Searching for a decent warming red for this wet and windy summer, I found a bottle of Pic St Loup AC from the Coteaux du Languedoc - from La Bergerie de l'Hortus - and an excellent choice it was, demonstrating how powerful and well-made Languedoc wines can be.
North of Montpellier the summit of the Pic St Loup (Wolf Peak!) rises some 2000ft (658m) and dominates the landscape and provides some of the best wine-growing terrain in the whole of the Languedoc. The name "Pic St Loup" is something of a mystery - some argue that from a certain aspect the shape of the Pic looks like a howling wolf in full cry, neck extended, nose at the summit. others claim that a`giant wolf stalks the slopes in the winter guarding the dormant vines from predators - and the howling wind is actually a howling wolf! A further superstition (cleverly thought up by wine merchants probably) is that the absence of a bottle of Pic St Loup on the vignerons table will mean the wolf turns to stone and leave the vines unprotected!
The Bergerie de l'Hortus (shepherd's hut) is at Valflaunes (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon) was created as a wine domaine in 1978 by the Orliac family, where they make red wines from the tannic Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache grapes; and a few whites from Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Sauvignon Blanc.
The reds in particular get their great structure and complexity from the clayey limestone soils which are typical of the area, and the Cuvee Classique is aged in new oak casks for up to 15 months.
This is definitely a good wine area to visit and explore - Pic Wines specialises in Languedoc wines and are based in the area.
For more info on these wines - see Syndicat des Vignerons du Pic St-Loup at Maison de la Charte in St Mathieu-de-Treviers (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon)
There is a path which leads to the cross at the top of the Pic St Loup if you're feeling energetic (probably before tasting the wines!) - but beware it is a steep climb, and the limestone can be slippery when wet. However the view from the top on a fine day will be well worth the effort.You can access the path from the village of Cazevielle.
