Welcome to Languedoc - the world's largest wine-producing region

The Languedoc – Roussillon region stretched from below Perpignan in the South West to Arles in the Rhone – one vast vineyard covering approximately 170,000 hectares of vines which represents over a third of France’s total vineyard area. New vines were planted in the 1950’s as part of a general move to produce higher quality wines (A.O.C.).

Nearly all the Languedoc wines are blended which makes it such fun finding a really good one. I hope our monthly recommendations (right) will help you to explore these wonderful wines. Dégustez – vous bien!

- Simon Charles

As far as can be discovered, the grape vine (vitis vinifera) came to the Mediterranean from Asia Minor via the Greeks and the Romans, who planted it in any land they occupied. The vine almost certainly entered France around the town of Narbonne, the first Roman capital of Gaul.

This early history was followed by a period of non-history: vines were planted, grapes were harvested and an alcoholic beverage was produced in millions of litres to be drunk by ordinary Frenchmen at their déjeuner each day (not to mention the vast quantities consumed from bottles and pichets in the crop fields from dawn to dusk). The major grapes found in Languedoc in these years were Carignan, Cencibel (Tempranillo), Mourvedre, Grenache and Syrah – not surprising when one remembers that until the middle of the 13th century, Languedoc was a part of Aragon and ruled from Barcelona. One single claim to historic fame from these years - it is recorded that 156 years before Dom Perignon claimed to have 'invented' champagne, the wine growers of Limoux, south of Carcassonne, were producing a sparkling white wine (Blanquette de Limoux) by what became known as the Methode Champenoise.

After two millennia the wines and region of Languedoc enjoyed a brief notoriety in the 19th century with the onset of Phylloxera. The tiny bug that eats the roots of native European vines was first found in 1865 in the Bouches-du-Rhone but quickly spread throughout Languedoc and the Midi. Over the next ten years it ravished all of France and virtually every vine in the country had to be uprooted, burnt, and replaced with American rootstock grafted with the original. Much of the frantic study of the phylloxera problem and its eventual cure centered on Montpellier and its excellent science schools. And since the Midi had been the first sufferer the region was the first to import large numbers of American vines as a replacement rootstock. Finally for a few years , whilst Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne were still virtually wiped out, Languedoc made a modest fortune supplying the whole of France.

Nothing more of interest occurred in the Languedoc wine area until 1948 when Fitou, between Narbonne and Perpignan, was awarded the first AOC of the Midi. Other large areas – Corbieres, Minervois, Faugeres, St Chinian – followed but hopes of competing on quality (and getting the higher prices) with Bordeaux and Burgundy were frustrated by the rigid wording of most AOC’s of the region. No single-variety wine was allowed. Only the old Spanish grapes listed above were allowed and then in regulated percentages. A very few Domaines, ageing in oak barrels and handling the production with care, could challenge the great areas.

But then in the early 1980’s far-seeing growers began planting Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignan Blanc. These wines could not legally be labelled “Minervois” etc, so they fell back on the old Vin de Pays (the Englishman’s Chateau Plonk label) and VDQS which really means Vins Délimites de Qualité Superieure but has been ridiculed as Very Dodgy Queer Stuff. Slowly, slowly, these new wines gained recognition until today the very best are challenging the best of the Haut Medoc and the Cotes d’Or. Under the label “Vin de Pays d’Oc” and a few other Vin de Pays names one can now buy Languedoc red wine equal to a Cru Bourgeois of Bordeaux.

As I write, a new Appellation d’Origine Controlée has been mooted: AOC Languedoc. In the coming months I shall be finding and reviewing the best of these Wines of Languedoc – old and new.

- Geoff Taylor

The soils and ‘terroirs’ in this huge area are very varied, from Schist, Sandstone, Marl, Gravel, Pebbles, Limestone, to Granit and Alluvial soil; thus making many marvellous and different styles of wine.

Also in this massive area are many different grape varieties, the reds include Carignon, Cinsault, Granache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The whites, Chardonnay, Granache blanc, Picpoul, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermantino, Mauzac, Chenin and Clairette.

- Simon Charles

AREA 1: St Chinean
This area of some 3200 hectares covers 20 communes. Its wines have a long and proud history dating back as far as 1300. Carignan, Granache and Cinsault are the most widely planted grape varieties, with Syrah and Mourvèdre becoming more important with increased demand for quality. The soils are Schists in the north and Limestone gravel in the south. There are so many wonderful Domaines and Vineyards to visit, it is difficult to know where to begin but the Cave Co-Operative de Roquebrun and Chateau Veyran with its Romanesque vaulted cellar would make a good start. There is also a well appointed Maison des Vins in St. Chinian which houses a ‘Bacchanalian’ feast of different St. Chinian wines, all with tasting notes and different grape varieties.
AREA 2: Faugères
Faugères covers seven villages north of Pezenas and Beziers, the vineyards are planted on steep slopes of poorly fertile schist producing a heady purple wine with tannin content and summer fruits.
AREA 3: Clairette du Languedoc
This is a white wine produced by 11 communes on the right bank of the Herault, and has a distinctive almost bitter bouquet. It is sometimes made in a ‘sherry’ style called Rancio.
AREA 4: Coteaux du Languedoc
These wines are grown in a huge area stretching from Narbonne to Nimes totalling some 168 communes, specialising in red and rosé wines (AOC Coteaux du Languedoc) with 11 special denominations of red and rosé wines, these are: La Clappe, Quatourze, Cabrieres, Montpeyroux, St. Saturnin, Pic St. Loup, St. Georges d’Orques, Les Coteaux de la Méjanelle, St. Drézéry. St. Crystol and Coteaux de Veragues and two good whites from La Clappe and Picpoul de Pinet. All these wines have been grown for centuries.
AREA 5: Blanquette de Limoux
The Monks of St. Hilaire Abbey near Limoux noticed their wine went into a second fermentation – this was in the 16th century and thus Champagne was invented long before Dom Perignon! This sparkling wine is made from the Mauzac grape and the word ‘blanquette’ comes from the white downy appearance of the underside of the vine leaves. Chardonnay and/or Chenin blanc can be added for finesse (Crèmant).
AREA 6: Côte de la Malepère
This is a commune of 31 growers around Carcassonne and Limoux. Influenced by the Atlantic, the wines both red and rosé are full bodied and fruity – blended from Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Grenache.
AREA 7: Cabardès
The wines here come from ‘terroirs’ north of Carcassonne and covers 18 communes. The wines both red and rosé are different in character due to the influence of the Med. and Atlantic in this most westerly region, and should usually be drunk while quite young.
AREA 8: Minervois
This is one of Franc’s oldest vineyards, consisting of 61 communes divided by the Ode and the Hérault. The vineyards were first planted by the Benedictine Monks in the 8th Century. The whole area is dotted with Romanesque chapels and churches; giving way to enchanting tourist routes such as the famous ancient city of Minerve etc. The wines here are mostly red but with an ever growing proportion of white and rosé. Minervois divides into many geographical and climatic differences, making it difficult to generalise the wine styles, but these tend to be lighter than the Corbière.
AREA 9: Corbière
Produces red, white and rosé wines from a mountain valley area between Lèzignan, Narbonne and Roussillon from some 87 communes. Carignan is the predominant grape variety with Syrah and Mourvédre. This wine is powerful and full bodied.
AREA 10: Fitou
This was the first red wine to receive A.O.C. status in the Languedoc in 1948 and covers 9 communes. This red wine has a wonderful deep ruby colour and is matured in casks for approximately 9 months. Dessert wines are also produced here (Muscat, Rievesaltes and Vin Doux).
AREA 11: Côtes de Roussillon / Villages
This is a very exciting area and has been growing vines from the 7th century. It comprises the most southerly vineyards in France and enjoys a Mediterranean climate. The ‘Village’ wines are well worth trying as they tend to be rich and of a high standard. The whites are light and fine – good with sea food etc., the Rosé wines tend to be full bodied and fruity as are the non-village reds.
AREA 12: Banyuls
This small region also covers Cerebère, Port Vendre and Collioure. The vine variety grown are: Grenache Noir, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Fine Port like long lasting reds are produced in steeply terraced vineyards. The rosé wine is rich and aromatic.
AREA 13: Costières de Nîmes
A lovely sunny area reaching into the Carmargue and up to the city of Nîmes, producing good quality red, white and rosé wines at sensible prices. A lot of the wine is grown on smooth pebbles which reflect the heat onto the underside of the grapes, thus ripening them.
AREA 14: Clairette de Bellegarde
This area produces a dry white wine near Nimes grown on red alpine stony soil, this wine needs to be drunk young and has a lovely almondy ripeness.
AREA 15: Muscat de Frontignan
This is one of France’s most highly regarded regions for dessert wines and Muscats. In the 1700’s Chateau d’Yquem studied Frontignan’s methods and modelled its own wine accordingly! Frontignan also makes a very good Vin Doux de Licquer.