Pic Saint- Loup PRESS PACK PIC SAINT-LOUP AOC LANGUEDOC Syndicat des vignerons du Pic Saint-Loup Route de Pompignan - 34270 Valflaunès Tél. 33(0)4 67 55 97 47 - Fax 33(0)4 67 56 52 38 Port. 33(0)6 45 95 08 51 - [email protected] www.pic-saint-loup.com Contacts Presse : Clair de Lune - Marie Gaudel - Amandine Rostaing 3 grande rue des Feuillants - 69001 Lyon Tél. 33(0) 4 72 07 31 90 - Fax 33(0) 4 72 07 31 91 [email protected] - [email protected] www.clairdelune.fr Pic Saint- Loup Environment and area Nestling in the foothills of the Cévennes some 20 kilometres to the north of Montpellier in the Hérault, the Pic Saint Loup vineyards are among Languedoc's most northerly. Part of the AOC Languedoc family, the area, covering thirteen communes and with an annual production of 25,000 hectolitres, is about to become an AOC in its own right. It was at the end of 2001 that the producers applied to the INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality) for the name AOC Pic Saint-Loup to be recognized officially. The formalities being completed, the request should be confirmed at the end of 2010.*. ( *See interview on page 3.) Set between the Mediterranean and the Cévennes Set between the Mediterranean and the Cévennes, in the south the Pic Saint-Loup area starts near the outskirts of Montpellier, and encircles the Pic Saint-Loup (658 metres) and the Hortus slopes(512 metres). To the north it stretches to the Gard and Hérault boundary. Key figures - Area under production : 1 500 hectares - Production area : 13 communes (Les Matelles, Saint-Gély-du- Fesc, Le Triadou, Saint-Jean-de-Cuculles, Cazevieille, Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers, Valflaunès, Corconne, Sauteyrargues, Lauret, Claret, Fontanès, Sainte-Croix-de-Quintillargues). - Number of producers : 53, including 3 caves coopérative. Production - Annual production : 25 000 hectolitres - Average yields : between 40 et 45 hl/ha - Colours produced : red and rosé Sales - Export : 48.7 % - Direct from property : 20.1 % - Professionals France (off-licences etc.) : 31.2 % MONTPELLIER www.pic-saint-loup.com Pic Saint- Loup Making wine has been a tradition since the Romans The history of the vine in the small Pic Saint-Loup region reflects that of all the great French vineyards. Vine cultivation started largely with the Roman occupation around 120 BCE. Since then it has constantly expanded. The Romans cultivated vines Amphora found in archaeological digs in the area show that wine cultivation probably took off under the Romans. Roman colonizers in the Languedoc followed their homeland's practice of creating latifundia or huge agricultural estates covering thousands of hectares. Great wine lovers, they guaranteed supply by producing it themselves. But the fall of the Roman Empire meant that the Languedocian vineyards declined too. The influence of the Church The monasteries entered the field in the V century leading to the resurgence of vineyards, including the Pic Saint-Loup area, a fact illustrated in the study of place names. The commune of Claret, founded in the XI century was certainly named after a wine which was in those days simply known as "claret". As for Saint-Jean-de-Cuculles, the name reminds one of the habits worn by monks – but also the vignerons… The first written documents relating to the continued presence of wines in the Pic Saint-Loup area date from XIII century even though then it was only one form of local agriculture. Modern times From the XIX century onwards, as the vines destroyed by phylloxera were replaced and the cooperative movement took off, the region moved towards a grape monoculture. Pic Saint-Loup wines were beginning to be drunk outside the area, first in Montpellier, then further afield they were shipped from the port of Sète. Around 1900 Joseph Manissier was the first wine producer to sell his own wines and those of many of his friends, under the name "Pic Saint-Loup". He sold to some of the best known restaurants in Paris, most specially the Marguerit, a dining haunt of diplomats and ambassadors. Obviously the wines deserved to be exported. 1931 : birth of the wine producers' Syndicat Founded in 1931, the economic crisis of the '30s put it into limbo. However it came back to life after the Second World War and in 1946 the Pic Saint-Loup area achieved VDQS (Vin délimité de qualité supérieure) status, although it was not until 1950 that the Ministry gave its support and the 18 May 1955 decree gave the final seal of approval to the VDQS category. Since then, the Syndicat's work has never ceased, presided over by Jean-Marc Ravaille, wine producer at the Ermitage du Pic Saint-Loup. That the work was worthwhile is proven by the fact that the AOC Pic-Saint Loup's request for formal recognition is about to reach fruition. (see interview on page 3). « It's probable that those living here 2800 – 2400 years BCE already drank Pic Saint-Loup… After all, wild vines – lambrusques – were growing way back then. » www.pic-saint-loup.com Pic Saint- Loup The road to recognition Deep down, Pic Saint-Loup producers have always wanted to create their own identity and name, never hesitating to self impose true discipline to lift themselves above the mass of wines. Proof : today the area is known for producing some of the best quality wines in the region. Moving up from AOC Languedoc status, its reputation is about to be confirmed as it moves to become AOC Pic Saint-Loup, the top level in the AOC hierarchical structure – a "must" in terms of quality. Jean-Marc Ravaille, President of the Syndicat des vignerons du Pic Saint-Loup explains. INTERVIEW - May 2009 Why is the Pic Saint-Loup perceived as an AOC when officially it is not yet the case ? J.-M. Ravaille – It comes down to human beings. Since 1955 when they achieved VDQS status, Pic Saint-Loup producers have never ceased to be alive to the need to produce quality wines and have been prepared to work hard to achieve this end, agreeing to abide by stricter production regulations than laid down in the 1985 decree*. In addition, to achieve AOC status three factors need to be brought into play : the terroir, mens' work and the products. The Pic Saint-Loup has succeeded. You have made an official request to the INAO for Pic Saint-Loup to be awarded AOC status. How are matters progressing ? J.-M. Ravaille – The INAO's national committee considered our file last May 29, and depending on the result, there will be a public enquiry lasting two months. We should, therefore, move to AOC status for the harvests of 2010 or 2011. What does this move to AOC status mean ? J.-M. Ravaille – – It's a tribute to and recognition of all the work put in by all my predecessors and by generations of wine producers. Most especially, AOC status is synonymous with top quality and will help us sell our area even further. * Decree of 24 December 1985 defining the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Coteaux du Languedoc and Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup. 1955 : Official recognition of the Pic Saint-Loup in the 1985 : 24 Decembre 1985 decree defining VDQS zone, then consisting of nine communes Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée Coteaux du (Claret, Cazevieille, Corconne, Fontanès, Lauret, Languedoc and Coteaux du Languedoc Pic Saint- Saint-Jean-de-Cuculles, Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers, Loup. Sauteyrargues et Valflaunès). 1994 : recognition of the Pic Saint-Loup 1966 : Two successive decrees increasing the size of denomination the Pic Saint-Loup zone. On 16 May the communes 2001 : official request for AOC Pic Saint-Loup status of Sainte-Croix-de-Quintillargues and Saint-Gély-du- to the INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Fesc were broughtin, and on 13 November Matelles Qualité. and Triadou joined the Pic Saint-Loup zone bringing 2009 : Consideration by the national committee of the total to thirteen communes. the INAO. « With wines that epitomize the rebirth of Languedocien vineyards, the Pic Saint- Loup could become a type of premier cru. » Le Point, n° 1757, 2007. www.pic-saint-loup.com Pic Saint- Loup A homogenous terroir Here, the words "unique climate" are common, and used whatever the year. But weather apart, the Pic Saint-Loup areacis remarkbly homogenous. Here's why. Environment The Pic Saint-Loup area is on the lower Cevennes foothills, in the garrigue land north of Montpellier. Although the Pic Saint-Loup and Hortus mountains rise to 658 metres and 512 metres respectively, most vines are grown at altitudes of around 150 metres. The vegetation, well suited to summer droughts, is made up of various typical Mediterranean plants : Holm and Kermes oak, Aleppo pine, arbutus, juniper as well as thyme, laurel, cade, rosemary, cistus, all of which can be found in the Pic Saint Loup wines’ palette of aromas. Climate Pic Saint-Loup's climate differs from that of Montpellier largely because of its relatively high average altitude (150 metres) and its distance from the sea (approx 30 kms). As a result, the climate is more continental with hot, dry summers and cooler springs. Rainfall, even more than temperature, accentuates this continental character. With an average of 900 mm, the winter rain restores the underground water stocks thus compensating for dry summers. In addition, strong night/day temperature variations mean the grapes quality is enhanced by ripening in excellent conditions. These unique climatic conditions all contribute to the special character of Pic Saint- Loup wines. Soil types Nearly all geological eras from the secondary, tertiary to quaternary are to be found in the Pic Saint-Loup area, ranging from the Trias (-190 million years) to current alluvial deposits.