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Languedoc organic wine by Gerard Bertrand
Discovering environmentally-friendly organic wine
Gérard Bertrand's strong commitment is to reconcile the production of excellent organic wines with respect for nature. A man of values and a true ambassador for environmental protection, he is now the world leader in organic wines.
Over the years, Gérard Bertrand has taken over 14 estates throughout the Languedoc-Roussillon region, helping them make the transition to cleaner production methods. Today, the gamble has paid off: all the vineyard plots have at least the AB label, and the wines brilliantly express the terroir from which they come.
What is an organic wine?
An organic wine is a wine made according to the principles of organic farming, i.e. farming without herbicides, GMOs or other chemical fertilizers. For the winemaker, this means applying these principles to the entire wine-making process, from the cultivation of the vines (viticulture) to the transformation of the grapes into wine (vinification). An organic wine is made from grapes that are themselves certified organic, along with all the additives (inputs) needed to transform the grapes into wine (yeast, fining agents, etc.).
A certified organic wine is thus produced from quality vines, using environmentally-friendly practices. Obtaining the "AB" organic label requires compliance with strict specifications laid down by the European Union (Regulation no. 203/2012). Recently, the CAB (Conversion en Agriculture Biologique) label has been introduced to identify winegrowers in the Occitanie region who have taken the step of converting their vines to organic cultivation.
To ensure the proper conduct of organic producers, independent bodies approved by the INAO (Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité) are responsible for certifying and monitoring compliance with Label specifications. These independent bodies include, for example, for Languedoc organic wines Ecocert, Certisud, Qualisud, Alpes Contrôles, etc.
However, producing a chemical-free vineyard isn't everything when it comes to making quality wine. Without human know-how, grape juice would inevitably turn to vinegar.
It's up to the winemaker, and the oenologist, to play a predominant role in the design of an organic wine.
Discover the full range and collection of organic wines of Gérard Bertrand.
What are the advantages of organic wine?
As we've just seen, producing organic wine means being more ecological, more in tune with nature, which is why Gérard Bertrand now owns more than 950 hectares of vines with the AB label or in the process of conversion.
But what are the advantages of organic wine? And how does it differ from traditional wine?
The main advantage of a quality organic wine, just like a biodynamic biodynamic wineis that it expresses the full potential of the fruit. The grape, by being respected during its development, delivers all its flavors. An AB-certified vineyard is a guarantee that the vines have been managed in a homogeneous and balanced way, with the patience of a culture that works for the plant, not for productivity at any price. With an organic wine, the development of the grapes themselves is just as important as the work carried out by man in the cellar. But let's come to the most important point of all: taste!
It is generally recognized that organic wines, when they are of the highest quality, as in the case of Gérard Bertrand's Languedoc wines, deliver finer, more delicate flavors than traditional wines. The balance of flavors is thus remarkable, with floral notes very much in evidence. One of the reasons for this balance is that this is a wine that relies less on alcohol than a traditional wine.
Another characteristic of Languedoc organic wines is their exceptional minerality. This is particularly noticeable in the wines produced by the Gérard Bertrand estates, such as at Château de l'Hospitaletan exceptional estate located in the heart of the Massif de la Clape, a limestone terroir par excellence.
The explanation for this is that untreated grapes are much more concentrated in trace elements and minerals. This is what gives the wine its mineral, fresh, almost saline flavor, particularly in white wines. As we've seen, an organic wine is one that's made by getting closer to what's essential, to its fruit and terroir. These flavors are subtle, balanced and reveal its history.
If we had to sum up, we could say that an organic wine doesn't lie, it simply expresses what it is.
And biodynamics?
We are convinced thatbiodynamic agriculture in harmony with nature is the best way to produce wines of excellence from our terroirs in the South of France. That's why we've begun converting our estates tobiodynamic agriculture at Domaine de Cigalus in 2002, and by 2023 all our vineyards will be DEMETER-certified.
Find out more about biodynamic wine in Languedoc.
Discover other types of wine:
Making rosé wine How is it made?
Find out more about :
The Gérard Bertrand wines and know-how
The biodynamics
The Châteaux and Domains of Gérard Bertrand
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