Calmel and Joseph: wines without artifice, representative of the Languedoc region

Laurent Calmel grew up around the Mediterranean. This versatile wine consultant has traveled the world, working in many wine-producing countries including Chile, Australia, Argentina, Moldova, and the United States. Upon returning to his homeland, he met Jérôme Joseph, who was leading a small wine trading house in Languedoc. Their meeting in 2007 marked a turning point in both their careers.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did Laurent Calmel and Jérôme Joseph come together?

From global experiences to local expertise

We realized we had a lot in common: a love for Mediterranean wines and a desire to highlight the Languedoc-Roussillon vineyard,

Laurent recalls.

How does the trading house work?

Crafting unique Languedoc wines together

This new friendship sparked a joint project: creating a trading house to promote the richness and uniqueness of Languedoc wines. Thus began the Calmel et Joseph adventure. Over the years, Laurent and Jérôme established partnerships with carefully selected Languedoc producers, where they source grapes, age the wines in their cellars, and blend them with harvests from other producers within the same terroir.

In essence, Calmel et Joseph operates differently from a cooperative winery.

We work with 2 or 3 winemakers per wine. Our goal is to make parcel selections to separate the vines and achieve very precise and atypical wines with consistency from year to year. This is why we always work with the same producers,

explains Jérôme.

Although Laurent and Jérôme do not focus on organic certification or other labels, they emphasize high-quality grapes.

We prioritize winemakers who use the least amount of pesticides possible. Their grapes must have taste and personality,

they note.

What do the wines represent?

Showcasing Languedoc's terroirs

Today, Calmel et Joseph stands out in several key Languedoc appellations: Corbières, Côtes du Roussillon, Faugères, Minervois, and more.

The Languedoc vineyard offers an impressive range of terroirs, whether in plains, hills, or at altitude. We draw from this variety to best represent what we envision as a Languedoc wine,

Laurent elaborates.

Featuring iconic Languedoc grape varieties (Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, etc.) and divided into five distinct ranges, Calmel et Joseph wines adhere to three essential criteria: "freshness, finesse, and elegance."

We closely monitor the winemaking process. We aim to support the wine rather than alter it. If there’s a defect, we intervene, but otherwise, we let nature take its course,

they add.

Why did they decide to acquire their own vineyard?

Expanding horizons in AOC Corbières

Initially, the two wine experts did not intend to acquire a vineyard, as it would have introduced too many constraints and geographical restrictions. However, nearly a decade later, Laurent and Jérôme ventured into winemaking by acquiring a vineyard in the northern part of the AOC Corbières, just ten minutes from Carcassonne.

The estate features 20 hectares of organically grown vines planted at an altitude of 250 meters.

We enjoy an exceptional setting with significant biodiversity. We are surrounded by thyme, olive trees, lavender… it’s like Tuscany!

Laurent exclaims.

Jérôme and Laurent aim to leverage this idyllic setting to develop their oenotourism activities: horseback riding, hiking trails, and more. These activities will complement the four fully renovated cottages surrounding Domaine Calmel et Joseph, offering visitors a complete immersion in Languedoc, with wine tastings included.

Wine is about pleasure and discovery. When you open a bottle, you never know what you’re going to get!

summarizes Laurent, whose philosophy, reminiscent of a famous line from Forrest Gump, leaves one dreaming…

Discover the wines of Calmel et Joseph directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Calmel et Joseph

Who are Laurent Calmel and Jérôme Joseph?

Two wine men brought together in 2007 by a shared love of the Mediterranean. Laurent, a wine consultant who worked across several producing countries, and Jérôme, from the Languedoc wine trade, combined their skills to build a house in their own image.

How does the Calmel et Joseph house work?

Unlike a cooperative, it partners with two or three growers chosen for each wine, works plot by plot and follows every vat closely. The aim is a consistent style from one vintage to the next, always with the same trusted producers.

Which grapes and appellations does Calmel et Joseph use?

The range draws on the Languedoc's leading grapes, chiefly carignan, grenache and syrah. They appear across about ten appellations such as Corbières, Minervois, Faugères and Côtes du Roussillon.

Is the Corbières estate farmed organically?

Yes. The estate bought in the northern part of the Corbières AOC covers twenty hectares planted at 250 metres and worked under organic farming. Thyme, olive trees and lavender surround the vines, just minutes from Carcassonne.

What style defines Calmel et Joseph wines?

Three markers guide every cuvée: freshness, elegance and finesse. The pair supports the winemaking rather than reshaping it, letting the grape and its terroir speak before any technique.