Winemaker Notes
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.
An extensive appellation producing a diverse selection of good quality and great values, Languedoc spans the Mediterranean coast from the Pyrenees mountains of Roussillon all the way to the Rhône Valley. Languedoc’s terrain is generally flat coastal plains, with a warm Mediterranean climate and frequent risk of drought.
Virtually every style of wine is made in this expansive region. Most dry wines are blends with varietal choice strongly influenced by the neighboring Rhône Valley. For reds and rosés, the primary grapes include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. White varieties include Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Macabéo, Clairette, Piquepoul and Bourbelenc.
International varieties are also planted in large numbers here, in particular Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The key region for sparkling wines here is Limoux, where Blanquette de Limoux is believed to have been the first sparkling wine made in France, even before Champagne. Crémant de Limoux is produced in a more modern style.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”