Languedoc wine
Languedoc wines have a very ancient history and tradition : the vineyards were probably introduced in the area by the Greek colonies in the 5th Century B.C.
Phylloxera attacked the vineyards in 1968, but winegrowers overcame this terrible period by enhancing the quality of their production : Mediterranean traditional vines were conserved ( Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre), new type of vines were planted, research was undertaken on wine-making, trying to keep at the same time the best of tradition.
Now, thanks to this work, the Languedoc vineyard benefits from 18 Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC).
The Languedoc region, has a great variety of soils, that give to each wine its character : calcareous clay, limestone, sandstone, etc. The climate is typically Mediterranean : dry and very hot in the summer, warm in the autumn, sunny in the winter, with few rain.
The wines are red, grey or rosé and white.
that wooden or cistus aroma, the characteristic bouquet of the Garrigue or of ripe fruit, a silky or lively texture.
Languedoc red wines are made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan, ... They develop spicy aromas, with a red fruit and red berries taste.
Languedoc grey wines are made from Grenache gris, rosés from Syrah and Cinsault. These fruity wines also have aromas of violet.
Languedoc white wines are made from Chardonnay, Marsanne, Viognier, Clairette (sparkling wine), Grenache blanc, Bourboulenc, Piquepoul blanc,... These wines develop aromas of exotic fruit, citrus fruit, fig, with a hint of hazelnut or almond.
Roussillon wine
The climate of Roussillon seems to be made for vine cultivating : summers ares hot, winters mild, and the winds (Tramontane, Vent d’Espagne) leave the soils dry, which is good for the vine.
Roussillon produces red wines from Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache ,Carignan Cinsault, Lladoner Pelut, grey wines from Grenache gris, and white wines from Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache blanc,Muscat, Macabeu. These type of vine grow on varied soils, limestone, granite, gneiss, etc.
The Roussillon wines are mainly rosés, but also reds, that shall be drinked young, or on the contrary that will be ’vins de garde’ (to be kept and to mature many years).
