Agricultural cooperatives in France are numerous and influential. Not least in the wine business. In Languedoc almost 2/3 of the surface planted with vines are owned by wine growers belonging to a cooperative. This means 150,000 hectares and 15,000 cooperative wine growers. Every year the cooperatives compete with their wines in a prestigious competition held in March. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the best wines.
The wines that have won gold medals go on to another competition called Coup de Coeur de Femmes Journalistes (Female journalists’ favourites). The 2015 edition of the Coup de Coeur was held in early June and these were the winners:
- Red wine: Cuvée Roche Fourcade, IGP Cévennes Blanc 2013 Les Terrasses Cevenoles à Saint Hippolyte du Fort, 5.90 EUR
- Rosé wine: Syrah Rosé Cuvée M, IGP Pays d’Oc 2014, Les Vignobles de Montagnac, 3.90 EUR
- White wine: Cuvée Latude, AOC Languedoc-Pézenas 2013, Les Vignerons de Fontes, La Fontésole à Fontes, 10.45 EUR
- Vin Doux Naturel: Cuvée Haute Coutume, Vin doux naturel AOC Rivesaltes Ambré 1988, Les Vignerons Catalans à Perpignan, 19.90 EUR
The female part of the BKWine is sometimes part of the jury, but not this year.
