Wine region of Languedoc-Roussillon
As the sun shines down on the Languedoc-Roussillon region, its vineyards thrive. The area is famous for red wines, made mostly with Grenache and Syrah grapes. But don’t overlook one of their white wines: Picpoul de Pinet. Made from Picpoul grapes, this wine is light and refreshing and pairs perfectly with seafood. It’s also a great summertime choice if you’re looking for an alternative to your favorite Sauvignon Blanc.
The most important appellation in this region is AOC Corbières. Spread out over more than 20 villages, these vineyards produce about a third of all the wine in Languedoc-Roussillon. One of their top labels is Grand Veneur; it makes some of France’s best Côte du Rhône wines.
Location and appellations
Location and appellations
This is the part of France where the grapes grow. This region covers a fair amount of ground, so you can expect to find a wide variety of wines here, some good and some bad. Here are some important ones to know about:
- AOC Corbières: Big reds from Carignan and Grenache. These wines have had less time to age than most other corbières, so they’re more affordable (but still taste great).
- Côtes de Roussillon Villages: Excellent reds from syrah and grenache, as well as white wines from viognier that are best enjoyed young. Great for everyday drinking with friends or family!
Viticulture and grape varieties
I, the reader, am new to wine and would like to learn how to make a good red and white wine.
To begin, let’s look at the grape varieties above. Red wines are made from grapes like carignan, grenache, syrah or cinsault. White wines are made from varieties like marsanne, morrone or vermentino. As for red and white wine grapes in France (the nation where I live), here’s a brief on my country’s viticulture industry:
- Languedoc-Roussillon is home to 1/3 of all French vineyards (one of which is our own winery in Dawson City).
- Carignan and grenache are considered the main grape varieties for red wines produced in Languedoc-Roussillon because they have a low alcoholic content that is low enough for young people to drink but high enough for those over 50 years old. Grenache grapes tend to be more bitter than carignan grapes; carignan has more flowery aromas with a hint of blackcurrant tastes associated with it. Cinsault tends to have an aroma with notes of blueberry or raspberry; its taste isn’t as fruity as it is woody because it has been fermented inside wood barrels rather than open vats (vineyard fermentation). Syrah has an aroma that can be peppery depending on how long the winemaker lets it ferment before bottling; its flavor has notes of raisin and olives when uncorked immediately after being picked whereas its flavor mellows after aging several months in oak barrels while maturing into deeper flavors such as plum marmalade
History of viticulture in Languedoc-Roussillon
We’re going to start with a brief history of viticulture in this region. If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like to read about the storied history of viticulture in France, feel free to skip ahead.
The modern wine industry in Languedoc-Roussillon is built on a long history of winemaking that stretches back over 2000 years. The Greeks first planted vines here and gave their wine the name “Oc,” which is reflected in the region’s name (Languedoc literally translates to “language of Oc”). The Romans later expanded upon these efforts by building infrastructure and preparing plantations for sustained production. During the Middle Ages, Roussillon was part of Spain and its wines were traded under the name “Rossello.” In 1659, both regions became French territory (Roussillon through a treaty and Languedoc through conquest), and their wines came to be known collectively as “Vins du Midi” (wines from the south). By 1789, Languedoc-Roussillon was producing more wine than any other area in France, including Bordeaux. This trend continued throughout much of the 19th century as cheap labor allowed for increased wages between vignerons—the people who make wine—and merchants who sold it abroad at high prices
Famous wines from Languedoc-Roussillon
- Rivesaltes. This popular dessert wine is made from Grenache, Black Muscat, Macabeu and Grenache Gris grapes. Aged in oak casks for at least 6 years, this wine has a pale, golden color with notes of vanilla, honey and nuts.
- Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC. Although certain wines in the region are still made using traditional methods—such as picking by hand—this one allots a greater amount of freedom to the vintners than some other regions do. With its more relaxed regulations about grape varieties and yields, it’s no surprise that Côtes du Roussillon Villages is so diverse in flavor and style.
France’s most productive wine region has long been a source of value wines.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is France’s most productive wine-growing area, and has long been a source of value wines—both red, white and rosé. It is located on the Mediterranean coast between Provence to the east and Spain (the adjacent Roussillon region) to its south. The climate here is warm, which explains why dry whites and rosés are so dominant in this region.
Wines from here are known for being at the more affordable end of the spectrum; however, they have traditionally had something of a reputation as low-quality jug wines. That image is changing, with producers making more high-end wines in recent years, including many that bear an appellation name such as Côtes du Roussillon or Corbières. In addition to AOC wines there are also IGP designs called Vin de Pays d’Oc (meaning “of Occitan country”), while Vins de France are also produced here.