Spanning the Mediterranean coastline – from Provence to the French border with Spain – the Languedoc-Roussillon area in the South of France produces not only some of the very best, but also the most wine in the whole of France.
Though somewhat lesser-known as a wine region compared to the more famous Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon is in fact the largest in the country – and the huge range of Languedoc wine pouring out of it is some of the most exciting anywhere in the world.
Here’s your quick guide to Languedoc wine.
Quality and Quantity
Though “Languedoc” actually refers to a specific historic region in the South of France, when talking wine, Languedoc is generally combined with neighbouring Roussillon to give us the Languedoc-Roussillon region – which produces no less than one-third of all wine produced in France (equating to a staggering 5% of the wine in the world). 1.36 billion litres of Languedoc wine are produced each year – or 1.8 billion bottles.
However, it’s not just the quantities that are impressive – at least, not anymore. Though it’s true that for many years Languedoc was associated with mass-produced, low-quality wines, Languedoc wine producers have worked hard in recent years to make improvements – combining traditional methods with new, state-of-the-art techniques. Now, some of the region’s reds, whites, rosés, sweet, sparkling and organic wines are known amongst wine lovers and sommeliers around the globe as good quality wines at great value.
The Major Languedoc Wine Regions
Saint-Chinian
Located in the middle of Languedoc-Roussillon, Saint-Chinian produces a variety of red, white and rosé wines and is one of the most venerated winemaking areas in the South of France. The first vines were planted by Benedictine monks in the 8th century. Today, the key grape varieties primarily used are Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, yielding pungent vintages full of punch and personality.
Corbières
South of Saint-Chinian is Corbières, known for its production of fruity reds using Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. Covering an enormous 13,500 hectares of high-yielding vines tended by some 2,000 producers, there certainly is no shortage of wine coming from the area – and it’s well worth a sample. There’s a lot of variety to the wines being produced, due to climate variations across this expansive region – though many can be distinguished by their herby, concentrated qualities.
Faugères
A much smaller Languedoc wine region is Faugères – though no less exciting. Nestled in the hills of Herault, away from the coast and rich with schist soils, aromatic red varieties like Grenache dominate here to produce sumptuous blends with matured berry flavours and oaky, spicy notes.
Picpoul de Pinet
One that you may well have already come across, popular as it is in the British market – Picpoul de Pinet is indeed one of the most famous Languedoc whites, known for its zingy, citrusy bite and green-tinted wines. Perfect with fish and shellfish, or a light lunch on a hot summer’s day.
Limoux
Though not as famous as those of the world-renowned Champagne region, the sparkling wines that hail from Limoux are in fact of a similar style, and arguably no less delectable. Made primarily with the Mauzac grape variety, Limoux sparklers are crisp, acidic and noticeably fruity.