France - Languedoc-Roussillon

One could also say "our Occitan wines" or "our wines from the Pays d'Oc". Although Occitania officially designates a larger territory, viticultural Languedoc corresponds roughly to the territory of ancient Septimania or the province of Narbonne. This Mediterranean region includes Gard, Hérault, Aude, Tarn, and Pyrénées-Orientales (Roussillon or French Catalonia). Although it is located west of the Rhône delta, its wines are very different from those of the Southwest, with different terroirs and grape varieties.

The Languedoc vineyard is one of the largest in the world and the first in France by surface area: 240,000 hectares. It is also the oldest, the birthplace of vines in France being in Gaillac. Located in a hot and windy climate, within a rich biodiversity, it offers a multitude of microclimates and terroirs, from schist to sandstone, including clay-limestone and molassic or alluvial soils. It also has a large number of grape varieties. To name only the indigenous varieties: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault for reds, and for whites Clairette, Bourboulenc, Maccabeu, Malvoisie, Marsanne, Mauzac, Picpoul, Rolle, Grenache Blanc or Gris, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Muscat d'Alexandrie…

It is not surprising, under these conditions, that AOC-AOP (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée/Protégée) and IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) abound in Languedoc-Roussillon, producing wines whose quality has only improved for decades — and sometimes very great wines in AOCs like Minervois-La Livinière. The region is also a specialist in natural sweet wines (Rivesaltes AOC, Maury, Banyuls) and sweet muscats (Muscats de Rivesaltes, de Frontignan, de Lunel, de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, de Mireval…). Not to mention the sparkling wines of Limoux (AOP Blanquette de Limoux, Crémant de Limoux and Limoux ancestral method).

Among the AOP and AOC for dry and still wines, the count is also impressive: AOP Languedoc (formerly Coteaux-du-Languedoc), Minervois, Corbières, La Clape, Faugères, Pic-Saint-Loup, Terrasses-du-Larzac, Saint-Chinian, Fitou, Côtes-du-Roussillon, Tautavel, Clairette-du-Languedoc, Picpoul-de-Pinet…
Languedoc-Roussillon produces white or red wines, with a predominance of reds. The latter are powerful, dense, full-bodied, and suitable for long aging, offering notes of black fruits, pepper, spices, leather, and robust tannins. A schist soil will accentuate the freshness of these red wines, while the white wines, in such a warm climate, surprise with their freshness, especially in Roussillon. They are remarkable for their balance between fruitiness, roundness, and acidity.
What are the main wine regions of Languedoc-Roussillon?
The major wine regions of Languedoc-Roussillon can be defined by their departments. In Gard, the Costières-de-Nîmes; in Hérault, the Coteaux du Languedoc; in Aude, the Corbières, Minervois, Cabardès, and Limoux; in Pyrénées-Orientales, Roussillon with the Côtes du Roussillon, Rivesaltes, Maury, Banyuls, and Collioure. Fitou, a red cru, is located on the border between Languedoc and Roussillon.
How do Languedoc red wines differ from those of other regions?
It is mainly their grape varieties that make the difference: Carignan, Syrah, and Mourvèdre give the wines a particular character that promotes their freshness and fruitiness much more than one would expect from a region with such hot summers. Languedoc red wines are full-bodied, dense, and powerful, but also balanced, fresh, and aromatic. The centuries-old know-how of the winemakers prevents them from being heavy. They generally keep very well and pair with many dishes.
Which Languedoc red wines should not be missed? The Languedoc red wines sought for their expressiveness and depth are, in Hérault, those from the Pic-Saint-Loup, Cabrières (schist soils) and Faugères appellations, particularly the Berlou cru. In Aude, the La Clape, Minervois-La Livinière, Fitou and Corbières-Boutenac appellations are recommended. In Roussillon, the Tautavel crus and the delicious red wines of Collioure. Maury, a red natural sweet wine made from Grenache Noir, is also not to be missed.
How to choose a Languedoc-Roussillon wine?
If you appreciate full-bodied red wines with substance and notes of red and black fruits, choose a cru from Faugères, Saint-Chinian, Minervois or Corbières. A red wine from Cabrières (Hérault) or Tautavel (Roussillon) will be more mineral thanks to the schist soils.

If you want a natural sweet wine, choose a Rivesaltes or a Maury. For festive bubbles, opt for a Blanquette de Limoux, which can be a white or rosé wine.

If you are looking for dry white wines, those from Côtes du Roussillon can be very great wines that have nothing to envy to the great white Burgundies. Those from Languedoc, endowed with charm and freshness, can also reach very high quality although they are less complex and slightly more acidic. The white wines of Languedoc-Roussillon have the virtue of offering a beautiful acidity without being devoid of richness and roundness.
What dishes pair with Languedoc wines?
Answer: all dishes, thanks to the viticultural diversity of Languedoc, but not with just any wine!
Generous and full-bodied reds will go very well with stewed dishes, daubes, cassoulets, roast lamb and grilled beef. And of course charcuterie and cured meats. As they age, they pair well with black truffles.
The dry white wines of Languedoc, especially Picpoul-de-Pinet and Clairette-du-Languedoc, have a lovely acidity that makes them good companions for all seafood: oysters, shellfish, crustaceans, fish, and also goat or sheep cheeses. With the white wines of Tautavel, Côtes-du-Roussillon or Corbières, the range of pairings is very wide: one can try roasted, stewed or grilled poultry, white meats, and prepared dishes.

Natural sweet wines and sweet muscats are good aperitif or after-dinner wines, but know that with age they can be savored with an entire meal. Do not reserve them for desserts, it's a bit of a shame to do "sweet on sweet" pairings. Their best pairings are well-aged cheeses and ripe fruits such as figs, peaches, melon, cherries for Maury, as well as walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts.

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Cyprès de Toi Rosé 2024
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La Sorga - Antony Tortul

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