Wines of France

Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest winegrowing area in the world. From the Rhone to the border of Spain, it is five times larger than the entire Australian winegrowing country. Its geographic and geological diversity provide it with a wide range of unique terroirs, including the schistous terraces of Banyuls and the sandy vineyards of Golfe du Lion, which can be seen from the beach. During the winegrowing crisis of the 1970s, the vineyards were completely overhauled, and the mediocre stock was replaced with noble grape varieties. Thirty years later, the region has emerged on the international market, with numerous exports, and has become France’s latest winegrowing success story.

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An expansive natural amphitheater between Massif Central and the Mediterranean, Languedoc-Roussillon takes full advantage of its Mediterranean climate, which is perfectly suited for grape growing. Under its deep blue skies, it has all the elements needed for excellent wine production: dry, windy winters, rain in the spring and after the fall harvest, and maximum sunlight. The violent Mistral and Tramontane winds sweep the lands by turns, drying the vineyards and minimizing the risk of disease. The climate on the coast produces exuberant, aromatic wines that are round on the palate, while the inland vineyards on the hills adjoining the foothills of Massif Central yield more structured and powerful wines that offer pleasant surprises. On the edge of the region, near Carcassonne, the climate also is affected by Atlantic influences

It is here that the Romans established the first vineyards when the region belonged to the province of Narbonnaise, linked directly with Rome by the Via Domitia. Many vestiges of this past remain, including the amphitheaters of Arles and the Maison Carrée in Nîmes. In Montpellier, the Middle Ages left the best traces, with a magnificent gothic city center and a renowned medical university. Further south, in Perpignan, the influence of Spain can be felt. Here, Catalan is spoken, fishermen bring home anchovies and the natives have a fiery spirit. Over the past thirty years, the region’s dynamic winemakers have raised the quality of their production from table wine to AOC status.

Between Nîmes, Perpignan and Carcassonne, there are a variety of different terroirs. Roussillon’s clay-limestone terraces and schistous massifs are juxtaposed with coastal terraces where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea. The diverse soils, studded with round river stones and limestone, produce a variety of different wines with many assorted aromas, even within a single appellation. In general, the sedimentary sand and limestone soils are located on the coast, while the schistous soils are located in the mountainous parts of the regions.