Languedoc-Roussillon
Located in Southern France, the Languedoc is part of the large Mediterranean coastal area now known as the Occitanie region, reaching from the Spanish border on the southeast to the region of Provence in the east. The Languedoc makes up approximately 90 percent of the territory; Roussillon occupies the other 10 percent. Together they represent France’s largest wine-producing region and vineyard area—more than one in three French wines is produced here. The greater Languedoc-Roussillon region is also the largest vineyard area in the world with a geographic identity. Viticulture is one of the main drivers of the local economy, and many of the wineries are small family holdings that date back generations.
The main area of the Languedoc wine region stretches across three départements—from the Aude to the Gard by way of the Hérault—and then extending to the Pyrénées-Orientales where it meets Roussillon. The region’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea helps provide greater consistency across vintages than in other areas of France.
For the most part, the region has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild springs, autumns, and winters. There are, however, varying microclimates throughout. They can be broken down into five groups.
Mountain: In the north of the region, the climate tends to be more continental, similar to that of the nearby Rhône.
Coastal: Along the coast, there is a strong Mediterranean influence, with abundant sunshine.
South: In the southern part of the region, the climate is similar to Roussillon’s—making it suitable for more production of Carignan.
Center: In the heart of the region, the climate is classically Mediterranean.
West: In the west, the region experiences a mix of continental and Atlantic influences, which help create ideal conditions for Languedoc’s sparkling wines.
Domaine Riere Cadene Côtes De Roussillon Villages White Augusta 2023 $20 - Named after Emperor August who, 2000 years ago, built the road that goes through the Pyrenees Mountains, this cuvée is a blend of 60% Macabeo, 25% Grenache Blanc and 15% Vermentino. The 80+ year old vines are grown on the hillsides of the Agly Valley, on black schist and black marls.
Château d’Oupia 2023 Les Heretiques $14 - Les Heretiques is mainly old vine Carignan plus a splash of Grenache to add a little oomph. It is a rustic, earthy, and spicy red wine with loads of ripe berry fruit.
Domaine De Campaucels Igp Oc “Rousseline” 2020 $15 - Grenache, Cinsault, Merlot and Syrah. Raspberry and truffle aromas with smoky notes. Taste is round, fruity and light, balanced with melted tannins.
Chateau du Donjon IGP Red Coteaux de Peyriac "Le Petit Coup" 2021 $16- Merlot 50%, Grenache 25%, Carignan 25% "With its pretty ruby colour, P'tit coup rouge is a bistro wine of excellence: a fruity, round red wine with a beautiful balance, which makes it immediately pleasant.."
Olivier Coste “Mourvèdre Illégal” 2023 $17 - 100% Mourvedre. Dark and inky in the glass. Medium bodied, blue fruits, and soft tannin.
Bonus Wines
Olivier Pithon “Mon P’tit Pithon” Rouge 2023 $22 - Olivier Pithon Mon P’tit Pithon Rouge is a crunchy, chillable, thirst-quenching red. Fresh cherry and blueberry, tart cranberry, and a lemon zest acidity on the finish. 100% whole berry co-fermentation in large stainless-steel tanks.
Domaine Riere Cadene L'Echals 2020 $26 - The result is a classic roussillon table red, with strong syrah aromas of stewed black cherry and red currant, pipe smoke, Ethiopian coffee beans and olive tapenade. Grenache + Syrah.
Danjou-Banessy, “Roboul” 2022 $36 - Comprised of Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre grown in clay/limestone soils under galets (see Châteauneuf) and aged for 14 months in barrel. In the glass it is a pale ruby, and on the palate it charms with delicate red fruits and powdered stone.