The Salagou Cœur d’Hérault wine list highlights “a golden triangle of beautiful terroirs”

100 cuvées dégustées pour cinq trophées d'excellence. Midi Libre – JEROME MOUILLOT

A gauche, la cheffe Annett Teich, marraine du Palmarès. Midi Libre – JEROME MOUILLOT

Le sommelier Pierre Vila Palleja. Midi Libre – JEROME MOUILLOT

Les trophées signés Armando de Lima. Midi Libre – JEROME MOUILLOT

The event was held at the Château de Malmont, in Villeneuvette. Midi Free – JEROME MOUILLOT

For its first edition, the Prize list of wines, cuvées Salagou Coeur d’Hérault, kept its promises. Sponsors of the event, head sommelier Pierre Vila Palleja and Annett Teich, chef of the BK restaurant in Montagnac, give their view on this first Palmarès in Clermontais.

The idea matured for a long time before finally being able to reap the fruits. Imagined by the Com com du Clermontais, the first edition of the Wine Awards, Salagou Coeur d’Hérault vintages, was held on Tuesday in Villeneuvette, in the winemaking setting of Château de Malmont. In the running, no less than a hundred vintages for, at the end of the tasting, fifteen selected and five ’Excellence Trophies", (luckily) chosen hand-picked.*

Very good years to come

So, what to remember from these first vintages ? "You should know that this sector is one of the best for the great reds of the Mediterranean. I had already experienced it, and it was true. They manage to shine in the wine category of immediate pleasure, you need easy wines, but also in that of wines for great aging and, the wines that we release there, are good examples. They are definitely in the right category. This confirms that this sector is a bit of a golden triangle of beautiful terroirs, winegrowers who want to be meticulous…", savor  Pierre Vila Palleja, sponsor of the initiative, considered one of the best sommeliers in France. And the winners often come from indigenous grape varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah, "we see that endemic grape varieties which have developed in somewhat extreme conditions adapt. This is a very good sign" Without forgetting the winemaking talent, the progress in both the "wine knowledge& ;nbsp;oenological which means that winegrowers have many more levers than in the past. This bodes well for very good years for the sector."

A true singularity

A prize list which also allows us to highlight the character and local identity. Because between more technical wines and local wines, the winemaking quintessence of the territory is expressed there to the fullest of taste buds. "I favor a local wine. Some wines smell intensely of fruit or wood, when a wine first smells of the rock on which the vine grows, then we say to ourselves that there is something there. This may be more divisive, but these are sincere, frank tastes. This expresses a real singularity. I prefer to favor wines that have a strong identity, through a winemaker who wishes to express true uniqueness in a place. Our favorite is clearly in this vein. It’is a wine for great aging and gastronomy" An authentic vintage, frank without being clumsy, far from more technical wines which recall, a little, < em>"the ideal son-in-law who did everything right. The one who was in the first row in class, but who, in the end, is a bit annoying, says the head sommelier.

A land and pioneers

As for gastronomy, chef Annett Teich, patron of the Palmarès, analyzes that, among the selection, "several atypical wines are very interesting for cooking. There are typical local wines but also atypical things. I find that it is good to also promote these atypical wines, to support winegrowers who have the courage to offer something else" In fine, like As Claude Revel, president of the CCC, underlined, the objective of the Palmarès is to support the wine industry. Moreover, Annett Teich, will be VRP of Clermontais, "we will become an ambassador for the results of the competition. And I also noted wines, which perhaps will not be selected by the jury but which are very interesting for gastronomic tables because they allow a much wider range. I will learn about these areas and communicate on this as well. We have the terroir but we have even more than the terroir: the vision, the leadership, those who are pioneers, those who take risks. We need to encourage it, it’s important.

In short, an "In" can hide an "off" track record.

The 2024 Palmarès

The five trophies of excellence.

RoséTrophy for the Fulcrand Cabanon 2023 vintage from Cave L’Estabel. (Cabrières)

White Trophy for the Viognier 2023 vintage from Domaine Bois Bories (Clermont).

Jury's Favorite Trophy for the Hussard Noir 2019 vintage from Domaine de l’Aster. (Peret).

Trophy Rouge fond for the Garriga 2022 vintage from Domaine Souyris Vins (Saint-Felix-de-Lodez).

Red guard trophy for the Garric 2020 vintage from Domaine de L’Argenteille (Saint-Felix-de-Lodez).

LES LAURÉATS DU PALMARÈS 2024 : Cuvée Ros& oacute; de Clermont 2023 from the Clermont cooperative cellar, Cuvée Prieuré Saint-Hippolyte 2023 from Cave de Fontès – Terroirs des Grands Rosés, Cuvée Gewurztraminer 2022 from Bastide des Songes, Cuvée Cantagrive "Cuvée Elise" 2023 from Mas René Guilhem, Cuvée Navis 21 2021 from MAS D’AGALIS, Cuvée Deoteria 2019 from Clos Romain, Cuvée Les Secrets du Rocher 2020 from Domaine de L’Argenteille, Cuvé eacute;e Here as elsewhere 2022 from Clochers et Terroirs, Cuvée Terroir Rouge 2022 from Mas Caoudou, Cuvée Voltiges 2017 from Mas de Valbrune.

I subscribe to read more