Pic Saint Loup wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

The Pic Saint-Loup appellation extends across 17 communes in the north-east of the Hérault department, with two further communes just across the border in Gard, at the foot of the first Cévennes foothills, about thirty kilometres north of Montpellier and the Mediterranean coast. The vineyards are set around the limestone massif of Pic Saint-Loup, on soils of hard and soft limestone, dolomite, limestone scree and marl, which combine good drainage with the ability to retain moisture. The climate blends Mediterranean influence with a cooler, more continental character shaped by the nearby Cévennes relief: summers are hot and dry, winters colder and wetter, and late-summer days and nights show marked temperature swings. The authorized grape varieties are syrah, grenache and mourvèdre as the main varieties, complemented by cinsault, carignan, counoise and morrastel. No white wine is produced under this appellation, which stands apart from other Languedoc crus through this cooler, wetter climate.

The wines of this appellation

Pic Saint-Loup produces mainly red wines, alongside a smaller output of rosé; no white wine is made under the appellation. The reds, blended from syrah, grenache and mourvèdre, show a deep colour and a firm tannic structure. Their aromatic profile combines red and black fruit such as blackcurrant and blackberry with notes of garrigue, thyme and sweet spice, which evolve with age toward leather and, in barrel-aged wines, toward toasted and vanilla notes. These are wines built for cellaring. The rosés stand out for their freshness and aromas of strawberry and raspberry, carried by a fruity, well-balanced palate. The reds pair naturally with red meats, game, lamb and matured cheeses, while the rosés suit Mediterranean cuisine, grilled dishes and charcuterie.