Saint-Guilhem Le Desert French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a small Languedoc protected geographical indication producing characterful reds, whites and rosés in the wild hills north of Montpellier.
More info about Saint-Guilhem Le Desert
Geographic position
Southern France, in the Hérault department, around the medieval village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and the Hérault river gorges, between the Larzac plateau and the Montpellier plain.
Origin & history
The village grew around the Gellone Abbey, founded in 804 by Guilhem, a cousin of Charlemagne, and monks tended vines here throughout the Middle Ages. The area became famous in the 1970s thanks to Mas de Daumas Gassac, and the IGP now lets growers work freely with local and international grapes.
Wines & grape varieties
Red, white and rosé from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and whites from Viognier, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Vermentino.
Climate & soil
Mediterranean climate cooled by altitude and night winds from the Larzac. Limestone scree, red glacial soils and clay-limestone terraces give freshness and depth.
Wine region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Syrah, Vermentino, Viognier