Languedoc

By far the largest appellation in the Languedoc wine-growing region in France. The vineyard area totals 55.000 hectares stretching along the Mediterranean coast over a distance of 130 kilometres from Nîmes to Narbonne in a band up to 50 kilometres wide. They include 168 communes in the three départements of Aude (5), Gard (19) and Hérault (144). AC classification was awarded in 1985 for rosé and red wines, and in 1988 for white wines. There are considerable geological differences in the soils, but the whole region enjoys a dry, even, sun-drenched climate. In spite of the large size of the appellation, the wines show a consistently high level of quality. The red wine is a blend made of a minimum of 40% Grenache Noir, Llladoner Pelut, Mourvèdere and Syrah, a maximum of 40% Carignan and Cinsaut, as well as a maximum of 10% Counoise, Grenache Gris, Terret Noir and Picpouil Noir. The same varieties may be used to produce rosé, with no limits on the shares of any variety. The white wine is a blend of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, as well as a maximum of 30% Carignan Blanc, Macabéo, Marsanne, Rolle, Roussanne and Ugni Blanc. A total of 12 communes, some of them with very extensive vineyard holdings, have been elevated to Cru status, and may state their names on the label. For red wines and rosés these are Cabrières, Coteaux de la Méjanelle, Coteaux de Vérargues, La Clape, Montpeyroux, Pic Saint-Loup, Quatource, Saint-Christol, Saint-Drézérey, Saint-Georges-d´Orques and Saint-Saturnin. For white iwnes they are La Clape and Picpoul de Pinet. Well-known producers include Domaine de l´Aiguelière, Domaine d´Aupilhac, Mas Bruguière, CV de Cabrières, Domaine de Cazeneuve, Domaine de la Coste, Château de l´Engarran, Château de Flaugergues, Domaine de la Grangette, Domaine Guiraud-Boyer, Château de Lascaux, Château Notre Dame, Domaine Peyre Rose, Château Puech-Haut, Domaine de la Roque, CV de St-Saturnin and Domaine du Temple.