This designation would later evolve into the AOC system. Selection and research into soil makeup, vineyard management, yield control, and winemaking methods led to a restructuring of the Languedoc region and, eventually, the classification of its terroirs into various AOCs, which now guarantee the quality and authenticity of Languedoc wines. This regional appellation evolved from the extension of the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation, which was established in Production covers the whole of the Languedoc-Roussillon.
These wines are known as enjoyable everyday drinking wines that deliver a strong quality-to-price ratio. Alongside these, there are also 14 designations or vineyard sites who have filed an application with the INAO for specific recognition:. In addition to those AOCs, the region also includes 19 IGP Sud de France denominations, named not only for their viticultural aspects but also factors such as history and geography.
These are:. Their flavor profile is dominated by red fruit and spices and is often associated with an herb blend called garrigue, containing rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, and juniper, that is typical of the region. Approximately 93 percent of the wines produced in the region are still wines, while 5 percent are sparklers, and 2 percent are sweet Muscat-based vins doux naturels. This variety has been cultivated in France since the Middle Ages. While typically smooth and delicate, Grenache provides structure to Languedoc blends.
It also has an aromatic flavor profile and an exceptional ability to age provided yields have been controlled. It produces round, elegant wines with notes of cherry and plum in youth, and jam, cocoa, and mocha with age. Wines made with Syrah tend to be robust and high in alcohol and tannins, which makes them good candidates for aging. Syrah gives low-acid, deeply colored, fruity wines with red fruit and strong floral notes, with hints of licorice, ginger, and spice. With age, Syrah develops resin and animal notes.
Grown throughout the southern Mediterranean, Carignan is a low-yield variety that produces powerful, intensely colored wines with strong tannins. Carignan offers red and black fruit notes as well as typical regional notes of garrigue. Peppery, balsamic notes may develop as Carignan ages. It contributes complexity to Languedoc blends, and its flavor profile features blackberries, blueberries, and black currant, as well as baking spices and herbal garrigue notes.
The Languedoc in France is the location of some of the most significant French monuments and tourist attractions including the Castle of Carcassonne, the Pont du Gard a Roman aqueduct , the Canal du Midi, the ancient walled-city of Aigues-Mortes, the Eastern Pyrenees and the roman town of Nimes. The Languedoc-Roussillon region, comprises 5 separate departments. The Gard department department number 30 , was formed after the French Revolution and was named after the River Gardon.
The Gard department borders both Provence and the Camargue and it shares the same laid back feel and old natural heritage of both these areas. The capital of the Gard department is the city of Nimes, which was an important Roman settlement built by soldiers under the Emperor Augustus.
In the centre of Nimes, you can still see remnants of the Roman times, including the Maison Carree one of the best-preserved roman temples outside of Italy and Les Arenes roman amphitheatre.
But perhaps the most important Roman artifact, is the magnificent Pont du Gard aqueduct, that brought water from Uzes to Nimes. The Gard has always been an important textile centre the cloth for Denim jeans came from Nimes - de Nimes became Denim and during the 19th Century it also became an important railway junction.
On the coastline of the Gard department, on the Golfe de Lion, lies the ancient fishing port of Aigues Mortes. Well I say it is on the coastline, it is now actually 5kms inland, due to the river channel silting up. Aigues-Mortes was built in the 13th Century by Louis IX as a new port for France, but after the silt clogged up the access to the sea, a lot of the maritime traffic was transferred to nearby Marseille.
Today however, it remains a well-preserved medieval town. Nearby to Aigues-Mortes, there is a fantastic beach called Espiguette, located near the resort town of Le Grau de Roi. The Gard department contains many vineyards, but the landscape becomes more rocky and mountainous as you move inland. It was created in from part of the former province of Languedoc.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the wine produces in the Herault were devastated by a slump in sales combined with disease affecting the vines. Thousands of small scale wine producers revolted due to the deprivation caused, but this revolt was suppressed very harshly by the government of Georges Clemenceau. In a damaging frost also wiped out virtually all of the olive trees in the region. Today, the Herault department has one of the highest levels of unemployment in France.
This is perhaps not all that it seems because many of the jobs in the department are seasonal: either in the tourism industry or in agriculture. During the second half of the 20th century the Montpellier area underwent one of the most rapid population increases experienced anywhere in France and today it remains the most popular city in France for people to move to. The Aude department in south-central is named after the river Aude, but it also goes under the title of "Cathar Country" on account of its many Cathar relics.
In the east of the Aude department, the landscape contains coastal lakes, flat plains and long sandy beaches. To the north and west of the Aude Department, the Black Mountains provide spectacular scenary and excellent hiking trails. The Minervois area of the Aude department is an important wine region in France. In , a wine from the Minervois was selected as the best win in the world by a panel of Grand Wine Sommeliers.
Another important wine area is the Corbieres and the sparkling wines from Limoux are also celebrated in this area of France. The regional dish of the Aude deartment is the Cassoulet, a rich stew made from duck, pork and white beans. The climate in the Aude department is primarily Mediterranean, with long hot summer months.
However, during the autumn there are often many violent storms and strong winds. It is one of the windiest departments in France, with to days of wind per year.
The Tramontane is a strong wind that plagues this area during October through to February. As a result, of the wind, the area is now an important centre for wind farms. In the 13th century, the region saw the development of Catharism, a Christian sect which was quickly judged to be heretical by the Catholic Church. The barons of the north united to form an army under the command of Simon de Montfort. The city of Carcassonne became the refuge of numerous Cathars.
Carcassonne has been restored to much of its medieval appearance. Narbonne is a tourist destination due to its Roman ruins. The Fontfroide Abbey, is also an important tourist site.
Narbonne Traditionally seen as a jumping-off point for hikes through Cathar castles and explorations to the nearby Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park , Narbonne reveals another shining jewel every July. Le Salin de Gruissan. All roads lead to La Cambuse du Saunier. Le Salin de Gruissan turned red due to bacteria that produce beta carotene. Gruissan Gruissan, a fishing village that once served as respite for farmers before the grape harvest, lies just twenty minutes from Narbonne. The installation runs through September Plan Your Trip Take advantage of the summer and early fall to visit this southern region of France for its unspoiled natural beauty and resources — salt and wine.
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