Grés de Montpellier

France · AOC · Languedoc-Roussillon

Styles

Natural factors

45 communes between the Hérault valley (west) and the Vidourle (east), forming a 60 km × 20 km rectangle centred on Montpellier. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Soils ranging from 30 to 300 m in altitude, on Tertiary conglomerates, sandstones, and molasses and alluvial terraces of rounded pebbles, as well as Cretaceous and Jurassic limestones.
Mediterranean climate: annual rainfall of 600–800 mm with a marked summer deficit; mild winters owing to proximity to the sea.
The proximity of the sea generates daily temperature swings of 11–12 °C during the ripening period and moderates summer heat peaks.
The area is sheltered from northerly winds by the first Cévennes ridges; to the north, the vineyards blend into the garrigue, bounded by the Pic Saint-Loup. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Human factors

Viticulture has been present since the Etruscan period (the Lattara winepress); recognised as a VDQS from 1950, then as AOC Languedoc with the sub-appellation Grés de Montpellier in 2003.
The term 'grés' denotes stony, pebbly soils in Occitan; growers established their syndicate in the late 1990s and introduced a syndicate bottle in 2011.

Product characteristics

Deep ruby colour, nose of red and black fruits, garrigue, spice, and tapenade, with a full palate of silky tannins.
Age-worthy wines displaying aromas of garrigue, cooked fruits, spice, and cacao, with strong ageing potential.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.