Situated north of Montpellier, some 30 kilometres from the Mediterranean, the Pic Saint Loup area covers thirteen communes on the garrigue covered foothills of the Cévennes.
At an altitude of 658 metres (2160 feet) the Pic Saint Loup, together with the 512 metre (1680 feet) high Hortus plateau, dominates the surrounding hillsides (150 metres, 500 feet). The typically Mediterranean vegetation: here the Kermes and Holm oak, Aleppo pine, arbutus or strawberry tree, juniper, thyme, bay, rosemary, rock rose all flourish, exuding the heady perfumes so typical of Pic Saint-Loup wines.
Since the earliest times, men and women have settled on this legendary land, working it and contributing to its character.
Nowadays each producer shares his knowledge with his peers; there’s a true spirit of adventure, a strong will to succeed. In mirroring the riches of the land, each wine is a tribute to this spirit, reflecting the producers’ ambition that their wine be as near perfect as possible
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Of men and women
Pic Saint-Loup wines share a true "identity" which producers strive to conserve, ensuring that each reflects the land from which it springs. There’s a real determination to work as a team in support of the common appellation.
One land, one climate, dedicated men and women. The result : wine that is recognized and recognizable.
The terroir
There are several different soil types too: hard and soft limestone, conglomerate, dolomite, limestone scree covered slopes of both fluvial and cryoclastic origin, Marl or calcareous clay; each contributes something special to the wines.
Climate really does influence the style of wines, in particular their affect on the tasting senses (the organoleptic qualities).
Records show that Pic Saint-Loup has a very predictable, specific, climate, whatever the year.
The moisture factor has a direct bearing on the vines’ development, but here the rainfall is well spaced : winter downfalls are sufficient to fill the water tables which are topped up during summer storms, so there’s little danger of severe drought.
Temperature variations can be very marked when the grapes are maturing, particularly in summer when it is hot during the daytime, but cool at night.
These variations explain what is meant by the area’s specific climate, and are strong factors in giving Pic Saint Loup wines their own individual character.
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Grape varieties
The absolute priority is to grow quality grapes. Over the past 30 years nearly all the vines have been replaced with three predominant varieties : Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. .
Grenache is particularly associated with Pic Saint Loup where it flourishes,
producing velvety rounded wines and a great deal was replanted until the 1980s. More recently, Syrah has adapted exceedingly well to the terroir, becoming a major contributor to the area’s wines thanks to its wonderful colour and its aromatic qualities, which are reminiscent of flowers (violet) and fruit (raspberries, blackcurrant); wines made with Syrah will age well.
Mourvèdre is a more temperamental grape, but one known for its noble, powerful qualities which add great structure to long lasting wines. When blended with Syrah and Grenache it produces wine that matures well and is ideal for putting down.
Two other grapes : Carignan and Cinsault, are also authorized in the appellation, adding their own special qualities to certain wines.