Languedoc
Bordering the Mediterranen, wine has been produced in Languedoc for more than 2000 years. The Greeks, and later the Romans, established colonies to produce wine and oil here. In later times the area produced high volumes of poor quality wine to blend with the strong wine imported from the North African colonies. During the 1960's the vines were replanted with the high volume, stronger, but still undistinguished Carignan grapes.
With the worldwide excess production of wine, vignerons in the Languedoc area have been replanting with varieties intended to produce better quality wines. Producers from California, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere are currently buying up vineyards because of the good ground and the cachet of a French label.
Increasingly, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cinsaut, Mourvedre, Sauvignon and Viognier are used for wine making. The Languedoc is becoming a respected producer of quality wines. As in historical times, production of sweet wines, such as Muscat de Lunel and Rivesaltes continues along the coastal plains.
Area
Vintage chart
Wines
- AOC Blanquette méthode ancestrale
- AOC Cabardès
- AOC Clairette du Languedoc
- AOC Corbières-Boutenac
- AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
- AOC Cotes du Roussillon
- AOC Cotes du Roussillon Villages
- AOC Crémant de Limoux
- AOC Faugères
- AOC Fitou
- AOC Frontignan, Muscat de Frontignan, Vin de Frontignan
- AOC Grand Roussillon
- AOC Limoux
- AOC Minervois
- AOC Minervois-La Livinière
- AOC Muscat de Lunel
- AOC Muscat de Mireval
- AOC Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
- AOC Rivesaltes
- AOC Saint-Chinian
- AOVDQS Côtes de la Malepère
- AOVDQS Côtes de Millau