Languedoc Roussillon, France wine region

Welcome to the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region – a land of sun-soaked vineyards that have been quietly crafting some of the most exciting wines in the world. With over 700,000 acres planted, it’s the single largest wine-producing region on the planet, offering an unmatched array of varietals and styles.

What sets Languedoc-Roussillon apart is not just its volume, but its creativity and innovation in winemaking. From refreshing and crisp whites like Picpoul de Pinet to robust and hearty reds from the slate soils of Priorat, each wine reflects the region’s rich diversity.

But perhaps the real charm lies in its surprises – in Languedoc-Roussillon, expect to discover hidden gems like the sparkling wines of Limoux, claimed to predate even Champagne. Or the sweet, fortified vins doux naturels of Rivesaltes, the perfect dessert accompaniment.

A journey to Languedoc-Roussillon is a passport to an open secret – an adventure into a world where tradition marries innovation, and where every bottle tells a story of the land and its passionate winemakers. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and discover the next big thing in wine before anyone else.

So why wait? The vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon, with their sun-drenched grapes and the magical transformation into exquisite wines, are a pilgrimage any wine lover must make. It’s not just a wine region, it’s a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Your wine adventure starts here. Welcome to Languedoc-Roussillon.

Languedoc Roussillon wine map

Nestled between the south of the Massif Central and the warm Mediterranean coast, the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of Southern France is one of the oldest and largest wine-producing areas in the world. Renowned for its rich diversity in wine styles, Languedoc-Roussillon is a sprawling canvas of vineyards, boasting a winemaking history that dates back to the Pliocene period.

Historically, the Greeks planted the first vineyards in Languedoc-Roussillon around 5th Century BC, introducing viticulture to the region. The Romans, upon their arrival, not only improved upon the existing vineyard practices but also expanded wine production significantly. Over centuries, the region earned a reputation for producing high volumes of everyday table wine, often seen as a powerhouse of French wine production.

It was not until the late 20th century that Languedoc-Roussillon underwent a significant transformation, shifting its focus from quantity to quality. As part of this renaissance, winemakers started to embrace the diverse terroir and unique grape varieties of the region, making way for an exciting array of high-quality wines that truly reflected the character of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Today, the Languedoc-Roussillon region spans across 700,000 acres and is divided into several appellations, each with its distinctive characteristics. From the bold reds of the Corbières appellation to the light, sparkling wines of Limoux, the variety is truly expansive. This region is home to a wide range of grape varieties, with the most prevalent ones being Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan for reds, and Chardonnay, Mauzac, and Picpoul for whites.

The region is characterized by its diverse microclimates, varied soil types, and consistent sunshine, all of which contribute to the creation of distinct, complex, and enjoyable wines. Languedoc-Roussillon, with its deep roots in the past and eyes firmly set on the future, is a fascinating blend of old-world traditions and innovative winemaking, truly a paradise for every wine lover.

Unique places to visit in the Languedoc Roussillon wine region

Beyond its impressive wineries, the Languedoc-Roussillon region offers a myriad of remarkable sights and attractions, reflecting the area’s rich history, unique culture, and stunning natural landscapes. Each of these destinations provides its own unique experience, enhancing your visit to the Languedoc-Roussillon region with a taste of its rich heritage, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant local culture. Here are some of the most popular and unique places to visit:

Carcassonne: This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most iconic locations in Languedoc-Roussillon. It is a perfectly preserved medieval city, complete with a castle, drawbridges, and fortified walls, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

Montpellier: The capital of the region, Montpellier is a dynamic city that elegantly combines old and new. Its medieval old town, known as the Ecusson, is a maze of winding, narrow streets filled with charming boutiques and cafes. The city is also home to several museums and beautiful public gardens.

Nîmes: Known as the ‘French Rome,’ Nîmes boasts several well-preserved Roman structures, including an amphitheater and the Maison Carrée, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in existence.

Canal du Midi: This engineering marvel, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, stretches from Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea. Whether you choose to cycle along its towpaths, or navigate its tranquil waters, the Canal du Midi offers an idyllic perspective of the southern French countryside.

Pont du Gard: This is another Roman relic and UNESCO World Heritage site. An aqueduct bridge that is almost 2000 years old, Pont du Gard is an engineering marvel and a testament to the architectural prowess of the Romans.

The Cévennes National Park: This rugged and beautiful park offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and bird-watching. Its diverse landscapes range from vast plateaus to deep gorges, and its rich biodiversity includes over 2400 species of plants and animals.

The Camargue: This natural region located between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhône River is home to a unique ecosystem. It’s famous for its pink flamingos, white horses, and black bulls. The Camargue offers birdwatching, horse riding, and beautiful beaches.

Collioure: This picturesque seaside town was a favorite of artists such as Matisse and Derain. With its vibrant colors, medieval castle, and lighthouse converted into a church, Collioure is a feast for the eyes.

Gorges du Tarn: This stunning canyon, carved by the Tarn River, offers exceptional scenery and numerous activities, from canoeing and rafting to rock-climbing and hiking.

The Pyrenees Mountains: On the southern border of the region, the French Pyrenees offer breathtaking landscapes and outdoor activities year-round, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to hiking and mountain biking in the summer.

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Popular wines of Languedoc Roussillon

Each of the wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region carries its distinct personality, reflecting the diverse terroir from where they hail. They serve as delicious liquid ambassadors of the region, conveying the sense of place, or “terroir,” in each sip. This is the charm of Languedoc-Roussillon – its ability to produce such a broad spectrum of wine styles, each with its own unique expression.

Corbières AOC Red: This robust red wine, primarily made from Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan, offers a medley of ripe red and black fruit flavors, accented by Mediterranean herbs and spices. It’s known for its solid structure and long finish.

Picpoul de Pinet AOC: An incredibly fresh and vibrant white wine, Picpoul de Pinet is renowned for its high acidity, citrus fruit flavors, and a subtle saline quality – a perfect pairing with oysters and seafood.

Minervois AOC Red: Crafted mainly from Syrah and Mourvèdre, Minervois red wines are deeply colored and full-bodied, featuring flavors of dark fruits, leather, and spice. They often exhibit great structure and ageability.

Saint-Chinian AOC Red: This red wine showcases the elegance of Languedoc’s reds. Usually a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, it offers a delicate balance of ripe fruit, earthy undertones, and silky tannins.

Limoux AOC Sparkling: The home of sparkling wine, Limoux produces the delightful Blanquette de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux. These wines are notable for their fresh apple, pear, and citrus notes, complemented by brioche and honey undertones and a lively effervescence.

Banyuls AOC: A lusciously sweet fortified wine primarily made from Grenache, Banyuls is full of rich, ripe dark fruit flavors with chocolate and coffee nuances. It’s typically served with chocolate and dessert courses.

Rivesaltes AOC: This is another fortified sweet wine region, producing vins doux naturels from various grape varieties. Rivesaltes wines can range from fresh and fruity to aged and nutty, providing an extraordinary tasting journey.

The Languedoc-Roussillon region is renowned for the breadth and diversity of its wine production. The wide range of microclimates and soil types, coupled with ample sunshine, allows this region to produce an impressive variety of wine categories. Here are the key categories of wine you can find in Languedoc-Roussillon:

Red Wine: The majority of the wine produced in Languedoc-Roussillon is red. Known for their deep, rich colors and expressive fruit flavors, the red wines are primarily made from Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan grapes. They can range from medium-bodied and fruity to full-bodied and complex, particularly those from appellations like Corbières, Minervois, and Coteaux du Languedoc.

White Wine: While not as prominent as red, white wine from Languedoc-Roussillon has gained attention for its quality and diversity. Made from grapes like Chardonnay, Picpoul, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Mauzac, these wines can be aromatic and fresh or rich and full-bodied. The Picpoul de Pinet is a noteworthy white wine from the region known for its crisp acidity and refreshing citrus flavors.

Rosé Wine: Languedoc-Roussillon produces a significant amount of rosé, especially from the Côtes de Thau and the wider Pays d’Oc IGP. These rosé wines are often fresh, fruity, and perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Sparkling Wine: The region is also the birthplace of sparkling wine, with the appellation of Limoux reputedly producing sparkling wines before even Champagne. The Blanquette de Limoux, made predominantly from Mauzac, is known for its apple and honey characteristics. In contrast, the Crémant de Limoux, made from Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, offers more traditional sparkling wine flavors.

Fortified Wine: Languedoc-Roussillon is home to some of the world’s finest vin doux naturels, a type of fortified sweet wine. Made primarily from Muscat and Grenache, these wines from areas like Rivesaltes and Banyuls can be found in various styles – from fresh and floral to rich and nutty.

Languedoc Roussillon Wine Taste Notes & Flavors

Embarking on a tasting journey through the wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon region is a captivating experience, as diverse and enchanting as the landscapes from which the wines originate. The region’s warm Mediterranean climate, varied soil types, and the passion of its winemakers have given rise to a cornucopia of wines, each bearing distinctive characteristics.

Red Wines

Starting with the red wines, expect robust and expressive offerings. Reds from appellations like Corbières, Minervois, or Saint-Chinian, often made from Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, are typically deep in color with generous fruit aromas, spice notes, and well-structured tannins. These wines can offer a fascinating complexity, marrying dark fruit flavors with undertones of herbs, leather, or even cocoa.

White Wines

The white wines of the region, while less prevalent than the reds, are equally captivating. Wines such as the Picpoul de Pinet are renowned for their crisp acidity and invigorating freshness. Expect bright, clean citrus notes, a touch of minerality, and often a hint of saline quality, making these wines an excellent partner for seafood dishes.

Rose Wines

Languedoc-Roussillon’s rosé wines are typically fresh and easy-drinking. Primarily produced from Grenache and Cinsault, these wines often offer a lovely balance of red fruit flavors, like strawberries and red cherries, complemented by a refreshing acidity.

Sparkling Wines

As for the region’s sparkling wines, specifically those from Limoux, they are known for their vivacious effervescence. Whether it’s the more traditional Blanquette de Limoux or the Crémant de Limoux, anticipate flavors of green apple, pear, and citrus, coupled with toasty or creamy notes, especially in aged examples.

Fortified Sweet Wines

Finally, the fortified sweet wines, such as those from Banyuls or Rivesaltes, offer a decadent tasting experience. From the refreshing and fruit-forward Muscat de Rivesaltes to the rich and complex aged Grenache-based Banyuls, these wines typically burst with flavors of ripe or dried fruits, honey, nuts, and spices.

When tasting wines from Languedoc-Roussillon, keep in mind that this region is a tapestry of microclimates and terroirs, each leaving its imprint on the wine. Hence, while there are common characteristics, expect to encounter a delightful range of expressions, each telling the story of its origin. It’s this diversity that makes tasting Languedoc-Roussillon wines such an exciting and rewarding experience.

Grape Varieties of Languedoc Roussillon wines

Languedoc-Roussillon is a diverse wine region that cultivates an impressive variety of grape varieties. The region’s warm Mediterranean climate, varied terroir, and diverse microclimates allow for the successful cultivation of many different types of grapes. Here are some of the most important grape varieties that give Languedoc-Roussillon wines their distinctive style:

Syrah: This grape is known for producing full-bodied, richly flavored wines with notes of dark fruits, pepper, and sometimes gamey nuances. It’s often blended with other varieties but can also produce impressive single varietal wines.

Grenache: As one of the most widely planted grapes in the region, Grenache is the backbone of many red and rosé wines. It brings warmth and fruitiness to the wines, contributing flavors of red fruits like strawberry and raspberry, along with spice notes.

Carignan: This variety is a traditional grape in Languedoc-Roussillon, producing deeply colored, high tannin wines with flavors of plum and berry fruits, often used in blends with Grenache and Syrah.

Mourvèdre: This grape is often used in blends, imparting structure, dark fruit flavors, and a certain meaty character to the wines. It thrives in the region’s warm climate.

Cinsault: Primarily used in rosé wines or as a blending grape in reds, Cinsault adds softness and bouquet, with fresh strawberry and cherry flavors.

Picpoul: This is the star white grape of the region, known for producing the fresh and zesty Picpoul de Pinet. The wines exhibit high acidity, citrus fruit flavors, and often a distinct saline note.

Marsanne and Roussanne: These two grapes are often blended together to produce rich and aromatic white wines. They bring flavors of peach, pear, and herbs, along with a full body and sometimes a hint of nuttiness.

Chardonnay: Outside of its native Burgundy, Chardonnay has found a successful home in Languedoc, where it’s used for still white wines and also in the traditional-method sparkling wines of Limoux.

Mauzac: This indigenous variety is the primary grape in the sparkling wines of Limoux, particularly in Blanquette de Limoux. It lends apple and pear flavors to the wines.

Muscat: There are several types of Muscat grown in the region, primarily used for the vin doux naturels. They impart a distinctive grapey flavor, along with floral and stone fruit notes.

These grape varieties, whether alone or blended together, are key to creating the diverse array of distinctive wines that Languedoc-Roussillon is renowned for. Their adaptability to the region’s varied climates and soils allows for a wide range of expressions, ensuring a wine to suit every palate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Languedoc Roussillon wine region

What is the best time to visit Languedoc-Roussillon?

The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit for wine tourism would be late spring or early autumn when the weather is pleasant, and the vineyards are at their most beautiful.
What is the most famous wine from Languedoc-Roussillon?

While Languedoc-Roussillon produces a wide array of wines, some of the most famous include the reds from appellations like Corbières and Minervois, the whites like Picpoul de Pinet, and sparkling wines from Limoux.
Are Languedoc-Roussillon wines expensive?

Languedoc-Roussillon offers a wide range of wines to suit all budgets. While there are premium, high-quality wines that fetch higher prices, the region is often celebrated for its excellent value wines that offer great quality for their price.
What food pairs well with Languedoc-Roussillon wines?

Given the diversity of wines, there are numerous pairing options. Rich red wines pair well with hearty meat dishes, the fresh white wines are excellent with seafood, while the rosés are versatile enough to go with a wide range of foods. The sweet fortified wines are perfect with dessert or cheese.
Is Languedoc-Roussillon the same as Occitanie?

Occitanie is the administrative region that was formed when Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées were merged in 2016. So, Languedoc-Roussillon is part of Occitanie, but they are not the same.
How do I get to Languedoc-Roussillon?

The region is well connected by air, with several airports including Montpellier, Carcassonne, and Perpignan. It's also easily accessible by high-speed trains from other parts of France, and road connections are excellent if you prefer to drive.