Languedoc-Roussillon wine region French wine region guide: location, history, appellations, grapes & food
Languedoc-Roussillon is France's largest wine region, a sunny Mediterranean land of great diversity and value, from bold red blends and sweet Muscats to sparkling Limoux and crisp Picpoul.
More info about the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region
Geographic position
Southern France, along the Mediterranean coast from the Rhône delta to the Spanish border, across the Gard, Hérault, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales departments, between the sea, the Cévennes and the Pyrenees, covering more than 500,000 acres of vines.
Origin & history
Greek and Roman settlers planted the first vineyards, and Narbonne was one of Rome's first colonies in Gaul. For centuries the region produced bulk wine, but since the 1980s a revolution in quality has made it one of France's most dynamic areas. Roussillon, once part of Catalonia, became French in 1659.
Main appellations & varieties
Languedoc, Pic Saint-Loup, Terrasses du Larzac, Minervois, Corbières, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Fitou, Picpoul de Pinet, Limoux, Côtes du Roussillon, Collioure, Banyuls and Maury, plus IGP Pays d'Oc. Grapes include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault.
Food specialties
Cassoulet from Castelnaudary, Bouzigues oysters, brandade de morue from Nîmes, tielle from Sète, Collioure anchovies, Roquefort, and crème catalane.