This Monday, June 6th, marks the launch of the Sud de France Festival in New York. The month-long festival, now in its third year, encourages attendees to experience the spirit of the Mediterranean lifestyle, complete with fine wine, foods and entertainment from the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It allows people the opportunity to learn more about the culture and specialties of the region through a convivial approach of tastings and experimentation, all at exciting venues with welcoming ambiance and alongside local winemakers and artists.

For a region with so much to offer, the concept behind the annual festival couldn’t be more appropriate. Check out some more of the event details here. But, this is an area of France that, despite being the largest wine-producing region in the world, many people are not familiar with and certainly would have difficulty differentiating between the various AOCs.

Producers and promoters of the region are optimistic that the new classification system agreed upon in August 2010 (read our article here) will help to clear things up for many consumers. Rankings based on familiar buzz words like Grand Cru and Grand Vin will hopefully provide a bit more insight and value to the wines of each appellation, prompting consumers to learn more about their favorites.

But there’s little better to help people form connections with new wines than having them taste for themselves. Add to that the food and cultural elements of the Sud de France way of life and it’s almost like being transported to the region itself, idyllic Mediterranean lifestyle and all. The greater association between a wine and its sense of place helps consumers to feel comfortable since they understand where it is coming from, what it’s made of, the kind of people who produce it and why they enjoy drinking it.

Many of the wines are fantastic, and the options to try them are plentiful throughout the festival at various events and tastings at venues of all types. Visit festival-suddefrance.com for more information or browse the full schedule of events here.

Also be sure to check out reviews for wines from the South of France in our Buying Guide at buyingguide.winemag.com or by clicking here.

Are you currently familiar with any Sud de France (Languedoc-Roussillon) wines? Which are your faves now, or what are you hoping to discover from the region in the future? What part of the festival sounds the best to you?

Every year, the CIVL (The Conseil Interprofessionel des Vins du Languedoc) organizes the Languedoc Ambassador Wine Tour, a trade and media tasting designed to promote the great diversity and superb quality of AOC wines found in the Languedoc wine region. This year is no exception, with fantastic wines announced today as the official CIVL Ambassador Wines of 2011.

It’s fantastic exposure for an oft-overlooked region. The wines will be served at organized events throughout the country, including Washington DC, Chicago and San Francisco. In addition, several owners and winemakers  attend the events, providing additional information and insight into the area and its beautiful wine bounty to attendees as their products are sampled. It’s an experience that’s second only to actually visiting the wineries in France.

This year excites me more than previous years, as the newly established hierarchy of appellations will truly be put to the test as we see how people respond to the new organization of classifications. For a recap of the changes, check out my article on it. Will the Cru system resonate with consumers? Will it help buyers to sort through the numerous regions and sub-appellations, finally bringing some clarity to the labels and what people should expect from the wines?

I hope so. I’ve been reviewing the wines of the region for the magazine for four years now, and although I’ve seen overall interest in the wines rise, it has not yet soared to the peaks that I believe the wines merit and have the potential for. In a wine culture currently hot on interesting varieties and rising star regions, Languedoc has potential to grab the spotlight; the wines are unique, high quality and frequently available at ridiculously reasonable prices.

This concept is the Languedoc in a nutshell. Of course, there are exceptions and outliers, as there always will be, and let’s keep in mind that I’m not talking about the Vin de Pays/IGP offerings. But the Languedoc AOC options – be it just AOC Languedoc, Grand Vins du Languedoc or Grand Crus du Languedoc – are largely excellent wines at extremely reasonable retail.

So here’s to the hope that the 2011 Ambassadors will open the eyes of consumers to their region. Based on the list of winners (many of which are reviewed in our Buying Guide), I’d be shocked if they didn’t.

The 2011 Ambassadors are:

AOC Languedoc:
Château des Karantes – Blanc – Languedoc –2009
Plan de L’Homme – Sapiens – Blanc – Languedoc – 2009
Vignobles Gilles Louvet – Rouge – Languedoc –2009
Jeanjean en Languedoc – Devois des Agneaux – Rouge – Languedoc – 2008

Grands Vins du Languedoc:
Vignobles Gilles Louvet – Esprit du Sud – Blanquette de Limoux NV
Bernard Delmas – Blanquette de Limoux – 2007
Domaine de Félines Jourdan – Blanc – Picpoul de Pinet – 2009
Mont Tauch – L’Ancien Comté – Blanc – Corbières – 2009
Castelmaure – Col des Vents – Rouge – Corbières – 2008
Château Ollieux Romanis – Classique – Rouge – Corbières – 2009
Domaine de Fenouillet – Réserve – Rouge – Faugères – 2006
Château du Donjon – Rosé – Minervois – 2009
Château Sainte Eulalie – Printemps d’Eulalie – Rosé – Minervois – 2010
Château de Paraza – Cuvée Speciale – Rouge – Minervois – 2007
Vignoble du Loup Blanc – Mère Grand – Rouge – Minervois – 2007
Château La Dournie – Cuvée Elise – Rouge – Saint Chinian – 2008
Domaine la Madura – Grand Vin – Rouge – Saint Chinian – 2007
Château Saint Bauléry – Rouge – Saint Chinian – 2009
Clos du Gravillas – Douce Providence – Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois – 2007
Les Vignerons de la Méditerranée – Les Petits Grains – Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois NV

Grands Crus du Languedoc:
Château Rives Blanques – Dédicace – Blanc – Limoux – 2008
Château Rives Blanques – Odyssée – Blanc – Limoux – 2009
Château Sainte Eulalie – La Cantilène – Rouge – Minervois la Livinière – 2008
Gérard Bertrand – Le Viala – Rouge – Minervois la Livinière – 2007
Gérard Bertrand – La Forge – Rouge – Corbières Boutenac – 2007
Château Ollieux Romanis – Atal Sia – Rouge – Corbières Boutenac – 2008
Château des Karantes – Diamant – Rouge – La Clape – 2006
Mas du Soleilla – Les Bartelles – Rouge – La Clape – 2008
Château de Lancyre – Coste d’Aleyrac – Rouge – Pic Saint Loup – 2008
Château du Lancyre – Vielles Vignes – Rouge – Pic Saint Loup – 2008
Domaine la Croix Chaptal – Les Terrasses – Rouge – Terrasses du Larzac – 2007

What do you think about the list? If you’ve had any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Or what other producer or appellation you would have liked to see included?

One of my favorite things to come out of the rise and proliferation of social media is the online or synchronized tasting. Whether it’s for wine, beer or spirits, online tastings have become one of the best ways to share the same bottle and informative experience with hundreds or even thousands of people simultaneously all over the world. Through the use of networking sites like Facebook and Twitter as well as personal blogs and organizational sites, people can share comments and opinions about a beverage and learn from participating representatives or producers all from the comfort of their home. Aside from being there one on one with the respective producer, what could be better than that?

And for the “sponsoring” producer, region or organization, what could be better than spreading the word on your product to all those people simultaneously, engaging them in conversation, soliciting their opinions and offering up additional information when required. Strong word of mouth is undeniably influential, especially when it comes to shopping and trying brands outside the mainstream. Especially when it comes to wine recommendations.

So, to kick off the summer, I decided to participate in a synchronized worldwide tasting organized by the folks at Sud de France in celebration of their 4th anniversary. Sud de France is a wonderful concept, acting as an umbrella brand for wine and food products from Languedoc-Roussillon. With over 30 appellations and 60 Vin de Pays situated within the region, there is obviously more than they could ever show with just one online tasting. However, the concept for this event was simply to offer an idea as to the breadth and diversity of the wines the region has to offer. As a fan of the region and the reviewer of the wines for the magazine, I couldn’t have been happier to participate and help spread the word about the bountiful offerings of the region.

Here were my impressions of the five wines selected for the synchronized tasting.

Sieur d’Arques NV Grande Cuvée 1531 Brut (Crémant de Limoux); $16, 12%.
Extremely pale yellow in color with delicate, fine bubble carbonation dancing up through the middle of the glass. The nose offers soft citrus (like pink grapefruit rind) alongside notes of Granny Smith apple and hints of yeast and yellow florals. The mouth is creamy and full with well-balanced acidity and a brisk lemony citrus character leading through to the clean finish. At about $16, this is an excellent value sparkler for brunch or casual bubbly with friends.

Gérard Bertrand 2008 Cigalus (Vin de Pays d’Oc); $30, 13.5%.
Composed of 75% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, this is a beautiful wine from former rugby player turned rockstar vigneron Gérard Bertrand. The nose screams of Chardonnay goodness, with aromas of wood-grilled red apples, peach pit and butter-toasted almonds. After you get over that, the other components of the blend start to come in (the Viognier and Sauv Blanc) to liven things up with nuanced white floral notes (reminiscent to me of gardenia) and a suggestion of tropical acidity. Medium-light weight with full ripe apple and orange oil flavors, and toast coming through strong on the finish. Well-balanced and very enjoyable, this is a complex and very food-friendly wine that offers a higher-end VdP experience than I’m sure most people (unfortunately) haven’t yet had.

Vignerons Catalans NV Fruité Catalan Rosé (Côtes du Roussillon); $12, 13%.
Deep color for a rosé, like a true strawberry. The assertive bouquet offers plenty of small red berries and suggestions of strawberries and cream. It has a touch of sweetness to it, as though there was some simple syrup mixed in there with all those berries. The mouth is light and fresh with a ton of red cherry flavors and a hint of sweet spice in the background. Balanced and fruit-forward for sure, this rosé would be a great choice for the upcoming hot summer days to pair with lighter fare such as grilled chicken salad.

Domaine Dromadaire 30670 2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc; $12, 13%.
Wow… this pours impressively: opaque and almost black in color, like really dark prune juice. The nose is loaded with black fruit, including cherry, plum and berry, supported by some black olive and pepper flecks in the background. Moderately tannic and austere with a firm structure and more of that dark black fruit holding it all together. Leather, licorice and a touch of oak in the form of ground cocoa nibs appear on the finish. Balanced and big with plenty of fruit and spice for lovers of both. A superb value, indeed.

Mas de Madame 2006 Muscat de Frontignan; $17, 15.5%.
This wine is immediately attractive in the glass, with that nice, very typical nose of musky sweetness. Lovely aromas of mushy peach, honeysuckle and orange marmalade citrus are all very enticing, luring you in to a promisingly sweet experience. The mouth is a touch viscous and weighty, but the acidity livens up the ripe, lingering honeyed flavors. Apricot pit and dried orange rind drizzled with clover honey round out the finish. Well balanced, clean and easy to drink. A lovely choice for dessert, but just give me a nice chunk of blue cheese to go with it and I’m as happy as could be.

All in all, I think Sud de France did an excellent job of showing off the diverse selections the region has to offer. Even if they were all not my personal preference (though they did a darn good job nailing almost all five as such), the experience certainly showed some folks that there’s more to the region than what you might have tasted before, and with a little knowledge and adventure you can find some superb wines at excellent values.

To see what other people thought about the tasting, use the Twitter hashtag #SudDeFrance or #WorldTastingSync or check out the event’s website here and check out articles and comments on the tasting here.

What do you think about synchronized online tastings? Do you find them fun and informative like me, or would you rather just taste alone? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the subject!