Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence Flashcards
Corbieres must be more than one variety
Carignan, Syrah, Grenache or Mourvedre
Minimum time Corbieres can go on the market?
One month after harvest
Carignan
A key red varietial of Languedoc: - late ripener - but ripens in the warmer parts of Languedoc - yields need to be controlled in order to get quality - can have high acidity and high tannin levels - tannin levels can be attenuated with some carbonic maceration - wine are deeply coloured Fitou, Corbieres, Minervois - a principal variety Declining in importance
Languedoc and Roussillon- History and trade
Rail development helped to open up the area, supplying basic table wine with North African wine blended in the port towns before being sold. Algerian independence and joining the EU market led to an economy collapse. Poor quality vineyards removed and planted with orchards. High yielding varieties removed and some re-planted with grapes of international appeal. Arrival of Vin de Pays legislation in the 1970’s allowed for experimentation with grape varieties and attracted trained winemakers and viticulturists from new world countries to the region. Investment continues today with 1000 estates, 285 co-operatives and 22 large negoctiants.
Climate- Languedoc and Roussillon
Mediterranean, early springs, hot dry summers, long autumns and rainy winters. The Mistral and Tramontane winds can still have an affect here, cooling what would otherwise be stifling summer heat.
Soil- Languedoc and Roussillon
Range of soil types: rich in river valleys, alluvial sand in the Rhone delta, clay and gravel in the plains. Limestone is a common factor throughout all soil types.
Grape Varieties- Languedoc and Roussillon
Similar varieties to the Rhone Valley. Carignan also grown, producing robust fruity wines when grown with lower yields. Vin de Pays have opened up the grape varieties grown. Now vast plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.
Languedoc
220,000 Ha. of vineyard, with 70% of the production going to IGP wines. Carignan, followed by Syrah and Grenache Noir are the biggest varietals grown. Cooperatives supply 2/3rd of the wine production.
Fitou AC and Corbieres AC
Fitou AOC - first AOC in Languedoc, two sub regions, Fitou Maritime, Fitou de haute Corbieres. Carignan 10-40%, GSM>20% Corbieres AOC - 10,000 Ha, largest AOC in Languedoc, Carignan + GSM > 40% are the principal varietals 90% is red production, with 50hL/Ha max, and has Corbieres-Boutenac sub appellation: no Syrah, limestone base soil, highly regarded
Languedoc ACs
Spicy, full bodied reds, blends with Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Superior areas within the AC, producing powerful wines are La Clape, Montpeyroux and Pic Saint-Loup. Picpoul de Pinet is a white wine sub appellation, made entirely from the Piquepoul Blanc grape. Wines are high in acid with an aromatic lemon character. Local co-operatives dominates production.
Minervois AC
Minervois AOC in 1985 GSM + Carignan + Cinsaut > 50% of blend No variety more than 80% Minervois La Liviniere AOC a small high quality area with its own AC within Minervois. RED wine only partial or full carbonic maceration
Faugeres AC and Saint Chinian AC
Faugères AOC Majority red wine production plus some Rose • vineyards on the foothills of the Cévennes, 250-400mRL • Homogeneous soils of schist suited for best quality reds esp. Syrah • High percentage of Organic production • Winemaking rules o 33 hL/ha avg yield (Low) o Wine must be aged for a year before release • Key producers: Léon Barral, Mas l’Olivier • 90% of wines sold in France AOC Saint Chinian () –A large AOC • Located between Faugères & Minervois, north of Béziers with 2 zones: • South: lime clay soils with good water retention -> reds with body and tannins – but less concentration • North: arid, fast draining schist soils with some estates producing some wines of higher concentration • Contains two sub zones Saint-Chinian Roqueburn, Saint-Chinian Berlou • Winemaking rules • 50% minimum of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre • As per above – North area has two more quality focussed sub zones • Key producer: Clos Bagatelle
Roussillon
Single department: Pyrenees- Orientales. Driest region in France. Major area for fortified production.
Cotes du Roussillon AC
Whole plain between Pyrenees and the sea.
Cotes du Roussillon Villages AC
Superior appellation applied to vines planted in the River Agly Valley. Red production only, higher natural alcohol than Roussillon Ac. Minimum 2 varieties in blend Syrah and/or Mourvedre must be at least 25% of the planted varieties. Carignan is the main grape, must account for no more than 50% of the vineyard area. Cinsaut and Macabeu forbidden. Resulting wine is high in acidity, deep coloured and bitter. Carbonic Maceration can be used to extract softer tannins with round fruit. Prices are low.
Limoux AC
White and red appellation in this cool, high altitude, predominately sparkling region. Muzak, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay for whites and usually blended reds of Merlot, Carignan, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Pays d’Oc
Covers Languedoc-Roussillon, Yields are controlled to 100hL/ha for Rose and 90 hL/Ha for Red & White, but growers and producers have freedom of variety and style of wine. Vintage and variety to appear on the label. Considerable planting of varieties such as Merlot (21%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay.
Vin de Pays d’Oc
Covers all the Languedoc- Roussillon area. Broken down into smaller areas such as Vin de Pays Cotes Catalans. Wine must pass a strict tasting panel to qualify. Higher grade called Grand d’Oc with yield restricted to 42 hl/ha, wine must be aged and go through a more rigourous tasting than standard Vin de Pays. Recent introduction of a new three tier quality scheme, called Seduction, Style and Collection, with Collection having to pass qualitative tasting tests. Popular as scope is broad for grape varieties and innovation, much international capital and skill invested. Large price range up to premium, often higher than local AC wine. Most important agricultural venture in the Midi, 255,000 ha in vineyard area.
Provence and Corsica- History
Ancient wine producing areas: records back to 600BC for Provence
Cotes de Provence AOC
Largest AOC in Provence. 90% of production is Rose, from Grenache Noir, Cinsaut and Tibouren at 55 hL/Ha. Rose has raspberry, red plums, herbal notes plus medium acidity, medium alcohol.
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AC
- Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC • Western side of Provence region • Roughly 4000 Ha. • Most vineyards at 400 metres • Makes similar Rose to Cotes de Provence • Max yield of 60 hL/Ha. • Counoise is an additional principal variety to Cinsaut, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Tibouren • Important influence of cooperatives but individual estates are rising such as château de Beaupré
Bandol AC
- Bandol AOC – 600ha (●●●) • South-facing terraces (restanques) inland from Bandol touristic port. • Mourvèdre is the leading variety • Reduction in vineyard area to just 600 Ha.! • Was producing more red wine than Rose which was unusual for Provence – but Rose production has recently increased in volume • Red wines o All reds must have min 18 months in cask o Hand picking only o Must be 50-95% Mourvèdre o Max. yields to 40 hL/Ha. o Quality is good to very good with outstanding examples o Prices mid-priced to super premium o Serious wines of Provence – tannic, full bodied and complex reds o Flavours of liquorice, tobacco, meaty, savoury with ageing potential
Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone and Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Produce southern Rhone styles at lower prices.
Corsica
French ruled island, closer to Italy. Vineyards situated close to the coast, inland areas too mountainous.
Vin de Corse AC
Red, white and rose production. Nielluccio and Sciacarello for red production may be blended with mainland French varieties. 50% of blend from Nielluccio, Sciacarello and Grenache. Nielluccio must take at least 33% of the vineyard space. Vermentino (Rolle in France) for whites. At least 75% of a blend, with Ugni Blanc the remainder. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown but permitted only for Vin de Pays de I’lle de Beaute production.
Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul de Pinet () • Located close to the coast on low lying land • The soils are generally sandy • The climate is warm and sunny • Grapegrowing o Dedicated entirely to growing ‘Piquepoul Blanc’ o The grapes retain acidity in the warm climate and ripen well • Winemaking AOC rules & history & style o 60 hL/Ha. Max. yield – quite high o Modern technology has allowed retention of fruity flavours and aromas o The wine style is: Green-gold colour Dry style and medium+ to high acidity Medium bodied Medium intensity of lemon fruit with light floral notes • Wine business o Dominated by cooperatives (“Ormarine”) – 90% of production o 65% is exported plus domestic is dominated by local tourist trade o UK is main export market, followed by USA
la Clape
La Clape AOC () • New AOC – 2015 • Geographically close to Narbonne city • Climate is warm, sunny, arid and windy • Fruit obtains full ripeness • Suitable for varieties such as Mourvedre • Wine production o 80% is red o Well known for White • Wine AOC rules o Whites minimum 60% Bourboulenc and/or Grenache Blanc • Key quality producer: Château la Negly
Faugeres
Faugères AOC () Majority red wine production plus some Rose • vineyards on the foothills of the Cévennes, 250-400mRL • Homogeneous soils of schist suited for best quality reds esp. Syrah • High percentage of Organic production • Winemaking rules o 33 hL/ha avg yield (Low) o Wine must be aged for a year before release • Key producers: Léon Barral, Mas l’Olivier • 90% of wines sold in France
St Chinian
AOC Saint Chinian () –A large AOC • Located between Faugères & Minervois, north of Béziers with 2 zones: • South: lime clay soils with good water retention -> reds with body and tannins – but less concentration • North: arid, fast draining schist soils with some estates producing some wines of higher concentration • Contains two sub zones Saint-Chinian Roqueburn, Saint-Chinian Berlou • Winemaking rules • 50% minimum of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre • As per above – North area has two more quality focussed sub zones • Key producer: Clos Bagatelle
Minervois
Minervois () 87% of reds, 10% rosé & 3% white • Has altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean • Most red and rose wines are Grenache, Syrah or Mourvèdre blends • AOC rules o The ‘G,S and M’ plus Carignan and Cinsaut – must be 50% o No variety exceeding 80% of blend Minervois La Liviniere • RED wine only • First sub region AOC in Minervois in 1999 • Limestone terrace of gentle slopes • Up to 400m • Altitude helps to retain acidity than lower parts of Minervois • Winemaking o Full or partial carbonic maceration • AOC rules o Red wines o The ‘G,S or M’ – must be min. 40% o Plus Carignan and Cinsaut – can be counted in making up to a min. 80% of the blend
Corbieres
CORBIERES AOC – 10,000 Ha (4th largest AOC in France) • Hilly appellation – south west of Narbonne • Vineyards on slopes up to 450 metres • 90% red production • AOC rules o 40% min. must be principal varieties o Principals are CARIGNAN, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvedre o Up to 20% other varieties (including Cinsaut) o Max. yield for all wines is 50 hL/Ha. • 70% sold in France (supermarkets), 30% is exported • Rose and white wines made • White wines o Bourboulenc o Grenache Blanc o Marsanne and Roussanne o Rolle (Vermentino) • Corbieres-Boutenac AOC o Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre – 70% minimum. o Limestone base soils o Highly regarded wines o Small AOC, 150 Ha.
Fitou
Red wine appellation on 2,204 ha/5,444 acres of languedoc vineyard in two enclaves within the corbières zone where it meets roussillon (see map under languedoc). When the boundaries of this, the first dry red wine appellation of Languedoc, were drawn up in 1948, local politics prevailed and Fitou has remained with, apparently, a great tract of Corbières bisecting it. The clay-limestone soils of Fitou Maritime, i.e. coastal Fitou, are quite different from the arguably potentially more interesting schists of Fitou Montagneux, ie mountainous Fitou, 40 minutes’ drive inland—the purity in the wines of Domaine Bertrand-Bergé argue convincingly for the virtues of a mountain climate. The low-yielding vines on the infertile soils of these Pyrenean foothills are capable of great expression, but the appellation underperformed in the 1970s and 1980s. The region is even more in the grip of co-operatives than its northern neighbour, with the Mont Tauch co-operative in Tuchan, the oldest in the Languedoc, responsible for half of all production and, for a while, performing better than many individual producers. In 2014, however, Mont Tauch narrowly avoided brankruptcy and reverted to supplying bulk wine rather than bottling and marketing their own wine. The traditional varieties Carignan and Grenache must make up 60% of the final blend with a minimum of 20% of each (this is one of the few appellations that demands a minimum Carignan component). A minimum of 10% of Syrah (better suited to Fitou Montagneux) and/or Mourvèdre (which thrives in Fitou Maritime) must be also included in the blend. The two territories demarcated for Fitou may also produce rivesaltes and muscat de rivesaltes.
Coteaux d’ Aix en Provence
Mainly dry rosé and some red wines are made, in very varied but often spectacularly situated vineyards among the lavender and garrigue of provence. The arguably too-extensive area entitled to this appellation stretches from the frontier with Les baux de provence subappellation created in 1995 in the west as far as the coteaux varois, and includes elevations varying from nearly sea level to over 400 m with considerable temperature variability. A growing total of nearly 4,000 ha/10,000 acres of vineyards produce serviceable if generally unsophisticated reds and pale pink wines for early, often local, consumption. co-operatives are relatively important here, but a number of individual estates such as Chx Calissanne, Revelette, and a revitalized Vignelaure are trying to establish a distinctive style from Grenache with Cinsaut, Mourvèdre, the local Counoise, Syrah, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Neither of the last two may make up more than 30% of a blend. A little white is made from a wide range of southern, and south west france, grape varieties. Organic viticulture has established a significant hold in this arid, mediterranean climate.
Bandol
The most serious wine of provence, typically a deep-flavoured, lush red blend dominated by the mourvèdre grape. Like châteauneuf-du-pape, Bandol produces quintessentially Mediterranean red wines which are easy to appreciate in youth despite their longevity. The appellation is named after the port from which they were once shipped all over the world. Bandol is now a Mediterranean resort town with little to offer the wine tourist, and the vineyards are on south-facing terraces well inland called locally restanques. As in the smaller appellation of cassis just along the coast, the vines are protected from the cold north winds, but have to fight property developers for their right to continued existence. A total of about 1,400 ha were cultivated in the early 2000s but in 2011 fewer than 600 ha/1,482 acres were in production, perhaps partly because of property development. This particularly well-favoured southern corner is one of the few parts of France in which Mourvèdre, the characteristic grape of Bandol, can be relied upon to ripen. Other dark-berried varieties grown include Grenache and Cinsaut, much used for the local herby rosés which can account for about three bottles of Bandol in every four some years, together with strictly limited additions of Syrah and Carignan. A small quantity of white Bandol is made from Bourboulenc, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc with a maximum of 40% Sauvignon Blanc, but little of it escapes the region’s fish restaurants. Winemaking techniques are traditional but evolving. All reds must have at least 18 months in cask and, thanks to the high proportion of Mourvèdre, at least 50%, reduction is a constant threat. Mechanical harvesting is banned. Domaine Tempier is one of the few domaines to have a well-established market outside France but the likes of Domaines de la Bégude and de la Tour du Bon, and Chx La Rouvière, Pibarnon, Pradeaux, and Vannières have all made fine wines.
Rolle
Officially accepted alternative southern French name for the increasingly popular vermentino used traditionally in bellet and parts of Languedoc-Roussillon. dna profiling has shown it to be distinct from rollo.
Provence (108,051 acres / 43,728 hectares)
Rosé: The most productive region for rosé in all of France (if not the world), Provence delivers boatloads of delicate, onion-skin colored dry rosé wines with notes of strawberry, watermelon, and crunchy celery. Check out Côtes de Provence for great quality. Mourvèdre: The tiny region of Bandol produces a deeply black red wine with notes of black plum, roasted meats, and Provençal herbs. Wines easily age for 10–20 years.
Languedoc- Climate and Geography
The great majority of the Languedoc’s vines (and virtually all of those which have been ripped out recently) are or were planted on the flat, low-lying alluvial plain, particularly in the southern Hérault and Gard. In the northern Hérault and western Aude, however, vines may be planted several hundred metres above sea level, in the foothills of the Cévennes and the Corbières Pyrenean foothills, sometimes at quite an angle and on very varied soils which can include gravels and limestone. The climate in all but the far western limits of the Languedoc (where Atlantic influence is apparent) is definitively mediterranean and one of the major viticultural hazards is drought. Annual rainfall is often as little as 400 mm/15.6 in by the coast. July and August temperatures often exceed 30 °C/86 °F; such rain as does fall tends to fall in the form of localized deluges. wind is common throughout the growing season, with the tramontane bringing cool air from the mountains.
Languedoc- Viticulture
The Languedoc is the land of the proud peasant farmer. The size of the average holding is small, and usually much divided between parcels inherited from various different branches of the family. Basic, straggling bush vines still predominate, although an increasing proportion of vines, especially the newer international varieties, are being trained on wires. irrigation is theoretically permitted only within strictly specified limits, and in practice only the best and the worst producers tend to have any form of available irrigation system. The flatter, larger vineyards lend themselves to mechanical harvesting but their parcellation, and ripping out, has slowed the inevitable invasion. The region is by no means free of fungal diseases and some sprayings are usually necessary.
Languedoc- Vine Varieties
The dominant late-20th-century vine variety carignan has been definitively routed by the vine pull scheme of the eu, and by 2011 was only the third most planted variety in the Languedoc after Syrah and then Grenache Noir. Merlot, grown mainly for IGP wines, covered almost as much ground as Carignan, with Cabernet Sauvignon, not nearly as much at home here as Merlot, some way behind. The ever-changing regulations of most red wine appellations in the Languedoc specify various combinations of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre with declining proportions of Carignan, and most often, usually as minor blending ingredients, Cinsaut (especially good for rosés and fruity reds) and the Grenache relative lladoner, or Lledoner, Pelut. By far the most planted white wine grape, though even less common than Cabernet Sauvignon, is Chardonnay, used for both varietal IGP wines and the still and sparkling wines of Limoux. Sauvignon Blanc is the next most planted and Viognier fourth most popular white wine grape—further signs of how important international varieties are to white wine production here. Each white wine appellation has a different cocktail of preferred ingredients from a palette of traditional pale-skinned Languedoc varieties which include Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Maccabéo, Picquepoul Blanc, and Vermentino, although Roussanne, and Marsanne are also specified occasionally.
Languedoc- Winemaking
With some high-profile exceptions, winery equipment and techniques are still relatively unsophisticated in the Languedoc, where selling prices have rarely been high enough to justify major investment. destemming equipment, for example, was widely regarded as a luxury until this century, and new oak barrels beyond the means of most producers. (In any case, the fruit is so intense in many red wines that, like the same varieties in the southern Rhône, they do not necessarily benefit from new, small oak.) The great majority of Languedoc wine is made in one of the co-operative cellars that still dominate production and whose will to make good-quality wine varies considerably. Fermentation and élevage typically take place in large concrete cuves, although stainless steel is slowly invading the region. Partly in an effort to tame the natural astringency of Carignan, full or partial carbonic maceration was for long the most common red winemaking technique. bottling often takes place at a merchant’s cellar rather than on the premises where the wine was made. The wine container most frequently seen by the consumer in the region is probably the road tanker (a high proportion of the locals buy their wine in bulk rather than bottle). For more specific information, see the individual appellations cabardès, clairette du languedoc, corbières, faugères, fitou, languedoc aoc, limoux, malepère, minervois, Picpoul de Pinet, and st-chinian, and also the vin de liqueur cartagène, and various muscat vins doux naturels.
Midi
Common name for the south of France. Like ‘Mezzogiorno’ in Italy, it means literally ‘midday’ and refers to regions where midday is a time of extreme heat and inactivity, at least in summer. Midi is often used synonymously with languedoc and roussillon, although strictly speaking the Midi encompasses provence as well.
Les Baux de Provence
A spectacular and famous small hilltop settlement in the far west of provence dominated by Michelin-starred restaurants and their customers’ cars gives its name to a local appellation contrôlée created in 1995 and substantially amended since. In the far north west, effectively on limestone rubble from the craggy Alpilles chain, Les Baux is slightly warmer and wetter than much of coteaux d’aix-en-provence from which it was ceded and the rules are stricter—possibly too strict. Red wines are made, from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes, which must together make up at least 60% of the blend, together with Cinsaut, Counoise, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon (which last must represent no more than 20% of the total, thus excluding the area’s best estate, Domaine de Trévallon, from the appellation). Cinsaut takes the place of Mourvèdre in the rosés, which make up about a fifth of the appellation. Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Vermentino are the principal grapes for the new white version, although some Marsanne and Roussanne may be included in the blend. Even more significant however is that the growers (unsuccessfully) asked that their appellation regulations should be the first in France to specify organic viticulture. The Mistral helps to keep the vines healthy.
Terrasses du Larzac
The highest named terroir in the languedoc was promoted to full aoc status for its distinctive reds in 2014. The elevation of these foothills of the Cévennes entails dramatic temperature variation, sometimes as much as 20 °C/36 °F between day and night. The decidedly infertile soils include clay, limestone, pebbles, and shingle. The required blend of Languedoc grape varieties is dominated by Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre with, possibly, some Cinsaut and Carignan.
Bellet
Historic, distinctive, but minute appellation in the far south east of provence whose total vineyard area had by 2011 fallen to 50 ha/125 acres in the hills above Nice. It takes determination to find a bottle outside the Côte d’Azur, and even greater determination to find the vineyards themselves perched about 300 m/980 ft above the Mediterranean up the Var valley in the city’s hinterland. Almost equal quantities of all three colours are produced. The scented, full-bodied whites made from the local Rolle (Vermentino) grapes with some Chardonnay and occasionally Bourboulenc are the appellation’s most distinctive wines, and reflect well the mesoclimate of these hillside vineyards, which is slightly cooler than in much of the rest of Provence. Rosés may be made from braquet (while the intriguing Folle Noire (Fuella) is traditional for red wines, although it is often supplemented by Cinsaut and occasionally Grenache.
Cassis
Small, mainly white wine appellation in provence. The encroachment of Greater Marseilles on this old fishing village keeps total plantings to just under 190 ha/470 acres in this sheltered amphitheatre, protected from the mistral by the Cap Canaille to the east, one of the highest cliffs in France. Three-quarters of the wine is full, dry, herby white, made mainly from Clairette and Marsanne. A little rosé and even less red are also made, mainly from Mourvèdre (which ripens easily here—see nearby bandol), Grenache, and Cinsaut.
Palette
Miniature appellation of just 43 ha/106 acres in 2005 in provence in the hills east of Aix-en-Provence. The appellation is a relatively old one, created in 1948 in recognition of a distinctive limestone outcrop on the north-facing bank of the River Arc. A single property, Ch Simone, produces most of the wine, and for many years was responsible for the most serious wine of the appellation. For seven generations, Ch Simone has been in the Rougier family, who continue to respect the traditional winemaking techniques, involving very old vines, prolonged fermentation, and barrel maturation using very little new wood. field blends of southern vine varieties make extremely dense, long-lived reds, full-bodied rosés, and characterful white wines which belie modern white winemaking philosophy. The indigenous varieties permitted are even more numerous than those allowed in châteauneuf-du-pape.
Cabardes
Languedoc appellation (since 1999) of 590 ha/1,457 acres to the north of Carcassonne which produces red and some rosé wines that testify to its location on the cusp of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences. The grape varieties planted also represent a Bordeaux/Languedoc cocktail of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cot (Malbec), and some Fer Servadou (of marcillac fame), spiced and fleshed out with the more meridional Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsaut (mainly for rosé). The Bordelais varieties tend to prosper on the western, wetter, deeper soils, while wines produced from the hotter, shallower soils of the eastern Cabardès are more likely to have a high proportion of Mediterranean varieties. Winds almost constantly buffet the small hills punctuated by pines and garrigue, and minimize the local wine producers’ dependence on agrochemicals. In contrast to the somewhat similar Côtes de la malepère to the south of Carcassonne, production here is mainly in the hands of a small but committed band of individuals constrained by low financial returns. Winemaking equipment and methods are not always the most sophisticated, but the wines boast an originality and potential for longevity that is unusual for this part of France (which officials tend to classify as south west france rather than the languedoc to which its immediate eastern neighbour the Minervois belongs).
Languedoc AOC
Previously known as Coteaux du Languedoc, varied and probably too extensive appellation whose zone includes some of France’s best-value vineyards and most of the land suitable for growing vines above the coastal plain in a swathe through the Hérault département from Narbonne towards Nîmes. This territory was once known as Septimanie and is in effect a giant south-facing amphitheatre, although of course there are many local variations in topography. As elsewhere in the Languedoc, much of the land technically included within the appellation is used for other purposes (other crops, igp, or vsig wine, for example). The total vineyard area dedicated to producing Coteaux du Languedoc by 2000 was about 10,000 ha/24,799 acres, a considerable increase on the 6,500 ha declared in the early 1990s, and remained pretty constant for the first decade of this century, despite the region’s enthusiastic vine pull scheme. Although much of the zone qualifies for the basic Languedoc appellation, a number of subappellations, crus, or specific terroirs have been identified and are allowed to append their own name to that of the appellation on labels. picpoul de pinet established its own appellation and identity in 2013 and terrasses du larzac followed in 2014. Other subappellations waiting with particular impatience for independent existence are cabrières, La clape, grés de montpellier, la méjanelle, montpeyroux, pézenas, pic-st-loup, quatourze, st-christol, st-drézéry, st-georges-d’orques, st-saturnin, and sommières.
Provence
Cotes de Provence AOP Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOP Les Baux-de-Provence AOP Palette AOP Cassis AOP Bandol AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence AOP Bellet/ Vin de Bellet AOP Pierrevert AOP
