The new Eldorado Languedoc!

At the dawn of the emergence of “appellations of the Languedoc wines, we went to interview the president of one of them.
Goumard Vincent, owner and winemaker of Mas Cal DeMoura , is loud and the colors of its name: Les Terrasses Larzac . During this interview, he explains the features of this designation and its pretensions. Without doubt one of the jewels of Languedoc future, sees far this term and already offers a contemporary view of the vineyards in the region, turned to the quality and richness of the wines!
He is preparing something big in these terraces Larzac , it does provide even reach the
level of quality and consistency of the wines from Pic Saint Loup, the illustrious neighbor … After all Baudile Mount, which overlooks the appellation , rises above the already Pic Saint Loup! Should this be seen as a sign? A path to take? In all cases the wines tasted from Terraces Larzac are the height of their ambitions.


A name that has the freshness of Larzac.

Set against the foothills of the Larzac terraces, the vineyards of the eponymous name spread over a thirty communities located around these massive limestone (the limestone plateaus) dominated by Mount Baudile.

The diversity of the many vineyards found implanted on the name Terraces Larzac is nonetheless a treasure that avoids the standardization of wines of appellation.
The Ruffians (red earth clay concretions) around Lake Salagou, the slopes of pebbles Puechabon, micro-terraces above the sea Lodeve designed, vineyard plots reclaimed from the scrub, and limestone between Ganges and Aniane soils balanced Jonquières … involved in the outbreak of geographical subtleties within this family of Terraces Larzac .
For the singular profiles, these wines express the richness and generosity of the five major grapes of the Languedoc (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault Mourvedre) and offer a fresh and subtle interpretation of Eldorado Languedoc.

Just came out from its inception in 2005, this designation gives already the beginnings of a success story that finally draws a spotlight on an area where wine history is marked by centuries of cultivation of the vine.
The name that better than the president can describe …

Interview Goumard Vincent – Union President Les Terrasses du Larzac.

Noon-Wine: Tell us the name of Larzac Terraces.

Vincent Goumard “The first is geographical
Les Terrasses du Larzac are represented by a V-backed open to Causses Larzac which follows the valley of the Hérault on one side and the valley Lergue other. At the northern end West Terraces Larzac Montoulieu include villages, Brissac, then descends to the Causse de la Selle, Puechabon, Aniane, so far, and St. Andre Gignac Sangonis. Then name the valley of Lergue making a detour to the lake Salagou and villages Octon and Mérifons. She ended by way of Saint John of the direction Blaquiere the north end of East Terrace Larzac where are the Pégairolles Escalette Soubès, Laurous, etc..

Within this V, the term includes the villages of Saint Privas, Saint Jean de Fos, Montpeyroux Jonquières, Saint Saturnin, Saint Guiraud, Arboras, etc..
Then there is this particular climate:

These villages are between 70 and 400 meters, and allow a different expression for the same grape. This feature is in the richness of the wines from Les Terrasses du Larzac. So there are 32 municipalities that constitute the Terraces adjoining the Causses Larzac Larzac that brings a freshness that differentiates this from other land in the Languedoc. This is actually the Languedoc where temperature differences between day and night are the most important. This feature allows you to find in wine acidity synonymous with freshness and brings revelations aromatic particularly interesting.

Noon-Wine: What are the ambitions of this designation in terms of wine quality?

V. Goumard: “The wines that we produce are quality wines whose ambition is affirmed. So instead of keeping wines, which will be worked with production constraints in terms of size, performance, larger than the standard name Languedoc (ex-Coteaux du Languedoc). That means lower yields, a shorter size, farms, longer, etc. … These features allow our wines to express themselves over time, with depth, with the complexity, but always with this dimension of freshness and elegance brings this land.

Noon-Wine: Where are the discussions regarding the recognition of the designation Terraces Larzac?

V. Goumard: “For the moment, the name is associated Terraces Larzac and inseparable from the Languedoc appellation (on labels). That is also the case for the names Pic Saint Loup, La Clape Picpoul de Pinet, … The “identity card” Local Terrasses du Larzac is not yet recognized as a name (but is about point of being). This recognition would greet the quality of wines produced by 45 private cellars and 4 cooperatives participating in the work and success Terrasses du Larzac.

Noon-Wine: Tell us what was the genesis of the name Terraces Larzac?

V. Goumard: “The decree defining the Terraces Larzac dates from 2005 and retroactive to the 2004 vintage. So the first wine Terraces Larzac stamped date of 2004. Even if – in this case – wine history Terrasses du Larzac extraordinarily old as evidenced by the active markers of viticulture in the Middle Ages around Aniane and its network of abbeys. There is also evidence of Roman activity close by. And to go back to something more recent, is one of the areas that contributed to the launch of the first areas VDQS (Wine Of Superior Quality) who accomplished the creation of the Coteaux du Languedoc. And here there are many area lights, real workhorses of Languedoc quality. So this whole story – even if it has accomplished in 2005 – the date really 1980 for the origin of its qualitative approach.

Noon-Wine: What are the specifics of the new specifications Terrasses du Larzac?

V. Goumard: “For clarification, the name refers only Terraces Larzac red wines. It is a hierarchical name from Languedoc with production constraints that are different from Languedoc.
The maximum yield is 45 hl / ha compared to 50 hl / ha in Languedoc appellation, the sizes should be short, there are constraints of assembly.
It is about 5 varieties of Languedoc with a minimum of two grape varieties that fall within the assembly. We suggest to add a third as it is considered that the land should prevail on the vine and the assembly is more complex and the terroir speak in various facets. We note that almost all or at least the vast majority of wine terraces Larzac are wines that assemble three, four, or five varieties.
Then there are constraints of livestock. The wines may not be placed on the market before September of the year following the harvest. Hence a minimum duration of one year but now it is clear that the wines are a little longer, on average between 18 and 24 months. However, the legal constraints of the specification is 12 months minimum.
The merits of this approach is given by the work that each performs to express its terroir.

Noon-Wine: What are your obligations vis-à-vis your office chair?

V. Goumard: “Our union belongs to the Coteaux du Languedoc.
I am a director in the Coteaux du Languedoc and I participate in various activities, studies, which can lead to the future of what happens here, debates, …
My role has primarily a task-related dialogue.
We remain dependent and close to our family of Coteaux du Languedoc “.

Noon-Wine: What future do you want for the name Terraces Larzac?

V. Goumard:

Administratively:
I want the record Terraces Larzac continues to grow, and succeed in creating their own names to lend credibility to all that is within the Terraces Larzac. This will validate the capability that we have to manage an appellation us.
It starts with the creation of a dossier by the competent admissible. The ambition is to reach to validate our project. ”
On the operational level (which is inseparable from administrative):
It is to show what differentiates this soil and that makes it unique. When sampling the wines, we recognize the character and the quality expressed by the terroir. There is a consistent quality that does not mean consistency of product. Each grower must give its interpretation of the soil.
This qualitative notion of consistency that is if everybody pulls in the same direction by selecting products that may claim the “Terrasses du Larzac and decommission those who are not.”
Continue our internal progression:
This requires an increase in the involvement and collective dynamics.
The volume of wine products and wine sales are up. This shows that wine growers offer more and more wines to the quality of Larzac Terraces, and the market is demanding more of these wines with high expression of identity and quality. ”
“Improving the external growth
Many domains on the name, but that did not produce the appellation Larzac Terraces are the administrative process and qualitative access to that designation. We have doubled production in two years. We’ve gone from 4 000-5 000 hl of production 9000 – 10 000 hl, which is a small production anyway. The importance of the market also increases. The areas of the sector following this qualitative approach.
The objective is to maintain this momentum while enhancing our appreciation. This must be understood by all!

Each domain contributed a double message. The first relates to the characteristics of each area and the second is related to the promotion of the name of the family!
In short each domain is the advocate of the name just as he defends these differences.
These volumes should grow according to quality requirements and market demand. The goal is to associate the Terraces Larzac a concept of quality visible to all. ”
The name of Larzac Terraces at a glance:

Nearly 300 hectares of vineyards produce approximately 9000 hl of wine in 2009 (these figures are rising steadily since the inception of this designation in 2005!)
85 private cellars and 4 cooperatives involved in this success.
The circulades winegrowers to integrate Terraces Larzac steps to wine tourism.

Each year, a village in the name welcomes these circulades. On this occasion, the union and the producers put in four and offer introductions to Terraces Larzac stroll through the vineyards fed by tasting wines from this appellation. This year these circulades take place around the village of St Jean de Fos Saturday, July 3, 2010 (booking with the Syndicat des Coteaux du Languedoc 04 67 April 6, 1944).

If you have the desire to discover the excellent wines in Terraces Larzac , here’s a selection of the best areas are in the process of (or have) integrated family Terraces Larzac