The Languedoc Wine Region

Following up from the previous post, I wanted to share some information on the Languedoc wine region. The Languedoc is usually mentioned alongside Roussillon making them a natural match. However, there are some differences between the two areas.  


The Languedoc region lies in the far South of France, near the Spanish border and between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The region encompasses approximately 40,000 hectares of vineyards, making it a large wine producing region comparatively both within France and worldwide. Many wines from the Languedoc carry the "IGP Pays d'Oc" label, heralding to the Occitanie heritage of the region, which covers much of North Catalonia (with "South Catalonia" being in current day Spain).


The Languedoc is primarily closer to the cost than Roussillon, and has a more humid, coastal influence. The area is also commonly overlooked by more "prominent" regions in the Rhône Valley and Provence, which have more cultural caché. Despite this, Languedoc has an extensive cultural and winemaking history which equal these areas more internationally renowned. 

Overall, there are 36 distinct A.O.C.s and 23 distinct I.G.P.s within the Languedoc region. The peak growing season occurs between May and August, in dry climate. The plains are the most arid and hottest region of France. The average annual temperature is 15°C (59°F), with approximately 320 days of sunshine per year. Wines are primarily made with red grape varietals, consisting of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. 


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