Greybeard wrote ......

> Usually I'm stay as a lurker here, but a question for the francophiles.
>
> Just completed an annual mixed case purchase of rose for summer,
> ( 'is lordship St. H. territory). Usual purchase of Felines Jourdan and
> Lascaux (languedoc) and came across a new producer that I decided to
> try:
>
> Le Jarras, Domaine Listel, Vin de Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion.
>
> OK I've found this is the coastal strip where the Herault fronts the
> Med.
> Known as the Camargue. Anybody able to flesh this out with more detail?
> And, the grape varietal(s) is listed as "Grain de Gris". Can anyone
> expand
> on this, normal for the appellation?
> Haven't opened one yet, so no TN.


Hello bearded one - travelled through this area - just about eaten alive!

Fascinating area - this is the Rhône delta - almost dead flat - famous for
horses and red rice - and 40 species of mosquitoes which flourish in the
salt
marshes

Home to one of the largest vineyard companies in France - Les Salins du
Midi.

Traditionally one of the largest salt producers in France. Les Salins du
Midi has diversified by planting over 5,000 acres) of vineyards along the
Rhône delta coast, from Sète (southwest of Montpellier) to the mouth of the
Rhône.

Established in 1883, they were one of the few vineyards that survived the
Phylloxera fungus that decimated France in the late 1800's. It was the eco
climate of the Camargue and the periodic flooding of salt marshes that
prevented the fungus from being established on the Listel vines. Today
Listel produces 80% of the Rose wines from the Camargue on their 5,000 acre
domain and is very proud that their vines do not have any American
rootstock.

The appellation "Vin de Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion" includes a wide
range of wines from the western Camargue. The largest vineyard is the
Domaine de Jarras, located between Le Grau-du-Roi and Aigues-Mortes.

Original titled 'Gris de Gris' wine, it is now styled 'Grain de Gris' the
varieties used may be Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault.

--

st.helier