2008 Rene Rostaing Coteaux du Languedoc Puech Noble Blanc

Domaine Rene Rostaing is a 20-acre estate in the Cote Rotie and Condrieu, in France’s Rhone Valley, and it is considered something of a cult Rhone producer. Having learned winemaking from his father-in-law and uncle, both legendary Rhone Valley wine producers, Rene Rostaing made his first independent cuvees in 1971. After the retirement of his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux, and his uncle, Marius Gentaz-Dervieux, Rostaing acquired their old vine vineyards, which are some of the finest holdings in the Cote-Rotie. About a decade ago Rostaing also purchased property in the Coteaux du Languedoc near Nimes. Rostaing’s wines are made in the classic tradition of the area. His various Cote Roties typically earn high marks from critics. Besides his Syrah-based reds, he makes a Viognier.

Languedoc-Roussillon is very large wine-producing region in south and southwestern France extending along the Mediterranean coast from northern Spain to the Rhone Valley. It includes more than 800,000 vineyard acres and numerous appellations, nearly all created since the mid-20th century. Languedoc-Roussillon produces one-third of all the wine made in France and it long had a reputation for quantity over quality. In the last few decades, however, outside investors and some long-time local producers have greatly improved vineyard practices and winemaking. The result is that Languedoc-Roussillon is now home to many entrepreneurially-minded producers highly focused on quality, and it enjoys a buzz among wine buyers looking for well-crafted, robust wines offered at excellent values. The most successfully grown red grapes are the traditional Rhone varietals of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah, though Carignan and Cinsault are also planted. The intense sun and dry weather makes it tougher to grow white grapes, though Chardonnay and some other white grapes are often successful. Chardonnay is used for the popular sparkling wine Crémant de Limoux, a Languedoc-Roussillon appellation created in 1990.