This incredibly diverse region produces about a quarter of all the wine made in France, but only about ten percent of its AC wines. It’s a huge area that encompasses dozens of wine styles, varieties, and microclimates.
It is also the main site of the “crise viticole.” Historically, this region has been dominated by peasant farmers who grew grapes in quantity and sold them to the local cooperative. However, with increased competition from abroad, many of these farmers have found themselves unable to make a living. Some solutions have been vine-pull schemes and mandatory distillation. A few farmers have turned to protest and sabotage to draw attention to their plight.
One approach to the crisis has been encouraging the production of high-quality wines. Carignan, the region’s workhorse grape, has greatly decreased in acreage and been replaced by more prestigious varieties.
The Languedoc-Roussillon is really two regions. The Languedoc is historically Occitan, while the Roussillon is Catalan, and the Spanish influence is evident in the wines.
Many wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon represent outstanding value, from the red wines of Faugeres to the sparkling wines of Limoux to the sweet Banyuls of the Roussillon.
– Description from
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