Actors in the sector and wine lovers met on February 16 and 17 at the Florès cellar in Florensac (Hérault) to select the best cuvées from the cooperatives of all the territories of the region, whether in bulk or packaged .
This competition honors the women and men who are, on a daily basis, the artisans of the diversity and quality of the wines of the cooperative cellars of Occitanie. Fabien Castelbou, president of the Territorial Committee of Hérault – Occitanie Winegrowers Cooperators, recalled the interest of cooperatives in obtaining medals early in the season, in particular for white and rosé wines. This allows them to enhance their marketing by quickly displaying these awards on the bottles. Thus, to meet the expectations of wineries and their commercial needs, the date of the Occitanie Cooperation wine competition has been brought forward for the second consecutive year to mid-February.
This year, 630 bulk or packaged cuvées were presented by 75 cooperative cellars. 130 people took part in the tasting sessions on February 16 and 17 at the Florès cellar in Florensac, including players in the sector, wine lovers as well as 2nd year BTSA viticulture oenology students from the Lycée Charlemagne in Carcassonne and from DNO from the University of Pharmacy of Montpellier took part in the tastings on Friday 17 February. 95 cuvées received a gold medal, including several from Gard cellars.
The Pazac Grands Vins de Meynes winery has received several gold medals: Le Pigeonnier – Costières de Nîmes AOP – White 2022, Le Pigeonnier – Costières de Nîmes AOP – Rosé 2022, Le Pigeonnier – Costières de Nîmes AOP – Red 2022, Miraculous Fountain – Costières de Nîmes AOP – Red, Château Fornier de Clausonne – Costières de Nîmes AOP – Red 2021.
The gold medal-winning wines will be able to participate in the selection of the “Coup de coeur de femmes” which will take place at the end of May in the Gard. To find all the winners of the wine cooperation competition, click here.
Stephanie Marin