French Wine Society News

[Chefgordon]

Bonjour !

Matthew Stubbs, MW, will present Languedoc-Roussillon in a new light at the FWS Conference, July 25-27 at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.

A few words about his seminar...
FWS: You state that Languedoc-Roussillon is arguably the most "misunderstood" wine region in France. How so?
STUBBS: The prevailing image of Languedoc-Roussillon is still one of a region producing high quantities of average quality wine. This could not be further from the truth. No wine region in France has experienced the revolution that is currently taking place here.
FWS: What kind of revolution?
Old vineyards, a panoply of soil types, huge variety in climates, stones, wind, "garrigue" all provide the ingredients for great wine. Yes, there is still volume to be had, but now the emphasis has changed. The move today is definitely towards quality, but more importantly, there is a move to express a sense of place in the most expert and non-interventionist way possible.
FWS: You will put this revolution to the "taste test"?
Absolutely. The wines to be tasted at the Washington conference are a personal selection which show how tradition sits comfortably alongside innovation, a selection which demonstrates a diversity seldom found in a single region...a selection that also showcases why the Languedoc-Roussillon can lay claim to be the next "classic" wine region of France."
FWS: Can you elaborate upon the rationale behind the wine list?
STUBBS: Sure!
Picpoul de Pinet - Cave de PomerolsA variety rarely found outside the Mediterranean, but nonetheless worth seeking out.
Viognier - Nord Sud Laurent MiquelLike Condrieu at a quarter of the price
Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc19 grape varieties in one wine from the first flagship estate of the Languedoc-Roussillon
Le Soula Blanc
Surprise, surprise! A warm area producing delicate and classy white wines!
Gayda Chemin de MoscouA triumph of cross-regional blending
Mas du Soleilla Les Bartelles, La ClapeA wine expressing where garrigue meets stones, wind and sea
Gauby Muntada
A strikingly individual wine made by a striking individual
Grange des Pères Red 2007A veritable Cru Classé of the Languedoc from a former doctor turned expert wine maker
La Peira en DamoiselaMaybe difficult to pronounce but unforgettable once tasted
Leon Parcé Banyuls - La Rectorie
Steep like the Mosel, concentrated like the Douro. Dramatic wine from the southern-most appellation in France
Domaine Cazes - Aimé Cazes Rivesaltes 1978To the list of Sherry, Port, Madeira ... add Rivesaltes. And this is the wine to make that case!

Matthew has worked in the wine industry for 23 years after graduating with a BA in French/ German and an MA from Cranfield School of Management. After 14 years with Seagram, he moved in 2001 to Safeway UK as Head of the Wine Department. He left Safeway in 2004 to establish a wine brokering and consultancy business in the Languedoc-Roussillon.

In July 2008, he set up Vinécole, a wine school based at the impressive Domaine Gayda near Carcassonne. He became a Master of Wine in 1996 achieving the best performance in the Tasting and Vinification papers.


Click here for full conference program and registration information: http://www.frenchwinesociety.org/site.php?page=events&id=327&ver=pro