France · AOCs & IGPs
Languedoc
France's largest, most dynamic vineyard — value, old vines and natural wine from garrigue to sea.
A vast Mediterranean sweep from Nîmes to the Spanish border, the Languedoc has gone from bulk-wine sea to France's most exciting frontier. Old Carignan and Grenache on schist and limestone give garrigue-scented reds; the coast yields zesty Picpoul de Pinet; Limoux makes sparkling wine that predates Champagne. France's largest organic vineyard area.
Blanquette de Limoux, in 1531.
ClimateMediterranean, hot, dry, windy
AltitudeSea level–450 m
Grapes
Grenache Noire, Grenache Grise, Grenache Blanche, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Picpoul, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle (Vermentino), Muscat à Petit Grains, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Soils
SchistLimestoneClayGaletsBasalt
Limoux claims to have made sparkling wine before Champagne.
