Languedoc

Appellation named after the town of Frontignan, located on the Mediterranean coast in the heart of the Languedoc wine-growing region in France. The younger Pliny (61-113 AD in his significant letters referred to the „bees’ wine“. There must thus have been a sweet wine in those ancient times, although the invention of vin doux naturel is credited to the famous medical doctor Arnaldus de Villanova (1240-1311). According to his own observations, daily enjoyment of the wine made him feel many years younger. The wine was extremely popular in Paris and London in the 17th and 18th centuries. The English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) praised the „Frontiniac“ in 1676. At the time, this was compared to the South African Constantia wine. Other enthusiastic fans included Voltaire (1694-1778) and the later president of the USA, Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826). The locals like to recount the story of the visit by the Marquise de Lur-Saluces in Frontignan in 1700. It is claimed that it was here he was given the inspiration to also produce sweet wines on his estate Château d´Yquem. The Muscat de Frontignan was the first vin doux naturel to be classified as an AC. It is considered to be the best of the four VDN appellations in the Languedoc regions. Only the grape variety Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (Muscat Blanc) may be used exclusively for all of them. Both the grape variety and the wine are referred to here as Muscat de Frontignan. The wine msut have a minimum alcohol content of 15% vol and a minimum residual sugar level of 125 g/l. There is also a version that is fortified even before fermentation takes place. This vin de liqueur (VDL) is even sweeter. Well-known producers include Cave Favier-Bel, Domaine du Mas Rouge, CV du Muscat de Frontignan, Château de la Peyrade and Château de Stony. The three other VDN appellations in the Languedoc region areMuscat de Lunel, Muscat de Mireval and Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois. The VDN appellations Banyuls, Maury, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Rivesaltes are located in the Roussillon wine-growing region, which borders on the Languedoc to the east.