Arrogant Frog Chardonnay 2011
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Jean-Claude Mas, first-generation winemaker, fourth generation grape grower, and owner of Les Domaines Paul Mas, is a leader in fine winemaking in the Languedoc region of Southern France. Since taking the helm of the family winery in 2000, he has prioritized sourcing the highest quality grapes from twelve privately-owned estates and premier growers in the Languedoc to make wines of authenticity and refinement. The result is a collection of charming wines that burst forward with the warmth and stunning beauty of the region. Within just a few years of its launch, Arrogant Frog has become the mascot of all the Paul Mas estates. Jean-Claude has shown that with creativity, expertise, and humor, the wines of the Languedoc find eager drinkers across the globe. Arrogant Frog wines are a perfect representation of Les Domaines Paul Mas’ philosophy of “Le luxe rural,” rural luxury. Château Arrogant Frog encompasses 20 hectares of vineyards in Grand Cru Limoux, 15 of which are organically farmed and five are certified Terra Vitis. The vineyards sit at 200 meters elevation and are rooted in stony limestone-clay soils of the prestigious AOP Limoux and IGP Pays d’Oc. They face north in a heavily maritime-influenced area of the region. The grapes are hand-harvested while the vines are pruned using the Guyot simple and Cordon de Royat methods. Despite their Old World roots, Arrogant Frog wines will appeal to more New World palates with fresh, bright fruit and unique varietal character.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A small category representing the wines that either fall outside of appellation lines or don’t subscribe to the law and traditions set forth by the French government within certain classified appellations, “Vin De France” is a catch-all that includes some of the most basic French wines as well as those of superior quality. The category includes large production, value-driven wines. It also includes some that were made with a great deal of creativity, diligence and talent by those who desire to make wine outside of governmental restrictions. These used to be called Vin de Table (table wine) but were renamed to compete with other European countries' wines of similar quality.