Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine region in the world and also known as the ‘Australia’ of France. This area begins west of the city of Nimes to Perpignan (Languedoc). Roussillon is between Perpignan and the Spanish border. The vineyards between the Mediterranean sea and the wine slopes supply the so called Vin de Pays wines. The better vineyards you find on the slopes where the Cevennes pass into the low-lying landscape. Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest supplier of the Vin de Pays wines and also the largest producer of the Vins Doux Naturels.
The vineyards can be roughly divided into:
1. Around the city of Montpellier (Hérault), the Grenache grape is the most common and Syrah is well underway. Here you’ll find Vin de Pays Coteaux du Languedoc wines.
Vin Doux Naturels be made of Muscat. The appellations are: Muscat de Lunel, Muscat de Frontignan and Muscat de Mireval.
2. Around the town of Béziers (Gard), here you'll find huge vineyards that supply Vin de Pays wines. The white wines are easy drinking, fresh and a little greasy. There are two appellations: Picpoul de Pinet and Clairette du Languedoc. Robust reds found along a Roses in Faugeres, Saint-Chinian and Minervois.
Vin Doux Naturels are made from the Muscat and Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois is the local appellation.
3. Around the city of Narbonne (Aude) you’ll find the appellations Fitou, Corbières, Côtes Malepère and Limoux (sparkling wine) to. Vin Doux Naturels Muscat has made the local appellation Muscat de Rivesaltes.
4. Around the city of Perpignan (Pyrénées Orientales), Roussillon. Under the influence of the Pyrenees Roussillon wines differ clearly from the Languedoc. Collioure is the local appellation of Perpignan, delivers fiery reds.
There are several Vin Doux Naturels to be found: Rivesaltes, Banyuls Grand Roussillon.
• Rivesaltes is made of grapes, allowing several different colors of the wine created: Blanc de Blancs (white grapes), Rosé (Grenache Red Grape) and Rouge (Grenache grape quarters complemented with other red grapes). Additional information on the label may include Ambre (Rivesaltes white, aged at least two years, brownish-yellow color), tuile (red Rivesaltes, aged at least two years, orange), Hors d'Age (white or red and Rivesaltes minium five years maturity) and Rancio (old Rivesaltes oxidised, at least six years aging in casks in the open).
• Grand Roussillon Vin Doux Naturels is a regional appellation from Roussillon.
• Banyuls is the most southern and against the Spanish border. Grenache is the main grape. There are four types of Banyuls: dark (Rimage) are bottled young, orange (see the most), straw yellow and gold (made from the best grapes). Banyuls Grand Cru is a special Rancio one.
Wine / food combination Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc:
• The white wines: seafood, Bourride (Provencal fish soup) and grilled fish
• The red wines go well with hearty dishes: chicken, lamb stew, country pâté, red meat and spicy cheese
• Dessert wines served at a temperature of 10 degrees: exotic fruits, fruit cakes and Roquefort
Roussillon:
• Red wines: game, red meat, spicy food and cheese
• White dessert wines: fruit, melon ice cream and cake
• Red Banyuls: walnut cakes, chocolate desserts,
