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The Quality & Diversity of Languedoc Roussillon Wines

Languedoc Roussillon – great wines, good value, many styles

In a region flooded by the sun and swept by headwinds the Languedoc Roussillon benefits from Mediterranean influences. There are many wine regions and no two wines are alike, except for one ancient, unerring common factor: the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyards of the Languedoc Roussillon extend to the foot of the massifs of the mountains in the north, and to the Pyrenees all the way to the Spanish border in the south. The area is so large that there is a great diversity of terroir, each with their specific soils, climates and grape varieties. The harmonious combination of natural components makes for unique wines.

The wine producing region of Languedoc Roussillon is enormous. It is the largest in France in terms of size covering 204,000 ha and a production accounting for over a third of the overall French production and 5% of global wine production.  The vinous wealth of the Languedoc Roussillon equates to an incredibly diverse range of wines and styles from big tannic reds to delicate sparkling wines, and from rich dessert wines to aromatic still whites and rosés and offer great value too.

The best known wines include those of Fitou, Minervois, Corbieres and Limoux for years and increasingly other names such as Cabardes, an appellation since 1999 & Picpoul de Pinet, one of the smallest but very well known in France. Look out also for Montpeyroux, Terrasses de Larzac, Caramany and wines from lesser known grape varieties including Marselan.

The backbone of most of the red wines are the grape varieties of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre producing robust full flavoured wines and often consistently produced by efficient co-operatives. Smaller producers such as Calmel & Joseph work with many growers seeking out those whose fruit is of high quality throughout the Languedoc Roussillon. Their work has gained them recognition as they were recently awarded the accolade of Négociant of the Year in France.

Katie Jones, the driving force behind Domaine Jones based in Tuchan in the Languedoc took the plunge in 2008 and bought a vineyard here in the Languedoc after working in the wine trade in the region for years. She has since acquired several very small remote vineyards growing old traditional varieties including Carignan Gris, Macabeu and ‘hairy Grenache’ making distinctive delicious wines!

Another well known producer with a long established reputation for quality wine is Chapoutier with wines such as the Marius Vermentino which is refreshing and fruity with lovely notes of ripe fruit, enhanced by a clean acidity. It was Marius who put the Chapoutier name firmly on the Rhône Valley map in the early 20th century and established its reputation for quality as far afield as America. The wine reflects the warmth of the southern France terroirs in which they are rooted. Chapoutier are biodynamic pioneers from the Rhône Valley

Inland, the gentle rolling hills of Limoux are home to vines producing the very enjoyable quality sparkling wines such as Cremant de Limoux  from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.

It is renowned as the most innovative wine region in France so well worth a try…