The beautiful Pays d'Oc region of France wraps around the Mediterranean Sea like a glove. The climate and windswept soils create ideal growing conditions for the 56 grape varieties that thrive in this region. Diversity exists. 50% of the wines are red, 30%, rose and 20% white. Known varietals are used, which make the understanding of varietals on labels an easy task.
Pays d'Oc pleases #Winelovers in numerous ways. Mainly, price and quality and a guarantee of the trace-ability of its wines. The winemakers offer their wines under recognized European quality standards, known as PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). This standard recognizes the relationship between the land and the aromatic quality of the grape varieties.
In fact, 100% of Pays d'Oc IGP wines are tasted by a committee of wine experts, in order to be certified.
The international varietals used in the wines are easily identifiable.
Red grapes used consist of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Mourvedre and Pinot Noir.
Roses are made from Cinsault, Syrah Rose and Grenache. More roses are produced in Pays d'Oc than Provence.
The white varieties used are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Muscat Sec and Vermentino.
The winemakers in Pays d'Oc have close to total freedom to make wine as they wish. That is quite unique in a country that has deep rooted rules in Burgundy, Bordeaux and Reims. Unlike those regions, which focus on specific requirements, such as barrel aging, percentage of grapes used in blends, amount of time in bottles, etc., these winemakers from Pays d'Oc IGP. master creativity in wine making on their own.
That is what makes Pays d'Oc unique. Add diversity, variety, quality and price to the formula and you have a region that makes wines specifically in the winemakers style.
The U.S.market is relatively new for the wines of Pays d'Oc, hence this 'Pays d'Oc IGP Wine Week promotion. It is a way to sample what Pays d'Oc IGP has to offer.
Twenty-five restaurants are participating in this event and each restaurant will carry a variety of wines from the region. The promotion takes place from November 2nd, through Sunday, November 8th.
For a complete list of restaurants, with contact information, visit: wwwpaysdocigpwineweek.com
The restaurants, by name are:
A.O.C. Laile ou la Cuisse
Babbalucci
Balon
Balvanera
Banc Cafe
Bar Olivino--Brooklyn
The Bounty--Brooklyn
Bread and Tulips
Cafe Lluc--Brooklyn
Cubana Cafe--Brooklyn
Edward's
Essex
Eugene and Company--Brooklyn
Fish Tag
L'Antagoniste--Brooklyn
Le Philosophe
Lighthouse--Brooklyn
Maison Harlem
Peque Vino y Tapas
Ponty Bistro
Prospect--Brooklyn
Provence en Boite--Brooklyn
Superfine--Brooklyn
Tavola
Ten Degrees
VBar Seaport
VBar St. Marks
VBar & Cafe
Westville (East)
Remember, Pays d'Oc creates wines that break the French tradition because the IGP wines offer a new generation of winemakers who focus on diversity of varietals at accessible prices. The wines are food wines that have an endless appeal to your palate, whether it is an aperitif, a food pairing or just a wine to drink on its own.
I have several favorites from the region. If the restaurant you visit offers any of the following wines, make sure that you try them, or just buy them on your own.
Gris Blanc 2014 Gerard Bertrand
La Mazet Blanc 2014 Domaine de Nizas
B&G Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Barton & Guestier
La Rousse Malbec 2014 Pierrick Harang
Figure Libre Cabernet Franc 2011 Domaine Gayda
Blanc de Brau 2014 Domaine de Brau
Villa Blanche Syrah 2014 Calmel & Joseph
Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com
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