Languedoc | 2021 vintage
The Languedoc region was not spared the challenges of the 2021 vintage, which led to lower-than-usual yields, with decreases ranging from 12% for AOC wines to 24% for PGI wines, with red wines more affected overall than whites and rosés. This results from a succession of unfavourable factors. Budburst started following abnormally high temperatures in March. Buds that had emerged were hard hit by the severe frost that effected almost all the appellations in the region at the beginning of April, with a few rare exceptions such as Faugères. The months of May to July were characterised by cool, damp weather. More summerlike conditions then helped the grapes to ripen properly. The longer-than-usual ripening period also allowed the berries to retain good levels of acidity overall.
Accustomed to producing full-bodied red wines, Languedoc found a different balance in this 2021 vintage, with softer tannins and juicier textures. The wines are characterised by finesse and freshness, and offer considerable pleasure in their youth, particularly in the Languedoc, Saint-Chinian and Faugères appellations. Less opulent than previous vintages, they prove easy to digest and elegant.
The white wines are perhaps the most surprising. The wines, with their fine levels of acidity, display very interesting aromatic profiles, full of vitality and sparkle. Their lively, balanced and fresh character will delight enthusiasts for the coming years.
