When it comes to France, one of the best areas to seek out values from remains Languedoc-Roussillon.  The wines from this region are red blends typically made up of grenache, syrah, carignan, and mourvedre, and come packed with dense juicy fruit, slight spice, and hints of garigue (a mix of wild and scrubby sorts of herbs like thyme, lavender, rosemary and others mixed with a brushy bush flavor)  Unlike it’s expensive cousins of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Languedoc-Roussillon is significantly easier to grow grapes in, and produces are much larger volume of wine.  Lest one think that this means quality is compromised, as some producers in Languedoc, such as Mas de Daumas, create wines on par with some great Bordeauxs.

All of this is of course very fancy and complicated to those unsteeped in French wine, who are just wondering if Gerard Bertrand Languedoc 2011 is any darn good.

Sight:  Bright ruby red from edge to edge.

Smell:  Blueberries, jammy strawberry, and ripe raspberry are immediately evident, but plenty of other berries are packed into the glass.  The smell is a lot like fruit punch.  Hints of spice flirt around the edges playing the background to the large amount of fruit up front.  The nose is slightly hot.

Sip:  A medium body kicks off with a hit of black pepper and berries.  The body is very bright, an a touch volatile.  Raspberries, underripe blackberry, and spice come through with touches of green peppers.  The spices are vaguely reminiscent of gingerbread or licorice

Savor:  The ending is loaded with green and black peppercorns and bright berries.  The ending tannins are relatively easy going, and the finish is short.

Gerard Bertrand Languedoc is a bright, medium bodied red with a good amount of spice and berries.  Red fruit and berry are particularly standout with here, the combination of flavors is dependable and enjoyable.   The moderation in the body and tannins keeps it balanced looking at food pairings, making it a good candidate for poultry, stews, or pork.  If you happen to be looking for a nice French grenache / syrah blend, then Gerard Bertrand is good, balanced choice for about $10.

Verdict:  Fruit Punch, Raspberry, Berries, Spice,
Price: $10
Languedoc, France
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