Domaines Paul Mas was founded in 1892. The current owner, Jean Claude Mas, is undoubtedly the pioneer in the Languedoc's revival as a region for quality wines. He characterizes his wines as "Le Ruxe Rural," meaning rural luxury. Using international grape varieties, he has given the Languedoc "new world" allure. He has also made the local character of this region fashionable again among wine lovers. The Languedoc is France's largest wine region, stretching along the Mediterranean coast from the Rhône to the Pyrenees. Eighty percent of France's IGP wines are produced here. The Languedoc is considered France's testing ground for winemaking that caters to the tastes of modern consumers.
The Vermentino grapes come from various vineyards around Limoux in the Languedoc region. The climate in this vineyard is Mediterranean, but the altitude (150-250 meters) and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean provide the necessary cooling. The soil is calcareous with a sandy texture and is locally highly siliceous. To achieve the highest quality wine, the grapes are harvested partly manually and partly mechanically at night to prevent oxidation. After harvesting, the grapes undergo a four-hour maceration at ten degrees Celsius. The juice is then fermented at sixteen to eighteen degrees Celsius for three weeks. Finally, the wine is aged for another three months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.
This allows all the beautiful flavors of the Vermentino grape to shine. On the nose, this white wine has hints of apricot, pear, and rose. The palate is enchanting, soft, and fresh with abundant fruit nuances.
