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The Languedoc is the biggest wine making region in the world, with over 736,000 acres/298,000 ha under vine. The area stretching for 120 miles along the Mediterranean coast produces 1/3 of all French wine, and more wine than all of Australia. The changes in the last 10 to 15 years have been radical, and the Languedoc now enjoys the status of being Frances best-value, and most exciting wine region.
The Languedoc takes its name from a time when its inhabitants spoke Occitan, the language in which oc is the word for “yes”, hence langue d'oc. Many vineyards are planted just where the Romans would have tended the vines 2000 years ago, on the rocky limestone outcroppings overlooking the Mediterranean.
Recently great steps have been taken to improve the vinification and viticulture in the area. Many outside investors have suddenly discovered the Midi as a place to make exceptional wine, and are bringing their new winemaking knowledge and practices.
Many of the long-standing VDQS areas such as Corbiers and Coteaux du Languedoc have been upgraded to AC status, with the extra quality controls that such a promotion implies. Additionally there is more winemaking freedom with the use of the vin de pays classification. This system allows the varietal name to appear on a label helping the end-consumer better understand the wines, and ultimately improving sales in export markets.
There has been a more rigorous selection in the varieties that are being planted. High yielding vines like Aramon and Charignan are being discarded in favor of better grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Mourvedre for the reds, and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, for the whites, allied to better winemaking, including carbonic maceration for red wines, and temperature controlled fermentation for whites, have made The Languedoc a source of some of the most exciting wines in France and has led to its being called France's New World.
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