Mousse Tache By Jeff Carrel NV

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.

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.