Languedoc-Roussillon covers the area on the border of the Mediterranean sea between the west of the Rhône and Camargue to the border of Spain and the Pyrénées mountains. The vineyards of this sunny region are one of the largest expanses of vine growing region in the world.
Long history of wine making and favorable natural and climatic conditions explain why wine is so important in Languedoc Roussillon. Dramatic have been made other the years to reduce the production and to improve the quality of the wine.
Languedoc-Roussillon region produces mainly red wines, a good share is "Vin de Table" but most of it is "Vin de Pays". They are perfect as every day wines. AOC wines are very interesting to follow as the techniques, grape varieties and vineyards selected tend to improve the quality of the wine.
The most basic information on the wines of Languedoc Roussillon are:
Location:
On the border of the Mediterranean sea, from the Rhône river to the Pyrénées mountains and Spain
Size:
27,400 km2 (size of the Languedoc Roussillon region)
Covering 5 departments: Aude, Gard, Hérault, Pyrénées Orientales and Lozère (the latest is more a cheese area)
Size of the vineyards:
160,000 hectares (400,000 acres)
Grapes in Languedoc Roussillon:
Carignan
Grenache
Mourvèdre
Cinsault
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Production: over 2 billion bottles !
Type of Wine:
Full-body red wine (Corbières, Saint Chinian)
Medium-body red wine (Costières)
Light and dry rosé (Languedoc, Roussillon)
Dry white wine (Costières, Languedoc, Minervois)
Sweet red wine (Banyuls, Carthagène, Maury)
Sweet white wine (Muscat)
Sparkling white wine (Limoux)
Languedoc Roussillon Wine and food:
Red:
Grilled red meat
Paté, sausages and salami
Roasted turkey
Rosé:
Salad
Onion tart
Omelet
