Sud de France Languedoc-Roussillon TOPMAY 2016 100In partnership with 2 | LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON SUD DE FRANCE TOP 100 OUR WINES MAY 2016 A REGION FULL OF SURPRISES Tim Atkin MW, chairman of the judges, explains why Languedoc- Roussillon keeps on producing surprises and rewards How has the Sud de France Languedoc-Roussillon Top 100 competition influenced the quality and range of Languedoc-Roussillon wines in the UK? The Top 100 offers a badge of quality, and over the years has definitely been worth producers participating in, as they have gained valuable listings. Success is also shown by the ever wider sector of UK trade who have discovered more diverse Languedoc- Roussillon wines and are now stocking them. The awards offer a strong avenue to market for both established and new producers. achieved successfully. This becomes clear when you What changes have you seen in the past four years, see how certain styles reflect the biggest potential in terms of the wines which are entered? to show off the region. Look at the red blends using We have seen more blends, especially reds. Wines Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache. which show off a sense of place are showing strongly: AOC Faugères, AOC Terrasses du Larzac, AOC What do the judges look for when awarding Languedoc Pic Saint Loup, are just a few. Among the Trophy status to a Top 100 wine? white wines, it’s now much more than Chardonnay The panel looks for distinctive styles and, above all, and Sauvignon Blanc, but also Grenache Gris and quality. Personality that reflects the sense of place is Supplement to Harpers Wine & Spirit Trades Review by Agile Vermentino. Winemakers are moving away from oak also important. This year, trophies were more widely Media Ltd and achieving greater balance as a result. awarded across different styles. We were especially Subscription Supplement Editors Harpers Wine & Spirit is available on delighted to award a trophy to a vin doux naturel. Sébastien Du Boullay, annual subscription at the following What should the trade look for when selecting AOC Banyuls and AOC Rivesaltes wines should Isabelle Kanaan rate (UK) £217 CONTENTS Languedoc-Roussillon wines for the year ahead? also gain more attention one day. Within the panel, Group Art Editor Enquiries Christine Freeman Tel: +44 (0)800 652 6512 Above all, look for flavour and value for money, we have many returning judges, and this gives the Fax: +44 (0)1371 851808 Sub Editor Email: [email protected] and some say an overall personality which reflects trophies strong consistency. Additionally, we are Emily Kearns Address: Harpers Wine & Spirit sunshine in a glass. Sud de France has a steady delighted to welcome a strong line-up of new judges Q&A TIM ATKIN MW Trades Review, William Reed Business A word with the chairman of the judges for the Sud de France Publisher Media, Trinity House, Sculpins Lane, sunny climate and is a very reliable region to deliver from diverse sectors of the trade. Lee Sharkey 01293 558136 Top 100 and what to expect from this year's selection Wethersfield, Braintree, Essex CM7 all these qualities. It is much more than the just the Commercial Director 4AY FREEPOST RSSZ-TAZG-KHGR "New World" of France. There is consistency in the Will British consumers keep buying the big 3 Samantha Halliday Licensing & Syndication 01293 590053 Harpers Wine & Spirit is available winemaking, too. This is shown by the fact that the brands and mass-priced wines, or what else for international licensing and “Every year brings JUDGING Senior Account Manager syndication. For more information producers that have won the red and white of the year is demanding fresh attention? We meet the judges and hear about the rigorous process they Stuart Sadler 01293 590054 please email robert.proctor@wrbm. have won in the competition before. As for the 2015 different trends. The big names do well in the competition, and com or call +44 1293 610401 go through to arrive at the Top 100 Account Manager vintage, it is very promising – and is good the world we always see successful entries from Gérard Erica Stuart 01293 558132 The quality of the Harpers Wine & Spirit is published by over – just like the 2010, 2009 and 1990. Bertrand, Laurent Miquel and Paul Mas. The region 4 Agile Media under licence to William Account Executive Reed Business Media, Broadfield blended red wines offers much more than value for money, as it is Mark Gander 01293 558137 Park, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9RT WINE LISTS Managing Director What has influenced the development and success entered were the diversity of wines which is always exciting. For © William Reed Business Media 2016 The Top 100 wines in full, including trophy winners and Russell Dodd of Sud de France wines? reds within the £6.99 to £15.99 bracket, there are All rights reserved especially noticeable, further details for each successful entry Printed by Stephens & George Flying winemakers helped co-operatives clean up constant discoveries to be made. As for white wines, Agile Media, Longley House, but there is still 6 International Drive, Southgate and develop positively. There has also been valuable at around the £8 mark there is plenty for consumers Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex influence from outsiders from the region – from to enjoy. As judges, we also enjoy seeing new names RH10 6AQ more opportunity for Bordeaux and Paris. There was the realisation that we’ve not heard of among the entries, and certainly they simply had to do better, and this is now being fortifieds and rosés” there are some. 4 | LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON SUD DE FRANCE TOP 100 OUR WINES MAY 2016 THE JUDGES: Alastair Pyatt, buyer, Bibendum-PLB Group Alex Davies, buyer, Virgin Wines Ana Maria Martinez, Hotel Terravina and Sommelier of the Year 2015 Sud de THE 2016 REWARDING France Andrew Shaw, buying WINNERS director, Bibendum-PLB Group THE OUTSTANDING Andrew Sheridan, ex- international rugby player, LWF P40 WSET Diploma student The Top 100 results AND THE EXCELLENT Anthony Rose, writer and trophies are Beth Willard, buyer, Laithwaite’s & Averys announced at the Charles Metcalfe, writer London Wine Fair at Christine Parkinson, group Olympia, London, head of wine, Hakkasan on May 3, 2016 at François Dupont, buyer, Stone Vine & Sun 3pm by Tim Atkin Jamie Goode, writer and MW on the Sud de author France stand P40. All Jennifer Docherty MW, wines are on show for buyer, Liberty Wines tasting throughout Joe Wadsack, broadcaster, BBC Food & Drink the Fair, which runs Matthew Cooper, buyer, from May 3-5. There Ellis of Richmond is information on , writer and Oz Clarke how to source these broadcaster Pierre Hourlier, owner, wines, and there is a Pierre Hourlier Wines schedule of meetings Steve Crosland, buying between producers director, Tanners Wines and buyers. Susie Barrie MW, writer and broadcaster Tim Atkin MW, writer, author and judging 684 chairman wines from 214 A panel of the UK’s leading writers, agents, he Languedoc-Roussillon region the months ahead of tastings and commercial producers were keeps delivering surprises. As one introductions to trade buyers, and then to the end THE COMPETITION rigorously blind- trade buyers and sommeliers met in London in of the world’s largest winemaking consumer, the hard work has only just begun. The Sud de France Languedoc-Roussillon Top 100 tasted by six panels March to taste, judge and shortlist outstanding regions, this dynamic region spans No wonder that the reputation of Sud de France is an annual competition organised by the Comité of judges. The the Mediterranean from the Rhône Languedoc-Roussillon wines has soared. This year’s Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL) shortlisted wines wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon – one of valley up to the Spanish border and Top 100 is composed of a large selection of AOCs and Sud de France Développement to encourage were then tasted the world’s most dramatically diverse and encompasses almost all of the Pyrénées, as far as from Languedoc includling AOC Faugères, AOC producers of all sizes to show their best wines again by different Carcassonne to the west and Toulouse to the north. Saint Chinian and AOC Languedoc Pic Saint Loup, without restrictive criteria such as pricing bands. judges. Entries progressive wine regions. Now in its fourth TDifferent microclimates, in the hills and mountains, as well as AOCs from Roussillon and the Gard, and This has created a welcome environment for soared by 18% year, the Sud de France Languedoc-Roussillon through to the sunny slopes that roll down to the finally a large selection of IGPs from the region. open-minded judging and attracts an impressive compared with 2015. sea, create extraordinarily diverse terroirs for over Isabelle Kanaan, executive director for La panel of judges. Top 100 has become established as one of the 30 thriving indigenous grape varieties. Maison de La Région Languedoc-Roussillon- The campaign actively promotes the distribution year’s landmark wine competitions You can recognise a great respect for the sense Midi-Pyrénées, adds: “The judging day is the and availability of these Top 100 wines in the UK via 90 of place when you taste these wines. Skilled springboard for a fresh 2016 campaign to promote on and off-trade outlets. of the Top 100 wines winemaking to bring out individual character has the appeal of Languedoc-Roussillon wines, with are new wines. won the region its appeal. From easy-drinking their excellent consistency and quality at accessible wines to more standout styles, the best do not prices. Our judging panel is stronger than ever. WHAT THE JUDGES SAY compromise on quality to create value for money. Writers and buyers representing every sector identify Comments and recommendations are on the new 67 For the Top 100, the thorough blind tasting, a new Top 100 of wines which are interesting in their website, where you can continue to follow the re-tasting and judging gives every wine entered an diversity and serious in quality.” highlights of the competition year.