Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc and Roussillon are two adjacent wine regions in southern France, known for their diverse wine production. While they are distinct regions, they are often named together due to their geographical proximity and similar climate.

Together, they form a vast winemaking region that stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the foothills of the Pyrenees. The regions produce a wide variety of wines, including robust reds, fresh whites, and vibrant rosés, as well as some excellent sparkling and sweet wines.

Languedoc stretches from the Rhône River to the Pyrenees Mountains.

Roussillon is located south of Languedoc, bordering Spain and the Mediterranean Sea.

Vineyards in Languedoc are generally planted along the coastal plains of the Mediterranean while vineyards in Roussillon are to be found in the narrow valleys around the Pyrenees.

The Largest Wine Region i Europe

Languedoc-Roussillon is the larges wine producting region in Europe. In total, more than 14 million hectoliters were produced in 2019, which accounted for nearly 40% of the total wine production in France.

Both Languedoc and Roussillon have experienced a renaissance in the wine production industry. Historically, the regions were known for producing large quantities of table wine, but there has been a shift towards quality wines.

Winemakers are now focusing on expressing the terroir of the region and experimenting with different grape varieties and winemaking techniques.

Key Characteristics

Diversity
Languedoc-Roussillon offers an impressive variety of wines, from robust reds and crisp whites to delightful rosés, sparkling and sweet wines.
Mediterranean Influence
The warm, sunny climate leads to ripe, full-flavored wines, particularly reds, that are often high in alcohol but balanced by fresh acidity or mineral notes.
Affordability
Despite the high quality, Languedoc-Roussillon wines are often more affordable than wines from more famous French regions like Bordeaux or Burgundy, making them great value for money.

Roussillon

Roussillon is often considered a distinct region from Languedoc, despite their geographical proximity. It lies closer to Spain and is heavily influenced by Catalan culture. The climate here is even hotter and drier than Languedoc, which results in intensely flavored, concentrated wines. Roussillon is known for both dry wines and sweet fortified wines.

Grenache, Syrah, Carignan

Like Languedoc, Roussillon’s red blends are dominated by Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan, but the wines tend to be richer, with more concentration and ripeness due to the hotter climate. The reds from Roussillon are typically full-bodied with dark fruit flavors (blackberry, black cherry), licorice, spices, and a distinctive minerality, often with earthy and herbal notes from the local garrigue.

Côtes du Roussillon

The Côtes du Roussillon and Côtes du Roussillon Villages appellations produce some of the most expressive and concentrated red wines in Roussillon. The Villages designation is for higher-quality wines from specific areas, known for their depth, structure, and complexity.

Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Roussanne

White wines in Roussillon are full-bodied and aromatic, often with a rich texture and flavors of stone fruits, citrus, and herbs. They can range from fresh and lively to more opulent and honeyed, depending on the winemaking style.

Sweet Fortified Wines

Roussillon is world-renowned for its Vin Doux Naturel (VDN), which are sweet, fortified wines made by adding grape spirit to stop fermentation, preserving the natural sugar in the grapes. These wines have incredible aging potential and are made primarily from Grenache grapes.

Banyuls

A fortified wine from the coastal area of Banyuls, it is made primarily from Grenache. Banyuls is rich, sweet, and often compared to Port, with flavors of dried fruits, chocolate, coffee, and spices. It pairs wonderfully with desserts, especially chocolate.

Maury

Similar to Banyuls, Maury is another Vin Doux Naturel made primarily from Grenache. These wines are deeply flavored with black fruit, dried fig, and cocoa notes. Maury wines can age for decades, developing complex layers of flavor over time.

Muscat de Rivesaltes

This is a sweet, fortified white wine made from Muscat grapes. It’s fragrant and floral, with vibrant notes of citrus, peach, and honey, often consumed as an aperitif or with desserts.

Roussilon is the southernmost wine region in France, known for dramatic landscapes, the Pyrenees Mountains and the worm coastal areas.

It is one of the oldest wine regions in France, beginning when vines were planted and harvested by the Greeks and Romans.

Sweet and Fortified Wines:

Roussillon is best known for its production of sweet and fortified wines, made from grapes that have been dried on the vine or exposed to the sun to concentrate sugars before fermentation. These wines, including Muscat de Rivesaltes and Banyuls, offer a wide range of styles, from light and aromatic to rich and decadent, and they are often enjoyed as dessert wines or paired with cheeses and desserts.

Aldough Roussillon is known for sweet wines, particularly those made from Grenache, the region also produces dry red and white wines, with Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Muscat.

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters, with some areas experiencing an influence from the Pyrenees. The diverse climate allows for the production of a wide range of wine styles.

The vineyards are exposed to a demanding climate: Mediterranean hot summers, mild autumns and winters with concentrated rain in the autumn and the spring.

The region is blessed with sunlight 315 days of the year. It the warmest wine region in France, with an average daily temperature of 15 Celsius.

7 Different types of dry winds blow across the wine growing areas every third day, keeping vineyards in near-perfect conditions, reducing the need for pest control or other human intervention:

Tramontane – North West
Mistral / Cers – North
Narbonnais – North east
Levant – East
Marinade – South East
Sirocco – South
Vent d’Espagne – South West
Canigounenc – West

Terroir

Roussillon is nestled between the Mediterranean Sea in the east and the Pyrenees Mountains mountains in the west. The location and the sunny climate offers a mosaic of terroirs for wines.

The predominant soil types in Roussillon include schist and limestone, which impart distinct mineral characteristics to the wines.

Bordered by 3 mountain ranges:	Crossed by 3 rivers:
Corbières in the North The Pyrenees in the West The Albères in the South	l'Agly la Têt le Tech

Roussillon Terroir

Grapes

The grapes in Roussillon tell a story of the time before Roussillon became French. Grenache - the main grape is actually Garnacha from Aragon in Spain. Carignan is Cariñena – again from Spain. Mourvèdre is actually Monastrell – from Spain.

Grenache

Grenache is the dominant grape in Roussillon. It thrives in the region's warm climate and produces wines with ripe fruit flavors, spice notes, and smooth tannins.

Carignan

Carignan is another important red grape, valued for its deep color, robust structure, and ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions.

Mourvèdre and Syrah

Other red grape varieties cultivated in Roussillon include Mourvèdre, Syrah, and a variety of indigenous and international grapes.

AOC Appellations

AOC - French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Rivesaltes AOC (1936) and Maury AOC (1936)

These appellations are known for their fortified wines, produced from Grenache and other local grape varieties. Rivesaltes wines are aged in oak barrels and exhibit flavors of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, while Maury wines are known for their rich, sweet, and concentrated flavors.

A vineyard in Rivesaltes AOC

Côtes du Roussillon AOC (1977)

Côtes du Roussillon AOC is an appellation for wines made in the Roussillon wine region of France. It is the least selective AOC in the Roussillon region.

The AOC covers a wide range of wine styles, including red, white, and rosé wines.

In 2020 20 million litres were produced in Côtes du Roussillon, 62% red, 24% rosé and 14% white.

The wines are most often blends, with Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, and Syrah as the prominent grapes.

Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC

This appellation represents a step up in quality, with stricter regulations regarding grape yields and vineyard practices.

The wines are typically more concentrated and age-worthy, reflecting the terroir of specific villages.

AOC rules Carignan (max 60%), Syrah, Mourvèdre (min 30% combined), Grenache noir, Lladoner. A minimum of three varieties are allowed in the blend.

Banyuls AOC

Banyuls is a fortified apéritif or dessert wine made from old vines cultivated in terraces on the slopes of the Catalan Pyrenees in Roussillo bordering Catalonia in Spain.