2019 Francois Ducrot 'Saint-So'

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon < France

Grapes: Cinsault

Vineyards/cellar stats: Organic farming; shallow silt and clay on limestone bedrock soils; de-stemmed/fermented in stainless steel, 6 months in tank; 13% ABV

Winemaker: François Ducrot

Located on the warm, windswept plains of southern France, Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine producing region in France.  Here, wine is prolific and historical -- the Languedoc produces about 10% of the world's wine and is believed to be the home to the original Roman vines (the oldest vines in France).  Unfortunately, over the years, the hot, arid and mostly flat plains between Narbonne and Montepellier have become known for quantity over quality.  Cooperatives, making mostly conventional 'table wine', the kind you find in French grocery stores for 3 Euro, are the main players.  But today the region is undergoing a transformation, with a few natural-leaning producers leading the charge for small-scale, quality, low-intervention wine production.  Francois Ducrot, the dynamic winemaker from Domaine Enclos de la Croix, is one of the poster boys of this movement.

A couple of years ago, Durcot realized that several talented local organic farmers in Aspiran, a 45 min drive west of Montpellier, were selling their grapes to co-ops to be mixed with other grapes in the production of bulk wine.  So François decided to buy these grapes and create a negociant project to make real wines that showcase the unique terroir of Languedoc.    Like this lovely quaffer 'Saint-So', which is glou glou Cinsault that tastes like sweet black berries and cherries mixed with layers of earthy, forest floor and licorice.  Nothing earth shattering here, just easy, delicious and honest table wine that works with just about anything you throw at it -- at an easy, honest price to match.   A perfect daily drinker.

SERVE SLIGHTLY CHILLED