Languedoc has reinvented itself, thanks to two generations of talented winemakers. iDealwine regulars already know this, as wines from this region are highly acclaimed on our website – including among our own team members! Languedoc winemakers have carved out a true shared identity for their region, without overshadowing the unique personalities of each appellation or sector – quite the opposite, in fact. Today, Languedoc is regarded as having distinctive wine-producing areas, with some common features. The hierarchy of terroirs within Languedoc has become progressively more precise… to the point where it has left consumers somewhat confused Where do powerful Languedoc wines come from, where are the more supple ones produced, what about the fruity ones, and so on? Which grape varieties are used in this southern region? Which wines offer great ageing potential? We’ll answer these questions and try to shed some light on the region as we introduce you to a few of our favourite estates along the way.

Grape varieties grown in the Languedoc

Many grape varieties grow in Languedoc. The appellations’ specifications stipulate a wide range of varieties, and when they don’t state a variety winemakers wish to you, they don’t hesitate to reclassify their wines as IGP (Protected Geographic Indication) so they can produce the blend they want. Because that’s also what Languedoc is all about, a mosaic of freedom where winemakers break free from conventions to craft bold, distinctive wines.

To begin with, 75% of the wines produced in Languedoc are red. The most commonly planted grape variety here is Syrah, incredibly popular in the Rhône Valley, which is able to withstand the heat and drought of the Languedoc climate. This is evidenced by the magnificent cuvée Syrah Léone from Domaine Peyre-Rose. Grape varieties also found in the Rhône Valley such as Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Mourvèdre are planted alongside Carignan, the quintessential Languedoc variety. There are also Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and the occasional Cabernet Franc, as well as Pinot Noir, Marselan, Alicante and Caladoc, etc.

Chardonnay, which has gone from covering 1,000 to 14,400 hectares in 20 years, was the first white grape variety to be planted in the Languedoc. This is followed by Muscat, Sauvignon, Viognier, Grenache (both Blanc and Gris), Vermentino, Macabeu, Piquepoul, Colombard, Roussanne, Mauzac, Ugni Blanc and Marsanne.

Languedoc’s hierarchy: From wines without a geographical indication to AOPs, a structure where diversity is the key word

Wines from the Languedoc region are organised on several levels: those without an IG (Geographic Indication), those with a IGP and those with an AOP (Protected Designation of Origin).

Each level naturally has its own set of rules, and in Languedoc, diversity is just about everywhere! There’s something for every wine lover out there!

Wines without a geographic indication

Wines without a Geographical Indication, commonly named ‘vins de France’, replace what used to be known as ‘vins de table’. Unlike IGPs or AOPs, these wines are not heavily connected to the vineyards where the grapes are grown and can come from any wine region across France. They are not subject to maximum yields per hectare. And they can also offer winegrowers absolute freedom of expression.

IGPs (Protected Geographic Indication)

• IGP Pays d’Oc

With 120,000 hectares, this is the largest designation in Languedoc-Roussillon. It can be produced in four départements (Gard, Hérault, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales) and in six villages in the department of Lozère. IGP Pays d’Oc wines are primarily varietal wines (Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, etc.).

• IGP Sud de France

The IGP Sud de France area covers the three departments of Aude, Hérault and Gard. These resolutely modern and innovative wines, deeply rooted in a centuries-old viticultural region, are the fruit of the hard work and creativity of passionate winegrowers who enjoy greater flexibility in their production methods

There are three IGPs within the IGP Sud de France (IGP Aude, IGP Hérault, and IGP Gard) and 16 regional IGPs: Cité de Carcassonne, Coteaux de Narbonne, Coteaux de Peyriac, Coteaux d’Ensérune, Coteaux de Béziers, Coteaux du Pont du Gard, Côtes de Thau, Côtes de Thongue, Haute, Vallée de l’Aude, Haute Vallée de l’Orb, Vicomté d’Aumelas, Pays Cathare, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Vallée du Paradis, and Vallée du Torgan.

La Grange des Pères, one of the Languedoc’s most recognised estates, has opted to classify its wines under the IGP Hérault label.

Languedoc’s protected designation of origins

Whether it’s an appellation set against the foothills of the Cévennes, nestling at the foot of the Pyrenees, clinging to the Corbières Massif mountains, tucked away in an amphitheatre on the Montagne Noire, or gently sloping towards the ponds… no two wines are alike across the 35,000 hectares that are home to the Languedoc’s appellations, even if there has been one constant since ancient times: the Mediterranean.

With its 21 AOPs and 13 DGCs (Dénominations Géographiques Complémentaires, additional geographical denominations to identify wines produced in a smaller area than the AOP), Languedoc’s AOPs showcase the diversity of all the region’s flavours. Winemakers and wine merchants all strive to highlight the identity of their terroirs. Again, the appellations are structured in a way so that they can show off all their best qualities.

The Languedoc AOP classification includes:

> The Languedoc regional appellation (AOP Languedoc) and its Additional Geographical Denominations (DGC such as Languedoc Montpeyroux, Languedoc Grès de Montpellier, Languedoc Pézenas, etc.).

> Sub-regional appellations (AOP Saint-Chinian, AOP Limoux, AOP Pic Saint Loup, AOP Terrasses du Larzac, etc.).

> Communal appellations (AOP Boutenac, AOP Minervois La Livinière, etc.)

The regional appellation: Languedoc AOP

This appellation was introduced in 2007 and replaces the ‘Coteaux du Languedoc’ appellation that can still be found on many labels of older vintages.

The Dénominations Géographiques Complémentaires (DGC) of the AOP Languedoc

These are eleven identified terroirs that can be added alongside the Languedoc appellation: Languedoc Quartoze, Languedoc Pézenas, Languedoc Grès de Montpellier, Languedoc Sommières, Languedoc Cabrières, Languedoc Saint-Saturnin, Languedoc Montpeyroux, Languedoc Saint-Georges-d’Orques, Languedoc La Méjanelle, Languedoc Saint-Drézéry, and Languedoc Saint-Christol.

Let’s take a closer look at three of these, which include some of the finest wines from the Languedoc region:

Languedoc Pézenas: Sitting on the right bank of the Hérault river, sandwiched between the Massif Central and Pézenas, its very warm terroir covers 15 villages. Here, a number of winemakers perform remarkably well, producing wines of great distinction. Domaine des Aurelles is one worth looking out for.

Languedoc Grès de Montpellier: This vast area lies close to the Mediterranean Sea near Montpellier. A submission to become a fully-fledged sub-regional appellation has been filed with the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine) and is currently being reviewed. This is where Domaine Peyre-Rose produces its exceptional wines.

Languedoc Montpeyroux: This area is actually part of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation, which some winemakers continue to promote. Here, you’ll find some remarkable estates such as Domaine d’Aupilhac or Domaine Alain Chabanon.

Sub-region appellations

There are 10 sub-region AOPs.

1. Cabardès AOP: Here you will find red and rosé wines produced above the city of Carcassonne and made from oceanic grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet, as well as Mediterranean varieties.
2. Clairette du Languedoc AOP: Dry white wines made from Clairette grapes grown west of Montpellier.
3. Corbières AOP: This vast appellation stretches over 10,000 hectares and covers 87 towns and villages, producing white, rosé and red wines. Here, a handful of winemakers – such as Domaine Maxime Magnon – stand out from the crowd. Recently, some very fine whites have been produced from the higher altitude terroirs.
4. Limoux Blanc AOP
5. and Limoux Rouge AOP: Whether still or sparkling, white wines, which account for the majority of the production, are produced from three grape varieties: Mauzac, Chardonnay and Chenin. Sparkling wines fall under three separate AOPs: Limoux Blanquette de Limoux, Limoux Méthode Ancestrale, and Crémant de Limoux.
6. Malepère AOP: This AOP established in 2007 is the most oceanic appellation in the Languedoc. Red and rosé wines produced here are blended from Bordeaux grape varieties (Merlot and Cabernet) and Mediterranean grape varieties (Grenache and Cinsaut).
7. Pic-Saint-Loup AOP: This relatively new AOP was created in 2017 and is the most northerly of the region, with one of the coolest climates in the Languedoc, centred around the famous Pic-Saint-Loup mountain. The appellation is home to numerous limestone terroirs and Syrah vines, which are widely planted in the area, producing remarkably well-balanced wines. Some of our absolute favourites include wines produced by the excellent Domaine Clos Marie and Ermitage du Pic-Saint-Loup.
8. Picpoul-de-Pinet AOP: This AOP exclusively produces white wines, made from 100% Piquepoul Blanc grapes, planted on marl, sand and limestone soils. This vineyard, originally planted some 2000 years ago, overlooks the Etang de Thau Basin.
9. Saint-Chinian AOP: This appellation consists of two very distinct areas. To the south, a limestone terrain is home to some of the appellation’s finest estates, Canet-Valette and Mas Champart, and on the other end, soil mostly made from schist. The Saint-Chinian AOP includes Saint-Chinian-Berlou and Saint Chinian-Roquebrun, two DGCs.
10. Terrasses du Larzac AOP: The appellation is located in the Hérault Valley, and spreads over a number of very different areas, generally at higher altitudes, with soils ranging from limestone and marl to rolled pebbles. The blend must include at least two grape varieties from among Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault. This appellation is home to some of the greatest names in the Languedoc region: Montcalmès on the left bank of the Hérault river, Mas Jullien and Domaine de la Pèira near Jonquières.

Commune appellations

Languedoc’s commune appellations each bear the name of a town or village and are restricted to a limited number of communes (no more than 10). Languedoc possesses five such appellations.

1. Boutenac AOP: Spread over just 220 hectares, it brings together winemakers who cultivate a superb clay-limestone terroir rich in iron oxide, where the magnificent Carignan grapes are vinified as red wines only…
2. Faugères AOP: The appellation primarily produces red wines, although it has also been authorised to produce white wines since 2005. The reds are elegant and age well. They mainly consist of Syrah (from schist terroirs), Mourvèdre and Carignan. Domaine Léon Barral is a particularly noteworthy example.
3. Fitou AOP: Created in 1948, this is the oldest red AOP in Languedoc. Wines produced here are rich and offer a fine structure. Some of the winemakers here are producing increasingly interesting bottles.
4. La Clape AOP: Located in the eponymous Mediterranean massif which was a craggy island some 600 years ago, La Clape (meaning ‘heap of pebbles’ in Occitan, the local language) is the birthplace to some fine white wines and structured reds. These include Château de la Négly and its niche cuvées (Clos des Truffiers etc.).
5. Minervois La Livinière AOP: This AOP, approved in 1999, brings together a group of talented winemakers who produce wines with a round, flavoursome style.

Lightly fortified wines – Vins Doux Naturels (VDN)

You’re probably already well aware that the Languedoc region produces some of the world’s finestfortified sweet wines. Vins Doux Naturels are sweet, fortified wines crafted following a highly specific technique known as “mutage”, a term derived from French (muté = silent) for stopping the fermentation process by adding alcohol to the fermenting must. In other words, mutage means that the transformation of sugars into alcohol, is stopped, allowing the sugars to remain in the wine. 

Among the five Vins Doux Naturels appellations in the Languedoc, two stand out: 

• Muscat de Lunel AOP: Produced in four communes, Lunel, Lunel-Viel, Saturargues and Vérargues, this sweet wine originates from mostly layered stony soils. 
• Muscat de Mireval AOP: This appellation stretches over two communes, Mireval and Vic-la-Gardiole, with clay-limestone soils where the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains grape variety flourishes. Wines produced here are entirely white, and they are slowly gaining recognition compared to the neighbouring Frontignan, recognised by wine lovers some time ago already. 

Auction trends 2023

France’s leading wine producing region, Languedoc is a multi-faceted area overflowing with an outstanding variety of wines. And wine lovers have certainly been quick to catch on, flocking back year after year eager to sample the delights offered by new talented producers from what promises to be a gold mine in the French winemaking landscape.

While the region contributes significant volumes (nearly 10M hl), representing just over 20% of total French production, at auction the reality is markedly different. The share of Languedoc wines traded on iDealwine in 2023 dropped, both in terms of volume (1.3% of the total auctioned) and value, with the average price falling from €111 in 2022 to €90 in 2023.

Grange des Pères: A jewel at rest

La Grange des Pères is the most iconic Languedoc estate at auction. The average price of its wines sold at auction in 2023 continued this downward trend (settling at €286 per bottle, compared with €359 in 2022), with the estate’s early vintages driving this average. A bottle from 1992, Laurent Vaillé’s first vintage, obtained €4,507 in October 2023, the regional annual record. In 2023, the volume of the estate’s wines seen at auction fell, with about one hundred fewer bottles passing through iDealwine’s doors.

Four success factors for Languedoc wines at auction

Four points stand out in these rankings, defining the factors behind the success of wines from this region at auction.

• 1. The terroir and its altitude

In this regard, the Plateau du Larzac gets all the plaudits. Indeed, 7 of the 20 most auctioned estates from the Languedoc-Roussillon region come from this particular area. These include La Grange des Pères, Mas Daumas Gassac, Mas Jullien, Montcalmès, Bergerie de l’Arcade, Domaine des Creisses and Domaine Vaïsse. The Aniane and Montpeyroux areas are also highly popular with wine lovers.

• 2. The winemaker’s personality

Pioneers in the region such as Aimé Guibert (Mas Daumas Gassac) and Laurent Vaillé have acted as a driving force for the entire area, encouraging young winemakers to try their hand at establishing businesses with the aim of producing quality wines. As a result, a number of names close to, or inspired by, the genius of Laurent Vaillé have made their way into the rankings. This applies, for example, to Frédéric Pourtalié (Montcalmès, in 5th place), Bergerie de l’Arcade (in 6th), Maxime Renaudin (in 8th postition in the Top 20 bottle rankings) and Domaine Vaïsse (in 12th). Marlène Soria (Peyre Rose, in 4th) is another notable player.

• 3. The size of the region

The surface area under vine plays a major role in the success of the wines. And rarity always increases when production is limited, and wines are hard to find. Economically, it’s as unfair as it is irrational, but microscopic estates were the subject of a veritable treasure hunt in 2023. And this could become a strategy. The leading producer in the region, Gérard Bertrand has successfully made his mark with a wine that stands apart from the rest of his production – Clos d’Ora – 9 hectares in Minervois La Livinière which he cultivates following biodynamic methods. Its 2015 vintage went for €149 in January 2023.

• 4. Cultivation methods

While a number of leading winemakers have opted not to submit to the constraints of a certification all the while practising sustainable viticulture, the percentage of estates employing organic or biodynamic methods is significant in the Languedoc auction rankings. And the region lends itself to this approach, with its warm, windswept climate (such as the Tramontane wine) more likely to prevent the onset of rot and disease than in other regions where humidity wreaks havoc. In fact, there are 11 organic (and, where applicable, biodynamic) producers in the rankings of the best-selling bottles for the Languedoc and Roussillon regions, not to mention a handful of natural wines (Pedres Blanques, Léon Barral). Organic/biodynamic wines represent more than 30% of the volumes sold in 2023.

All of our Languedoc wines for sale on iDealwine