The Lorgeril Wine Tasting Luncheon hosted by Miren de Lorgeril at Upland restaurant in New York City, provided the perfect introduction to the famed winery in the Languedoc region of France that has been producing high-quality wines since 1620. Family-owned and independent, these lovely wines express the best of the region. Tasting their delicious wines is like tasting 400 years of family history. Six wines, paired with elegantly prepared food by the Upland chef, provided the perfect balance of wine and food. Cheers and Bon Appetit!
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a special wine tasting luncheon with Miren de Lorgeril, who together with her husband, Nicolas de Lorgeril, own the prestigious Maison Lorgeril in the Languedoc region, in Southern France, which has been in Nicolas’ family for 12 generations. Nicolas is a direct heir to the Pennautier family and is the 10th generation of winemakers. For 400 years, they have remained family-run and independent. Enthusiastic and engaging, I spent several enjoyable hours with Miren and other guests learning about the history of the wines, as well as tasting them.
Over the course of the luncheon, we experienced 6 of the Lorgeril wines presented over 3 courses and learned about the 6 family estates of Château de Pennautier, Domaine de la Borie Blanche, Château de Ciffre, Mas des Montagnes, Château de Caunettes, Domaine de Garille. Interesting to note is that 8 are AOP (Protected Designation of Origin): Languedoc, Cabardès, Minervois, Minervois-la-Livinière, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Côtes du Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages. Two are IGP (Protected Geographical Indication): Pays d’Oc and Cité de Carcassonne. They own 250 hectares of vineyards and produce 10 grape varieties. Their focus is on freshness, finesse and balance combined with the high-altitude terroirs to create their unique signature.
The Menu Lorgeril Wine Tasting Lunch at Upland
Served Family Style
First Course
Little Gem Salad
Burrata
Wine Pairings
Ô de Rosé 2023, Languedoc, AOP
Ô de Rosé 2023, Languedoc, AOP
Wine Notes: 12.5% alcohol, grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Viognier. The name is a play on words with the pronunciation of the wine the same as the French word for water (eau). Miren described the philosophy behind this wine as they wanted it to be an eau de parfum of rosé. Serving temperature: 10-12 degrees Celsius/50-53.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tasting Notes: Lovely salmon color and a very aromatic nose, with expression of freshness and classical Grenache, Syrah, and Viognier. Floral, elegant, and aromatic with red fruit, dried roses, and citrus and grapefruit notes, presented in a transparent glass bottle with a glass stopper.
Mademoiselle de Pennautier 2023 Lorgeril Maison et Domaines
Mademoiselle de Pennautier 2023 Pays D’OC Famille de Lorgeril, Terroirs d’Altitude
Wine Notes: 12.5% alcohol, grape varieties: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier, 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The clay-limestone terroir is marked by the freshness of the climate around Cabardès, further enhanced by the north-facing exposure of the vines. The nighttime coolness of the high-altitude terroirs allows for gentle ripening and the most elegant expression of aromas. Harvesting during the coolest part of the night. Gentle pressing of the grapes under low pressure. Static settling at cold temperatures, protected from air exposure. Controlled fermentation at 16 degrees Celsius/60.8 degrees Fahrenheit over 3 weeks. Aging on fine lees. Serving temperature: 12 degrees Celsius/53.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tasting Notes: Clear yellow with bright green notes. Complex and delicate citrus, dried apricots, exotic fruits, floral and spice notes. Velvety long finish.
Château de Ciffre St. Chinian Terroirs d’Altitude 2020
Château de Ciffre St. Chinian Terroirs d’Altitude 2020
Wine Notes: Grape varieties: Syrah and old vines Grenache. This vineyard is located on the most eastern side of the estate, with a very nice terroir and clay on one side. Serving temperature: 18 degrees Celsius/64.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tasting Notes: Rich, dark garnet color, jammy red fruits notes on the nose, Grenache gives the wine strong and smooth tannins.
Second Course
Roasted Chicken
Seared Salmon
Wine Pairings
Borie Blanche Minervois Terroirs d’Altitude 2022
Borie Blanche Minervois Terroirs d’Altitude 2022
Wine Notes: 12.5% alcohol, grape varieties: 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre. The Minervois is a large natural amphitheater, facing due south. Between 30 and 60 km (18 and 37 miles) away from the sea, the climate is Mediterranean. The vineyards are studded with bories, stone shelters constructed by the winemakers when clearing the rocky slopes before planting the vines. The terroir is made of schist. Hand-picked from high-lying vineyards, cold maceration, partial carbonic maceration, and gentle winemaking process; fermented separately in barrels and concrete vessels and blended for maturation before bottling.
Serving Temperature: 18 degrees Celsius/64.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tasting Notes: Gorgeous, robust wine with concentrated notes of red and black fruits, terroir, and pepper notes. Powerful tannins.
Château de Ciffre Grand Vin AOP Faugères 2022
Château de Ciffre Grand Vin AOP Faugères AOP Grand Terroir de Schistes, 2022, Domaines N & M de Lorgeril
Wine Notes: 13.5% alcohol, grape varieties: 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre. Château de Ciffre has been certified organic since 2019. High Environmental Value Level 3 certification. The terroir is from the most beautiful plots on the estate. The land is composed of schist culminating at 350 meters (1,148 feet), which allows gentle maturing and the elegant expression of aromas. The older Syrah vine is picked manually. Frequent pumping-over during the fermentation to maximize skin contact, followed by cuvaison for 35 days.
Tasting Notes: Complex yet delicate aromas of truffles, and black olives. Velvety mouthfeel. Vanilla and smooth tannins.
Seasonal Vegetables – Selected by the Chef
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted Potatoes
Dessert
A Tasting Selection from the Pastry Chef
Cheesecake
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Wine Pairing
L Esprit de Pennautier 2020, AOP Carades
Esprit de Pennautier 2020, AOP Cabardes
Wine Notes: Château de Pennautier Carardes, Comte Nicolas de Lorgeril, 14.5% alcohol, grape varieties: 45% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Grenache. Estate bottling is from vineyards at high altitude and sunny exposure of the South-facing lower slopes of the Montagne Noire, between 200 and 400 meters (656 – 1,312 feet) of altitude. The soil is primarily made up of chalk. This wine is from the best part of the vineyard, where the vines are positioned on high land resulting in intense wine. Carefully selected handpicked grapes. Long maceration (25-30 days) with smooth extraction. Partial ageing (60%) in new barrels for 10 to 12 months. Wine is not filtered or clarified before bottling.
Tasting Notes: Clear ruby color, heady and elegant aromatic notes of tobacco, nutmeg, and black pepper. Red fruit and tannins on the palate.
It was a perfect afternoon of learning about, as well as appreciating the nuances and the impeccable and fascinating 400-years of history of Maison Lorgeril, L’Elegance en Languedoc (Elegance in Languedoc since 1620) perfectly paired with delectable food at Upland restaurant in New York City.
Until next time, cheers and Bon Appetit!
About Maison Lorgeril
“Since 1620, Château de Pennautier is at the heart of the history of the Languedoc wines. 12 generations succeeded one another in producing exceptional wines. Nicolas de Lorgeril and his wife, Miren de Saint Chamas, have since 1987, grown beyond the Château de Pennautier, the historic family cradle. The Company now owns 6 estates, covering 250 hectares of vines. They represent the most beautiful terroirs of the Languedoc and Roussillon and include 8 Appellations d’Origines Contrôlées (Cabardès, Minervois, Minervois-la-Livinière, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Côtes du Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Languedoc). Respect for the terroir and the environment is fundamental to the Lorgeril family’s work, with estates run under organic and integrated farming methods and certified as High Environmental Value Level 3.”
For more information on Lorgeril wines, please visit the website: www.Logeril.wine
Lorgeril Wines are imported to the United States by Albert Bichot USA
Maison Lorgeril
Château de Pennautier
2 Boulevard 11610 Pennautier
France
Website: https://www.lorgeril.wine/en/home/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maisonlorgeril/
For more information on the restaurant, please visit the Upland website: https://uplandnyc.com/
Upland Hours: The restaurant serves Lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm, Dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm, Dinner on Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm, and Sunday Dinner from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Upland
345 Park Avenue South
New York, New York 10010
United States
Telephone: + 1-212-686-1006
Email: upland.info@starr-restaurants.com
Website: https://uplandnyc.com/
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