Wines by Regions-Languedoc and Roussillon

Languedoc and Roussillon





Grapes that are bursting with sunshine, grown in stony soil on dry slopes... the Languedoc Roussillon region provides the vine with ideal natural conditions. The development of  regional varieties of grape in these ancient soils, as well as the methods used in wine production, are evidence of unique, traditional savoir-faire that is still used, but now combined with the most up-to-date oenological technology.

The wine growers of Languedoc- Roussillon have quite deliberately opted for tradition, counterbalanced by modern technology. This commitment to tradition is best experienced through the Appellations d'Origine Controlee, which are as varied as the soils and the grapes themselves. Amongst these, Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre are the main varieties used for red wines ; and Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Marsanne et Muscat for white wines.

Grapes are harvested by hand, in the traditional manner, and the vinification process uses a long fermentation, as it has always done. Modern techniques are used in the cultivation and monitoring of the vines, to ensure consistency in the quality of the vintage Languedoc-Roussillon's proud boast however, is contained in the wines themselves, which are both noble and elegant.


 Corbieres region    Roussillon-Languedoc Wines    Shelf life of Languedoc-Roussillon Wines     Vineyards of Roussillon     Characteristics of Roussillon Wines

Languedoc and Roussillon Wineries



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Corbieres Region

The Corbieres wine region, covering an area of 23.000 hectares located in the vast mountain range extending from the city of Carcassonne to the beaches of the Mediterranean. The region can be subdivided into four sections, differing in climate and topology.

Hautes Corbieres: This is the heart of the mountain range very steep region with schistous or clay-chalk soils. The climate is Mediterranean, with cool, damp winters.

Corbieres Maritimes: The vines are grown along the coastal strip between the Mediterranean and mountain barrier rising parallel to the coast. The soils are often chalky and the climate is dominated by the influence of the sea.

Corbieres d'Alaric: The Alaric mountain extends from the outskirts of the city of Carcassonne to the outskirts of Lezignan. The Mediterranean influence is less apparent here.

Corbieres Centrales. This is the driest and the largest zone and a combination of the various regions. Here are to be found the best grape-varieties,

Fitou: The two small regions producing "Fitou" A.O.C. wine are be found in the centre of the Corbieres.

The Minervois is a homogeneous geographical region situated at the southern extremity of the Massif Central, between Beziers and Carcassonne. The "Appellation" vineyards cover 18,000 hectares located on ancient terraces and slopes facing due south. In the northern part, on the limestone plateaux called "causses" bordering on the Cesse river, are situated the vineyards of Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, the veritable gem of the Appellation.



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Grape Varieties of Languedoc

Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervoir : Only the small-seed Muscat grape has a right to the Appellation. Red and Rose Minervoir : The characteristic grape varieties, the basis of the Appellation, are Syrah (for the overall vineyards) and Mourvedre (reserved for the hottest local soils). They are mandatory but may be accompanied by the following varieties : Grenache Noir Lladoner Pelut Noir, Cinsault Noir, Carignan Noir, Terret Noir and Picpoul Noir.

White Minervois : The characteristic varieties are Macabeo, Bour boulenc, and Malvoisie. One may also use Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Terret Blanc and Clairette varieties.

For red and rose Corbieres: Carignan, Grenache, Cinsaut, Syrah Mourvedre, Picpoul noir, Terret noir, Lladoner.

For white Corbieres: Bourboulene (Malvoisie), Grenache blanc Macabeo, Picpoul, Terret, Clairette, Muscat.

For Fitou: Carignan (75%) and Grenache. Syrah, Mourvedre Macabeo and Cinsaut are also used (to a maximum of 10%).

Grape Varieties of Roussillion

For the white wines, which can only be "Cotes du Roussillon", two varieties are allowed:
Maccabeo and Malvoisie.
For the red and rose wines, the main variety here is the Carignan, a variety that has come to us from Spain and which has found a very suitable soil in this region; from 1985 the Carignan will have to be used with other grape varieties from Cinsault, Grenache Noir, Lladoner Pelut, Movrvedre, Syrah and Maccabeo (the latter must not exceed 10% in red wines).



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Advice from the Sommelier on Languedoc Wines

White Corbieres should be served chilled, 6 to 8 "C, with seafood, shellfish and all other kinds of fish. Rose Corbieres will also be served chilled and eaten with cooked meats and hors-d'oeuvre. Red Corbieres will be served at a temperature between 12 and 14 c as an accompaniment to grilled or casseroled meat, and with cheese.

Fitou. Hautes-Corbieres red wines and some Corbieres Centrales reds go well with game and "ripe" cheese. White Minervois should be served at from 6 to 8°C. Mouth-filling "Mourels" and "Serres" go well with cheeses, especially goat and ewe cheeses. The other, drier, whites go better with shellfish. Roses, too, must be served at low temperature; their quality is rather homogeneous throughout the vineyards and they go well with entrees, especially "artichokes a la Minervois".

Reds shouId be served at from 14 to 1 60C. They go well with numerous dishes, ranging from grilled red meat, for the most supple (Serres and Balcons de I'Aude), to cassoulets and other rich dishes, for the headiest (Causses. Argent Double and Cotes Noires).

Finally, the Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois is served at 8 to 10c . Although it is appreciated mainly as an aperitif, it is also quite well suited to accompany foie gras and-even better-Roquefort.

Advice from the Sommelier on Roussillon Wines

Drink the white "Cotes du Roussillon" very cool at about 6-8" C, with shell-fish and sea-food. The roses are best served at 10" C. with hors d'oeuvres or charcuterie.
Both the red wines are perfectly suited to grilled red meat or meat in sauces. They should be served at 12" to 14" C.
An old bottle will be perfect with game or strong cheese.

ROUSSILLON WINES

The production of white wines has risen to an average of 10,000 hectolitres with a tendency to increase this volume. The selection of these wines is extremely strict and only those wines produced from the Maccabeo and Malvoisie grapes have the right to the appellation controlee. These are wines which are produced from grapes that have not yet reached full maturity and they are dry and refreshing with a pleasant acidity and an alcoholic content that is usually around 11.0 and must never be less than 10.5".

The red and rose wines of the "Cotes du Roussillon" and the red "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages'' must be produced from grapes which are fully ripened. They can be made either with the classic vinification methods or by carbonic maceration. The average yearly production is about 240.000 hectolitres per year but between 15 and 20% are not granted AOC. status. This large percentage goes to prove the constant wish of the vine growers to attain high quality. They are powerful wines, deep in colour and full-bodied with a minimum alcoholic content of 11.50. The authorised yield per hectare is 50 hectolitres but this is rarely reached. The roses are fruity and have a strong colour.

The average yearly production of the "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages" is 90.000 hectolitres. Given the quality of the soil where these wines are made and the restraints imposed by the law, compared to "Cotes du Roussillon" about 7% are rejected each year. These wines, which can only be red, are powerful, with a lot of body and character and their colour is very deep. They will keep for a long time and must contain at least 12" alcohol. The yield per hectare must not exceed 45 hectolitres.



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SHELF LIFE OF LANGUEDOC WINES

White and rose Corbieres must be drunk young. Red Corbieres are at their best when two to five years old, according to region of origin. Fitou needs five to six years to reach full maturity.
White and rose Minervois are appreciated for their youth and freshness. They should be drunk during the two years following harvesting.
Red Minervois keep for a more or less long time according to year and individual local soil. The "Causse", "Argent Double", "Petit Causse" and "Mourels" soils produce good-keeping wines which may be aged from 5 to 6 years.

SHELF LIFE OF ROUSSILLON WINES

The white wines must be drunk quickly, when they are young. The rose wines can be kept for two years. The "Cotes du Roussillon" red wines will retain their elegance up to 5 years of age and the "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages" will reach their peak when they are 5 years old but can be kept for 8 or even 10 years.



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Vineyards of Roussillon

The "Cotes du Roussillon" vineyard, which is the most southerly of France, lies in the south from Perpignan to the Alberes, the most easterly part of the Pyrenees, whilst in the north it covers the slopes of the Fenouilledes. In the same wine area, covering some 25,000 hectares, the "Vins Doux Naturels" -- Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Maury -- are produced.

Only twenty five villages have the right to call their wines "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages'' and these are situated in the Pyrenees Orientales department, within the production zone of the "Cotes du Roussillon". They are all red wines.

Only two villages have the right to add their name to the "Appellation Cotes du Roussillon-Villages''. They are "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages- Caramany" and "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages-Latour de France". On the whole the soil in this region is very arid. This is made even worse by the position of the vineyards which are usually on a slope and by the Mediterranean climate which is often excessive here; high temperatures, dry summers, rain only in October and May. On the other hand, this type of climate ensures a homogeneity of production.



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Characteristics of Roussillon Wines

The production of white wines has risen to an average of 10,000 hectolitres with a tendency to increase this volume. The selection of these wines is extremely strict and only those wines produced from the Maccabeo and Malvoisie grapes have the right to the appellation controlee. These are wines which are produced from grapes that have not yet reached full maturity and they are dry and refreshing with a pleasant acidity and an alcoholic content that is usually around 11.0 and must never be less than 10.5".

The red and rose wines of the "Cotes du Roussillon" and the red "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages'' must be produced from grapes which are fully ripened. They can be made either with the classic vinification methods or by carbonic maceration. The average yearly production is about 240.000 hectolitres per year but between 15 and 20% are not granted AOC. status. This large percentage goes to prove the constant wish of the vine growers to attain high quality. They are powerful wines, deep in colour and full-bodied with a minimum alcoholic content of 11.50. The authorised yield per hectare is 50 hectolitres but this is rarely reached. The roses are fruity and have a strong colour. The average yearly production of the "Cotes du Roussillon-Villages" is 90.000 hectolitres.

Given the quality of the soil where these wines are made and the restraints imposed by the law, compared to "Cotes du Roussillon" about 7% are rejected each year. These wines, which can only be red, are powerful, with a lot of body and character and their colour is very deep. They will keep for a long time and must contain at least 12" alcohol. The yield per hectare must not exceed 45 hectolitres.



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