Languedoc & Roussillon wines
Languedoc-Roussillon is a long strip of land that embraces part of the French Mediterranean coast and stretches all the way to the Spanish border. Besides being the largest wine region, it also holds the record for production: to date, one third of all national production.
Banyuls is the most widespread wine in this area, the famous Vin Doux Naturels based on Grenache Noir, belonging to the Aoc Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru, Maury and Rivesaltes.
In the Aoc Vin Doux Naturels, we find Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel, Muscat de Mireval, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, all made from Muscat à Petits grapes.
Other Aocs: Clairette du Languedoc, Collioure, Corbières, Coteaux du Languedoc, Côtes du Rossillon, Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Faugères, Fitou, Limoux, Minervois and Saint-Chinian.
The red grapes mainly vinified are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan, Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Mouvedre, Syrah; the white grapes are Chardonnay, Mauzac, Muscat d'Alexandre, Muscat à Petits Grains, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Chenin Blanc.
A very pleasant sparkling wine contributes to the area's fame: Cremant de Limoux, generally produced from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Mauzac grapes.