NYTimes: Asimov on Describing Languedoc Wines

Interesting article by Eric today in the NYTimes:
Asimov:Rustic

in the difficulty he had in describing the red wines of Languedoc and the "identity" of those wines.

In particular, Eric defends his use of the term "rustic" and makes an attempt to more precisely define the term "rustic" in the context of the Languedoc reds.
Rustic is a term I often use in my TN's and sometimes am given grief by my fellow tasters in the imprecise nature of the term. Like many descriptors we use in wine, they can be imprecise to define but carry a lot of meaning. Like pornography...can't precisely define it but you sure can recognize it.

So I can hardly wait for Eric to step up to the plate & defend his use of "minerality" or "DollyParton".

Tom

That's a good article from Azimov. I know exactly what he means when he contrasts the styles of Aupilhac and Hortus. I too much prefer the sense of southerly earth, spice and herbs of the former to the dumbed down sweetness and suavity of the latter but I'm not sure about using the word "rustic" in that way.

I also think that he is also spot on in that the fame of the region is hindered by its diversity of offerings, both in the Aupilhac vs Hortus sense and also in the proliferation of IGPs and their multiple non-indigenous grape varieties (even when it does a good job with these). This is a real pity in view of the treasures to be had from estates like Mas Jullien, Aupilhac, Cal Demoura, Mas Champart.......but it has the benefit for connoisseurs of the wines' remaining affordable unlike top Bordeaux, N.Rhône and especially Burgundy.