THE CYRANO SELECTION
We specialise in Languedoc and Southern Côtes du Rhône wines with exceptional fidelity to terroir and value for money.
Together these two regions cover an arch of wine growing areas from the Pyrenees to the river Rhône, west to east, and from the foothills of the southern Massif Central to Mediterranean coastline, north to south.
Languedoc is, in fact, the largest single wine production area in the world, producing 5% of the world’s wine and as much as the total production of Australia or 1.3billion litres. In the last 30 years, the quality of the wines of Languedoc has flourished and is home to many innovative and dedicated young vignerons. The better known Southern Côtes de Rhône, reputed for its red wines as far back as the Roman occupation, also has a number of young inspiring winemakers to be discovered by Australian wine lovers.
These two regions have in common a Mediterranean climate with various microclimates and noticeable soil differences which produce an array of different styles. We have selected our wineries to showcase this variety. Additionally, we look for producers who practice low environmental impact viticulture either through sustainable agriculture or full Organic certification. We also favor wine making process with minimum technological input (indigenous fermentation, less filtration, minimum sulfites, etc).
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All our wines are from small to medium producers with whom we have exclusive rights to Australia.
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LE TERROIR
Every vine grows on a unique piece of land which gives the grapes a distinctive character. "Terroir" is derived from the French word for land and it refers to the unique combination of natural factors associated with any particular vineyard.
Terroir includes such factors as soil, underlying rock, altitude, the slope of hill or terrain, orientation toward the sun, and microclimate (typical rain, winds, humidity, temperature variations, etc.). French wines are classified according to Terroir, which combined with specific local viticulture and vinification techniques, is the basis for the system of French geographical indications.
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The French wines classification divides wines into three categories: .
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Appellation d’Origine Controlée (AOC) or its European equivalent AOP/PDO (Appellation d’Origine Protégée/Protected Designation of Origin). AOC designates a particular area or Terroir (see map) which carries with it many other strict restrictions, such as grape varieties and traditional winemaking methods.
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for example our Joseph 2014 AOC Pic St Loup or our Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge 2016.
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Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP), or Protected Geographical Indication. IGP carries with it a specific region within France (for example IGP Cevennes) and is subject to less restrictive regulations than AOC, as it allows producers to plant a wider range of varieties and use the winemaking techniques of their choice as long as the wine meets certain criteria when subject to official analysis.
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For example our Picoti Picota 2016 IGP Cotes de Thau Rosé.
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Vin de France (Wine of France), carries with it only the producer and the designation that it is from France.
THE REGION
