Gerard Bertrand
Education and Tasting Session on Gérard Bertrand Wines & Languedoc, France
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Attended a seminar and tasting of Languedoc-Roussillon wine region and tasting of various wines from Gérard Bertrand Thursday evening. The event was held at Vinum55 in Scottsdale. Reed was the main presenter from a local distributor. She was extremely knowledgeable about the region and specifically the wines being poured.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Also assisting in the presentation was Vinum’s own Shelly Fitzgerald, Wine Director at Vinum55 and assisting a newly hired person from Gérard Bertrand Wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Gérard Bertrand Wines produces roughly 20 million cases of wine! While many are on the lower end commercial side, the winery produces some boutique and artisan wines of distinction. Lauren selected some unique wines from several of their sites throughout the region for the group to enjoy.
Map courtesy of AFG
Wines selected were:
*2023 Crémant de Limoux sparkling consisting of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir grape varieties. Priced at $33/bottle.
*2023 Castellum Sauvignon Blanc. Priced at $44/bottle.
*2024 Domain de L’Aigle Chardonnay. Priced at $43/bottle.
*2022 Close du Temple Rosé. This won the distinction as the Best Rosé in the World! It consisted of GSM and Cinsault grape varieties. Priced at $220/bottle.
*2022 Cigalus Rouge. This was a combination of eight wine varieties: Merlot, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Caladoc, Carignan and Mourvèdre. Priced at $52/bottle.
And for the final wine of the evening was 2018 Clos d’ Ora that was rated 98 points and consisting of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Priced at $254/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
My personal favorite and scoring highest (on my rating system) was the sparkling Crémant de Limoux.
Very much enjoyed getting more familiar with the region as so many others are much more well known in France. The intriguing quality of wine knowledge is that the glass is bottomless!
Slainte,
Michael Kelly