Translation missing: en.Languedoc: Languedoc

The Languedoc is the largest viticultural region in France. With this comes a lot of large-scale producers making lack-lustre wines, so it’s important to know where to look. Languedoc is home to lots of unique grape varieties from very old vines. Due to the ease of viticulture in the area as well, there are also plenty of “natural” and organic producers in the area making interesting wines that can’t be replicated anywhere else. This region is a great value alternative to the wines of the Rhône.

LOCATION:
Languedoc is located in southern France making up the large Mediterranean coastal area between Provence and the Spanish border. 

TERROIRS:
The climate of Languedoc is Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters, springs and autumns. This area receives some of the lowest average rainfall in all of France and receives strong winds which drastically reduces disease pressure. There are; however, different micro-climates that can be broken down into 5 groups. In the north there are more mountains and the climate is more continental, there is a strong influence from the Mediterranean along the coast in terms of breezes and sunlight, towards the south the climate is closer to Roussillon’s making it more suitable for Carignan production, the centre of the region is more typically Mediterranean and the east has continental and Atlantic influences making it more suited to sparkling production. Soil types vary, with clay and limestone being the most dominant, though there are areas where schist, shale, granite, pebbles, and sandstone are common.

VARIETIES:
The main red varieties of Languedoc are: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Important white grapes in the region include: Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Rolle, Maccabéo, Marsanne, Roussanne, and the local varieties Picpoul, Terret and Clairette.

PRODUCERS:
Mas Jullien, Maxime Magnon, Château La Negly, Gerard Bertrand, Domaine Peyre, La Peira