From: Pays d’Oc, France
Varietal: Syrah
Taste: This enchanting Pays d'Oc Syrah hails from the Minervois village of Cesseras, near the Spanish border. The wine boasts a rich, dynamic, and well-sculpted profile, with fragrant aromas of river stone, bacon fat, and licorice, interwoven with dark plum, blackberry, tobacco, and coffee notes. Blue fruits are present, yet harmoniously balanced by Mediterranean olive and mineral nuances. On the palate, the wine reveals a richness and depth that belies its modest price point, exhibiting a remarkable balance without any hard edges. This Syrah will undoubtedly please both old-world and new-world wine enthusiasts.
Pairing: The Coudoulet's 2021 Syrah Pays d'Oc IGT Mediterranean red pairs exceptionally well with red meat dishes. Ideal accompaniments include leg of lamb with rosemary or various barbecue dishes such as chicken (check out the recipe below), sausages, brisket, pulled pork, and Korean BBQ. This versatile Syrah also complements pizza, tacos, burgers, grilled lamb, or eggplant. Its robust flavors and smooth finish make it an excellent match for Mediterranean cuisine, Moroccan fare, Indian curries, and Greek dishes.
One-Pot Barbecue Pork and Beans
By Ali Slagle
About. Domaine Coudoulet, a historic winery in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, has once again dazzled wine enthusiasts with their 2021 Syrah Pays d'Oc IGT. Owned by the Ournac family since 1840, the winery is now managed by Pierre-André Ournac, his son Camille, and nephew Guillaume. With Camille's global experience, having worked at wineries such as Clos des Fous, Gramercy, Oak Valley, Avignonesi, and Yealands, the family continues to deliver outstanding wines at remarkable prices.
Located in the Minervois village of Cesseras, near the Spanish border, Domaine Coudoulet boasts 94 hectares of vineyards, planted with 20 grape varieties. Over the past 15 years, the winery has replanted many traditional varieties with Syrah, Chardonnay, and Viognier. The 2021 Domaine Coudoulet Syrah is a testament to the family's commitment to excellence, offering spicy dark blackfruit flavors at an incredibly affordable price, making it the perfect wine for a BBQ.
As part of the Pays d'Oc IGT, this Syrah hails from one of France's most important wine regions. The IGT covers a vast area in southern France, encompassing five departments and offering a diverse range of terroir. With a Mediterranean climate, the region experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters, allowing for the production of high-quality wines.
The Domaine Coudoulet Syrah is grown on clay-chalk soils, and if you like this wine, you should check out the winery's top red wine, Château de Cesseras, La Livinière, as it’s predominantly made from Syrah, and a steal of a price. Pierre-André Ournac was among the first to recognize the potential of La Livinière and creates one of its finest wines. This polished Syrah embodies the warm Mediterranean spirit, with aromatics of herbs and thyme, and a rich palate featuring notes of scorched earth and macerated plums.
The Pays d'Oc IGT is renowned for its diversity, producing everything from dry white wines like Picpoul de Pinet to intense, fortified red wines such as Banyuls. The region permits 63 different grape varieties, including Mediterranean varieties like Grenache and Cinsaut, as well as internationally recognized grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
