A Name To Know: Gérard Bertrand

Photo Credit: Jill Barth

When I visited the Languedoc for the first time, it was with the name Gérard Bertrand fresh in my mind.

I’d had the opportunity to read about Bertrand’s work and my friend had mentioned, more than once, the outstanding Festival de Jazz à l’Hospitalet that happens on the property each July.

As a writer with a biodynamics beat, Bertrand was on my radar as a leader in the field. Bertrand’s network includes Cigalus, the Aigle Estate, the Clos du Temple, Château La Sauvageonne, Château l’Hospitalet, Château des Karantes, Château Tarailhan, Château Aigues Vives, Château des Deux Rocs and Château de la Soujeole — all in compliance with Demeter Biodynamic® Farm and Processing Standards.

Bertrand has significant reach a stone’s throw from major hotspots in Herault and Aude: Carcassonne, Narbonne and Montpellier. Esteemed appellations such as Limoux, Corbiers and Minervois are represented by Gérard Bertrand.

South of France landscape in Minervois. Photo Credit: Jill Barth

Excellence, Innovation, Nature and Conviviality are the Bertrand philosophies. I’ve had the opportunity to taste several Gérard Bertand wines (some media samples, some purchased) and have teased out these themes from the stories behind these bottles.

Excellence: Terroir Minervois represents, to me, one of the finest growing regions in the Languedoc. Included in this relatively large appellation is
La Livinière, one of the distinguished Languedoc crus.

Innovation: Perles De Sauvignon (as well as several other bottles, Cotes de Rose comes to minds) has intricate bottle details that set it aside from others on the shelf.

Nature: Expressed in Cigalus Blanc, as all vineyard functions are carried out in accordance with the moon and the sun under the guidance of the celestial calendar.

Conviviality: There’s something about Terroir Picpoul De Pinet that brings people together. Picpoul is a variety that everyone loves (even if they don’t know it yet) and it is great with summer foods to share. More coverage of this wine here.

Scaling the region, Gérard Bertrand vineyards are located in some the Languedoc’s most esteemed appellations. Map Courtesy Gérard Bertrand.

More on Gérard Bertrand

Growing Enthusiasm For Organic And Biodynamic Products At 2019 Millésime Bio Wine Fair in Forbes

Languedoc Wines Are What To Drink On Fourth Of July in Forbes

1 Wine, 3 Ways: A New Way To Look At Rosé in Forbes

5 wines to drink instead of rosé in USA Today

It’s Time for Languedoc Wines on L’Occasion

Mediterranean Bliss: Picpoul-de-Pinet on L’Occasion

Cigualus Blanc, chilled on a summer evening, is perfect with grilled shrimp and veggies. Photo Credit: Jill Barth

The French Winophiles

You’re invited!

More about the 18  May 2019 French #Winophiles  Tasting with Gérard Bertrand Wines can be found here.

Here’s what you need to know (from our host, LM Archer):

What: Eclectic International food & wine pairings and discussion featuring Gérard Bertrand Wines 2018 Cigalus Blanc Biodyamic wine from IGP Aude Hauterive.
Where: LIVE Twitter Chat: #winophiles @GBvins
When: Saturday, May 18th, 2019 from 11 a – 12 n EST
Who: The French #Winophiles Tasting Group & YOU
Why: Find out more about internationally acclaimed biodynamic wine producer and former soccer star Gérard Bertrand, and try out a few tasty food and wine pairings !

Twitter account for the Gérard Bertrand Wines is: @GBvins

Twitter account for Gérard Bertrand himself is: @GerardBertrandO

The Instagram account is : @gerardbertrandwines

Cigalus Blanc from Gérard Bertrand is a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Biodynamic. Photo Credit: Jill Barth

Here’s who’s coming from French #Winophiles:

Michelle Williams – Rockin Red Blog: “Celebrating Biodynamic Viticulture And The Beauty Of The Languedoc With Gérard Bertrand #Winophiles”

Lynn Gowdy – Savor the Harvest: “This Biodynamic Wine Is a Summer Pleaser + Saturday Culinary Concoction.“

Wendy Klik- A Day in the Life on a Farm :  ” New Wine Paired with an Old Favorite.”

Camilla Mann – Culinary Adventures with Camilla: “Lemon-Caper Halibut + Gérard Bertrand 2018 Cigalus Blanc”

Linda Whipple, My Full Wine Glass : “Languedoc Wine Meets Lebanese Cuisine” 

David Crowley – Cooking Chat: “Savoring a Special White Wine from Souther France”

Pinny Tam – Chinese Food and Wine Pairings: “Exploring Languedoc-Roussillon with Chateau Millegrand Minervois Mourral Grand Reserve + Chinese Charcuterie Board #Winophiles”

Robin Bell Renken – Crushed Grape Chronicles, “Exploring the Grand Terroir of Gérard Bertrand with Tautavel and La Clape“

Jeff Burrows – Food, Wine, Click: “Butter Roasted Fish with Gérard Bertrand’s Cigalus Blanc”

Jane Niemeyer – Always Ravenous: Chicken Korma with Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc”

Cindy Lowe Rynning – Grape Experiences: “The Wines of Gerard Bertrand: Expect Joie de Vivre with Every Sip”

Susannah Gold – Avvinare: “A Wine from Gerard Bertrand: A Larger than Life Figure”

Deanna Kang – Asian Test Kitchen:  “Gerard Bertrand Rose Paired with Subtly Spiced Shrimp”

Cynthia  Howson & Pierre Ly – Traveling Wine Profs: “Comfort Food and Sunny Red: Gérard Bertrand Côtes des Roses with Senegalese Mafé and Fonio”

Jill Barth – L’Occasion: “A Name To Know: Gérard Bertrand”

Gwendolyn Lawrence Alley – Wine Predator:”Bertrand’s Biodynamic Cigalus Paired with French Sausage”

Liz Barrett – What’s in that Bottle: “Get to Know the Winning Wines from Languedoc Icon Gérard Bertrand”

Nicole Ruiz Hudson –  SommsTable: “Cooking to the Wine: Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel Grenache-Syrah-Carignan with Saucy Lamb Loin Chops”

Rupal Desai Shankar – Syrah Queen: “A Commitment To Languedoc – The Biodynamic Wines Of Gerard Bertrand”

Payal Vora, Keep the Peas: “Aude: Alive in More Ways Than Wine”

L.M. Archer: “The Hedonistic Taster: Gérard Bertrand 2018 Cigalus Blanc”

Some of the wines appearing on L’Occasion are media samples. All opinions are our own and we are never paid to feature any product. Totally independent.