Arrogant Frog and Elegant Frog: Old World Wines with New World Attitudes

In an exclusive wine tasting held at the elegant Le Jardin, the Arrogant Frog Winery Les Domaines Paul Mas showcased their premium selection of wines and varietals for a unique taste of their "Luxe Rural" philosophy of "everyday luxury".

At the helm of the Arrogant Frog winery is Jean-Claude Mas (L), described as a pioneer among the new wave of French winemakers. With their unique wines, Jean-Claude Mas bottles the "Luxe Rural" philosophy, constantly aiming for perfection tempered with a respect for their rural roots.

At Arrogant Frog, the efficient scale of a modern new world winery is managed with the same passion and dedication as a small old world winery. And it all begins with the terroir, where the winemaker draws inspiration from the vineyards. The terroir, combined with the climate, the varietal, and the winemaker's skill, remain the key elements in creating the Arrogant Frog's distinct wines. The Arrogant Frog manages over 550 hectares of owned vineyards, supplemented by 1,312 hectares of contracted vineyards yielding a total production output of 1,700,000 cases shipped to sixty countries in five continents.

At the Arrogant Frog Winery, the finest French and American oak barrels are used complemented by modern, state-of-the-art technology in a fusion of old and new.

One of the features that you'll immediately notice is the use of a modern screw cap instead of the traditional cork. The quality of the wine is preserved and maintained with the modern crew cap, ensuring that you enjoy a great glass of wine each and every time you open a bottle of Arrogant Frog.

But the most visible feature of the unique wines from Arrogant Frog are its simple yet elegant and quirky labels. Passion, heritage, creativity, and just a touch of humor gives this Southern French wine a distinct personality. "Labels are not just labels, they are concepts that have to be in harmony with the style of the wine in the bottle," says Jean-Claude Mas. "This is why I design labels like wines. My packaging should express what I try to demonstrate with my wines. Both styles have to be in perfect tune."

It was then time to sample the selection from Arrogant Frog, as Le Jardin served their selection of signature artisan cheeses, all made in-house.

My experience with Arrogant Frog begins with a trio of whites, the (L-R) Arrogant Frog Tutti Frutti Blanc, the Arrogant Frog Sauvignon Blanc, and the Elegant Frog Viognier. Each varietal features distinct shades of light golden hues, as well as contrasting notes.

The Arrogant Frog Tutti Frutti Blanc delivers fresh, crisp, and vibrant flavors, with complex fruity layers of passion fruit, peach, white currants and herbal notes. The Arrogant Frog Sauvignon Blanc has rich notes of grapefruit and gooseberry with a subtle smoky finish, with balanced acidity to round out the flavors. The Elegant Frog Viognier is smooth and refined, with balanced rich, fresh, and mellow flavors capped by a floral bouquet of peaches, violets, and dried fruits.

Arrogant Frog's reds were then served, with the (L-R) Arrogant Frog Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Classic, Arrogant Frog Syrah, Elegant Frog Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Arrogant Frog Tutti Frutti Rouge. The Arrogant Frog Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Classic is well-balanced with rich and smooth tannins, layered with subtle blackberry, truffle, and spicy vanilla notes. The Arrogant Frog Syrah's deep purple color delivers full-bodied and intense flavors, with ripe and floral hints in the initial sip finished with bold and spicy notes. The Elegant Frog Cabernet Sauvignon also features complex notes, with ripe fruit flavors and balanced acidity. My sampling of Southern French wines is capped by the elegantly smooth yet vibrant Arrogant Frog Tutti Frutti Rouge, soft, rich, lively yet well balanced with hints of tart red berries, ripe strawberries, spices and licorice notes.

The wide range of distinct notes from the wines of Jean-Claude Mas are refreshing and complex, bringing the unique flavors of Southern France and the rustic yet elegant notes of Languedoc in each and every bottle. It's a taste of "Luxe Rural" in every bottle, with a passion for perfection and that subtle touch of humor for a blend of old world wines with new world attitudes.

Arrogant Frog and Elegant Frog are exclusively distributed by Forth & Tay. For more information, visit their website at http://forthtay.com/ or call 828-1067 for inquiries.

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