Mas Pas Re Sur le Pouce 2023

Mas Pas Re represents the collaborative vision of Julien Trichard and Sara Hernandez, a dynamic duo who have established themselves as passionate advocates for natural winemaking in the Languedoc region of southern France. Based in Vendémian, their project embodies the modern spirit of French natural wine, combining traditional techniques with innovative approaches to create authentic expressions of their Mediterranean terroir.

The estate operates from a renovated cooperative cellar in Vendémian, which the couple acquired and transformed into their winemaking headquarters. This choice reflects their practical approach to establishing their domain while respecting the agricultural heritage of the region. Their decision to revitalize an existing structure rather than build new demonstrates both environmental consciousness and a connection to the area's viticultural history.

Mas Pas Re's vineyard holdings are strategically distributed across two distinct communes, each offering unique terroir characteristics. Part of their vineyards is situated in Gignac, positioned in the heart of the garrigue—the wild Mediterranean scrubland that defines much of the Languedoc landscape. This location provides their vines with the intense aromatics and mineral complexity that comes from growing among wild herbs, lavender, and native Mediterranean vegetation.

The remainder of their vineyard parcels is located several kilometers away in the commune of Plaissan. This geographical diversity allows Julien and Sara to work with different soil types and microclimates, providing them with a broader palette of expressions from which to craft their wines. The varied terroir contributes to the complexity and distinctiveness of their final blends.

The vineyard management reflects their commitment to working in harmony with nature. The estate has been restructured thoughtfully while preserving a majority of old vines, recognizing that mature root systems contribute significantly to wine quality and terroir expression. These older plantings provide the depth and complexity that younger vines cannot achieve, forming the backbone of their most compelling cuvées.

Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine-producing region in France, located along the Mediterranean coast in the south of the country. The region extends from the Spanish border in the west to the Rhône River delta in the east, covering approximately 240,000 hectares of vineyards. The region is now officially designated as Occitanie, though the wine areas retain their historical names of Languedoc and Roussillon.

The climate is predominantly Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The region receives approximately 300 days of sunshine annually. The Tramontane wind from the northwest and the Marin wind from the Mediterranean influence vineyard conditions. Rainfall averages 500-600mm per year, concentrated primarily in spring and autumn.

The geography varies considerably across the region. Coastal plains near the Mediterranean transition to hillside vineyards and mountainous terrain inland. The Corbières, Minervois, and Pic Saint-Loup areas feature elevated vineyard sites. Soil types include limestone, schist, clay, galets roulés (rounded pebbles), and sandstone depending on location.

Red grape varieties dominate plantings in Languedoc-Roussillon. Carignan historically covered large areas and remains significant, particularly from old vines. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault are widely planted. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown in certain areas. White varieties include Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino (locally called Rolle), Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Viognier. Macabeu is important in Roussillon.

The region contains numerous appellations. Major AOCs include Corbières, Minervois, Fitou, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Pic Saint-Loup, Terrasses du Larzac, and Côtes du Roussillon. Limoux produces sparkling Blanquette de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux. Banyuls and Maury are known for vin doux naturel, fortified sweet wines made primarily from Grenache. The regional Languedoc AOC allows blending across sub-regions.

Historically, Languedoc-Roussillon focused on bulk wine production for the French market. Phylloxera devastated vineyards in the late 19th century, followed by replanting with high-yielding varieties. The region supplied large quantities of table wine throughout the 20th century. Beginning in the 1980s, focus shifted toward quality production with lower yields and better grape varieties.

The region has become significant for natural wine production over the past two decades. Many producers farm organically or biodynamically and practice minimal intervention winemaking. Estates like Les Petites Mises represent this approach with old-vine Carignan and traditional varieties vinified without additives or sulfites.

Wine styles range from light, fruity reds to structured, age-worthy wines from hillside sites. White wines include fresh, aromatic styles and fuller-bodied expressions. Rosé production is substantial, particularly near the coast. The diversity of terroirs, grape varieties, and winemaking approaches produces a wide range of wines from Languedoc-Roussillon.

The region's combination of favorable climate, diverse soils, old vines, and innovative winemakers has established Languedoc-Roussillon as an important source of both traditional and natural wines from southern France.