youthful tannins, mineral, fruit compote, and meaty undertones. Good complexity and length. ****

Antech Cuvee Expression Cremant de Limoux 2009

Pale straw yellow with good mousse. Aromas of biscuit, nut, brioche, and granny smith apple. Medium-bodied, creamy textured palate, and flavours of honeyed apple, lime,  nuts, brioche, and a hint of sweet pear. ****

Restaurants participating in the Languedoc Wine Bar Crawl

Provence/The Wine Bar              1167  Marineside Crescent           @TWB_TheWineBar

Brix                                             138 Homer Street                         @brixvan

Seasons in the Park                     QE Park                                       @SeasonsinQEPark

Siena                                           1485 West 12^th                             @SienaVancouver