Montpellier: winegrowers are the daily stars of the ephemeral boutique Le 10 Comédie

Durant 1 h 30, le vigneron Jean Lacauste a fait déguster trois de ses cuvées. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Open since July 25, the pop-up wine shop for sale and tasting showcases winemakers from the Montpellier metropolitan area. Zoom in on three of them.

Not a day goes by without a winemaker. This is the credo of 10 La Comédie, the ephemeral point of sale and tasting of wines from the territory of the Montpellier metropolitan area. Of the 53 winemakers who have their vineyards in this territory, 31 have committed to coming twice to present and have some of their vintages tasted. In this way, not a day goes by without a winemaker at 10 La Comédie until the shop closes on September 30.

In the heart of Montpellier

Enthusiastic about this event putting winemakers in the spotlight, Jean Lacauste, from Mas d’Arçaÿ, a wine estate located in Saint-Drézéry, could only be so on July 26, when it was his turn to host the tasting event. “It's a great opportunity for us to have this shop located at the zero point of Montpellier“, enthuses the winemaker.

Among the ten vintages he produces, he has chosen three: a white, “Jean l'effronté”, 100% Viognier in IGP Pays d'Oc, frequently awarded medals; the estate's emblematic rosé, “Le nom de la rose” in AOP Languedoc, made from Cinsault and Grenache; and a red, its top vintage, “Magelona”, an exceptional Grenache.

Three vintages that delighted two South Koreans passing through Montpellier, but also Mexicans and people from Montpellier. “Some only tasted the white, others only the rosé“, he says. However, the red and rosé sold best in the sale. In total: 6 bottles in 1.5 hours of presence. “The most important thing is that many asked us if they could come and visit the estate. It's great, because it will bring people back to the cellar."

A great showcase for winemakers

For nothing in the world would the Villa Exindrio estate, represented on July 30 by Alexia Vassail, in charge of marketing and sales, have missed the opportunity. “While the wine estate has a very long winemaking history, it was only in 2021 that Clément Veyrac and his wife took it over. So, such an operation is just perfect for us, because it allows us to promote our very young estate. And it's all the more great because we are all alone on the day we are providing the tasting,” she adds. The four vintages offered for tasting, namely a white and a rosé from their “laquo; range Les Salins », a Muscat from Mireval and a red in AOC Grés de Montpellier arouse curiosity and admiration among some visitors. The white and rosé will be the best sellers.

The next day, it is the turn of the Val des Pins cooperative winery, in Montaud, to highlight its production. This small cooperative winery (27,000 hl per year) highlights its particularity, that is, a third of its production in organic farming. Arriving with three vintages from the Le Re range (a white based on AB Souvignier Gris "Le Re nouveau" ; a red based on Cinsault "Le Re visite" ; a rosé based on Carignan "Le Re tour"), the cooperative member Fabien Diet is all smiles. Rarely indeed are cooperative cellars highlighted in such operations "while we have products as good as those made in private cellars. We are therefore delighted to participate in this shop, because it is a very beautiful showcase that allows us to make known what we know how to do", he explains. Objective achieved.

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