Recently I traveled to southern coastal France, specifically Narbonne. It lies along the Mediterranean, one hour south of Montpelier and three hours north of Barcelona, Spain.
Narbonne is within the Occitanie region, which is one of the largest vineyard and wine-producing areas by surface area, yet it is often overshadowed by Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy. This southern region provides unique terroir, and rosé and red wines that are made mostly from the grapes grenache, syrah (known as shiraz in Australia), mourvedre and carignan. These grapes are not widely grown in other areas of Europe or the U.S., although some producers are experimenting and working with them.
On this trip, the 15-hour day’s itinerary was chock full of wine-learning activities that immersed us in the culture and cuisine of coastal southern France. The fare is similar to Rhode Island’s, full of shellfish, oysters and other seafood. The beef, like we have here from local farms, was also the ideal partner for the red wines of the region.
I felt worlds away from anything while on this trip, surrounded by mountainous vineyards and oceanic backdrops. As always, I came back with more knowledge about southern France and why its wines shine.
As I always say, get out of your comfort zone and try something different. Enjoy these selections that highlight the grapes from different areas of southern France.
[caption id="attachment_420090" align="alignright" width="385"]
IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: The Gerard Bertrand winery in the Narbonne area of southern France handpicked the grapes for the Source of Joy rosé.
COURTESY JESSICA NORRIS GRANATIERO[/caption]
Gerard Bertrand Source of Joy rosé. It comes from organically farmed vineyards of schist and limestone. The grapes are picked by hand, which results in the careful attention to each bunch. A portion of the wine has matured in oak barrels to give it weight and roundness while not being heavy and still maintaining its acidity. Made from three grapes – grenache, syrah and cinsault, it displays a light pink hue and flavors of strawberry and cherry on the palate. It’s a great partner for classic Mediterranean cuisine – stuffed grape leaves, artichoke and asparagus salad, shellfish and even tender, grilled meats. Under $25.
Gerard Bertrand Change sauvignon blanc. This sauvignon blanc comes from vineyards close to the coast. The oceanic cool breezes at night help the grapes maintain a nice, balanced acidity. Therefore, the wine too displays the same. The flavor profile is full of bright pear and citrus notes, all backed by a crisp vibrancy. It is stainless steel fermented – without oak influence – and is 100% organic. Pair with local, raw oysters with mignonette, lobster risotto or grilled sea bass. Under $20.
Chateau Maris Las Combes. Chateau Maris is an organic and biodynamic vineyard that sits inland from the coast. This red is made from the grenache grape. It shows elegance and finesse but at the same time has power and great aging potential. The beautiful deep purple hue is evident when poured into the glass. The notes on the palate show blackberry, plum, black cherry, roasted coffee beans and chocolate mocha. One of the best food pairings is grilled lamb chops, along with roasted duck breast with a cherry sauce or filet mignon. Under $35.
Chataeau Maris rosé. This light pink wine is made from both grenache and syrah, organically grown. It shows us a vibrancy on the palate that marries well with cherry and raspberry notes. The nose displays rose floral notes. The wine is stainless steel fermented and gives us a refreshing cleanness. It is best paired with shrimp cocktail or sautéed shrimp over black rice, roasted turkey with cranberry, or roasted chicken rubbed with tarragon atop red potatoes. Under $20.
Jessica Granatiero is the founder of The Savory Grape, a wine, beer and spirits shop in East Greenwich. She can be reached through her website, www.jessicagranatiero.com.
