The Languedoc Wine Region (10 Best Bottles, Prices, Wine Styles)

by Anthony Zhang

The Languedoc wine region to the South of France is home to leading winemakers who’ve combined traditional and modern techniques to revitalize the region’s wine production.

The region is home to a variety of good-value red, white, and sparkling wine styles, including some of France’s best organic wine.

In this article, we’ll take a tour of the Languedoc Roussillon wine region, its grape varieties and appellations, wine styles, 10 best Languedoc wine bottles (with tasting notes),investment opportunities, and more.

Languedoc Wine Region: History And Terroir

The Languedoc Roussillon wine region is located in southern France, along the Mediterranean coast. The Languedoc makes up approximately 90% of the territory, while Roussillon occupies the other 10%.

Historically, the Languedoc wine region was well-known for producing affordable table wines. By the 1900s, it was the biggest producer of table wine in France (21 million hectoliters.)

However, since the 1980s, many producers and vignerons started shifting their focus from quantity to quality. Today, the region implements sustainable vineyard management and modern winemaker techniques to produce high-quality wines.

The region’s climate is characterized by hot summers and mild autumns, springs, and winters.

The cool climate and strong winds help prevent pests and disease, which is why the region can sustain a high level of organic wine production.

The soils have mainly clay and limestone deposits with some schist, shale, granite, pebbles, and sandstone. Many of the regions’ top wines come from the rocky soils of mountain foothills.

Languedoc Wine Region Appellations And Grape Varieties

Here are the main appellations and grape varieties of the Languedoc Roussillon wine region:

There are 10 sub-regional wine appellations that mainly grow Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Picpoul, Lledoner Pelut and Mourvedre grapes:

AOC Cabardès (red, rosé)
AOC Clairette du Languedoc (white)
AOC Corbières (red, white, rosé)
AOC Limoux (still wines; red, white)
AOC Malepère (red, rosé)
AOC Minervois (red, white, rosé)
AOC Picpoul de Pinet (white)
AOC Pic Saint-Loup (red, rosé)
AOC Saint-Chinian (red, white, rosé)
AOC Terrasses du Larzac (red)

There are five village wine appellations that grow Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and some Carignan and Cinsault grapes:

AOC Corbières Boutenac (red)
AOC Faugères (red, white, rosé)
AOC Fitou (red)
AOC La Clape (red, white)
AOC Minervois la Livinière (red)

There are four sweet wine appellations that mainly grow the Muscat grape variety. These include:

AOC Muscat de Frontignan (white)
AOC Muscat de Lunel (white)
AOC Muscat de Mireval (white)
AOC Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois (white)

There are three sparkling wine appellations that predominantly grow Mauzac grapes and some Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir:

AOC Blanquette de Limoux (white)
AOC Crémant de Limoux (white, rosé)
AOC Blanquette de Limoux Méthode Ancestrale (white)

Some other grape varieties grown across the Languedoc Roussillon region include Bourboulenc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Malbec, and Roussanne.

Wine Styles From The Languedoc Wine Region

Here are the leading Languedoc Roussillon wine styles:

Red wine: The Languedoc AOC produces red blends made with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Red wine makes up 60% of the region’s total wine production.
White wine: White wines account for 20% of the region's total wine production. These white wines are unoaked and zesty and made mainly with Picpoul and Grenache Blanc.
Rosé wine: Pink winesmake up 19% of the region’s wine production and are produced using Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault.
Sparkling wine:Blanquette de Limoux and Blanquette de Limoux Méthode Ancestrale are made with mostly Mauzac and some Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.

Cremant de Limoux wines are made mainly with Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc grapes and some Pinot Noir and Mauzac. Sparklers only make up 5% of the region’s production.

Sweet wine: Lastly, 2% of the region’s wine production goes to sweet Muscat-based vins doux naturels.

10 Best Languedoc Wine Bottles

Here are the 10 best Languedoc bottles along with their wine tasting notes:

2001 Domaine Le Clos des Fees Cotes du Roussillon Village La Petite Siberie
2012 Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux Brut
1987 L'Etoile Banyuls Grand Cru
1979 La Coume du Roy Maury
2018 Fortant Terroir d'Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Gérard Bertrand Languedoc Cabrieres 'Clos du Temple' Rose
1997 Domaine de la Grange des Peres Blanc
2000 Domaine Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Oro Blanc
1993 Domaine de la Grange des Peres
2013 Antech Cremant de Limoux Elixir Millesime

1. 2001 Domaine Le Clos des Fees Cotes du Roussillon Village La Petite Siberie ($727)

This classic blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre, has delicious prune, blackcurrant, and licorice aromas. The palate has slightly chewy tannins and a lingering violet and vanilla finish.

2. 2012 Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux Brut ($16)

Produced in the Blanquette de Limoux appellation, this bright sparkler has clean aromas of green apples and lemons and notes of pear and brioche. The palate has stone fruit flavors and low acidity, making it a great wine for a casual brunch.

3. 1987 L'Etoile Banyuls Grand Cru ($126)

This French wine is a rare red blend with flavors of caramel, raspberry, and coffee. You’ll also notice the wine’s pronounced tobacco notes, medium tannins, and long finish.

4. 1979 La Coume du Roy Maury ($284)

Made from the Grenache grape variety, this fortified wine opens with a bouquet of sweet berries, blackcurrant, and raisin. The wine’s chocolate and oaky notes ensure it pairs excellently with chocolate-based desserts.

5. 2018 Fortant Terroir d'Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon ($12)

This Vin de pays d'Oc wine has aromas of blackberry and cedar and notes of tobacco. The palate features dark cherry flavors and leather minerality. This wine is a fantastic addition to a casual dinner.

6. 2018 Gérard Bertrand Languedoc Cabrieres 'Clos du Temple' Rose ($191)

This is a complex blend of Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Mourvedre, and Cinsault. It’s a lovely Rosé winewith delicious white peach and coconut flavors that pair exquisitely with rich chicken and turkey dishes.

7. 1997 Domaine de la Grange des Peres Blanc ($1,117)

This classic Southern Rhone white blend features a beautiful bouquet of distinct honey, oak, and buttery peach flavors. The 1997 vintage is an excellent bottle to try out during a wine tourism visit to the Languedoc.

8. 2000 Domaine Peyre Rose Coteaux du Languedoc Oro Blanc ($115)

Glistening gold in color, this white wine has lacy flavors of honey, citrus blossom, and orange marmalade. This elegant white wine deserves a place on the table during a classy meal.

9. 1993 Domaine de la Grange des Peres ($3,949)

Deep ruby in color, this 1993 vintage is an outstanding and bold dry red wine with a dark cherry aroma and cooked plum flavors.

10. 2013 Antech Cremant de Limoux Elixir Millesime ($28)

Produced in the Cremant de Limoux appellation, this Chardonnay, Chenin, Mauzac, Pinot blend features a pronounced aroma of white flowers, honeyed apples, and hints of nutty biscuits.

On the palate, you’ll notice roasted fruit flavors and balanced acidity.

Should You Invest In Languedoc Wine?

If you want to invest in fine wines, it’s a good idea to partner with a reliable wine investment company like Vinovest. With their AI-based platform, you can buy, store, and sell any fine wine easily.

Languedoc wines have decent aging potential, but most of them are best drunk young.

Some bottles from the Languedoc Roussillon region have excellent price appreciation. For example, the 1997 Domaine de la Grange des Peres Blanc price went up by a whopping 482%, from $194 in 2020 to $1,130 in 2021.

Some of these bottles also perform well at auctions. For example, four bottles of Domaine de La Grange des Pères, Vin de Pays de l'Hérault 2006 and eight bottles of the 2007 vintage were sold for $1,800 at a Christie’s auction.