Languedoc

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The geographical area stretches in an arc over 200 kilometres along the Gulf of Lion, from Nîmes to the Spanish border, across the departments of Aude, Gard, Hérault and Pyrénées-Orientales.
• The dense hydrographic network comprises some twenty coastal rivers and streams converging toward the Mediterranean, including the Vidourle, the Hérault, the Orb, the Aude, the Agly, the Tech and the Têt.
• The Mistral, a north wind, blows in the eastern part of the geographical area, while the Cers and the Tramontane, north-west winds, blow in the western part, favouring sunshine.
• Annual rainfall varies from 400 millimetres in the driest zones to 900 millimetres at the foot of the hills, and increases with altitude, distance from the sea, and from west to east.
• The geological formations comprise practically every stage between the schists of the Primary era and the Quaternary alluvium, including the alluvial terraces of the Rhône, the Hérault or the Aude, and the schists of the Montagne Noire, the Pyrenees or the Corbières.
• In the northern part, at the foot of the Cévennes, the soil is clay-limestone over folded Jurassic rock, as for the denominations Pic-Saint-Loup, Terrasses-du-Larzac and Sommières. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• In the centre of the Languedoc, on the hillsides, erosion has exposed the Ordovician schists, as in the Cabrières denomination. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The vineyard's history begins with the Greeks, seven centuries before our era, near ports such as Agde, Lattes, Narbonne or Portus Veneris, centres of settlement and trade.
• By decree of 30 April 2007, the 'Coteaux du Languedoc' appellation became 'Languedoc' and incorporated the geographical areas and parcel boundaries of seven appellations, including Corbières, Minervois, Fitou and Limoux.
• In 1960, the plan to federate the historic appellations under the name 'Coteaux du Languedoc' succeeded, this name establishing itself as the bearer of the historical and cultural values of this thousand-year-old winegrowing tradition.

• The red wines, always blended from several grape varieties, show a medium to deep colour intensity with a firm structure and ripe tannins, for an average ageing potential of 2 to 5 years.
• The rosé wines, blended from at least two grape varieties mainly Syrah, Cinsaut and Grenache, are vinified by direct pressing, short maceration or saignée, with a naturally bright hue and a fresh, round taste.
• The dry white wines, made mainly from a blend of Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino, show a pale hue and aromas of exotic fruit, citrus, white flowers or dried fruit.

• The warm, dry Mediterranean climate is described as allowing ripe tannins to develop in the red wines and favouring the characteristic roundness of the rosé and white wines.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Dénominations géographiques complémentaires

• Languedoc Cabrières AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc La Méjanelle AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Montpeyroux AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Pézenas AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Quatourze AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Saint-Christol AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Saint-Drézéry AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Saint-Georges-d'Orques AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Saint-Saturnin AOC (PDO)
• Languedoc Sommières AOC (PDO)

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 11 août 2026, JORF 15 août 2026
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVL