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The region of Languedoc-Roussillon stretches from the
Camargue to the Spanish
border but, although grouped together, these two
regions have a separate history. Languedoc to the
east takes it name from the language that was spoken,
Oc, and compromises the
départments
of Gard, Hérault and Aude. Roussillon formed
part of the Kingdom of Majorca, hence its Spanish
influence. Affordable land in the
Languedoc-Roussillon, historically France’s
largest wine production area, has allowed many young,
enigmatic and adventurous vignerons to make their mark
here. Viticultural conditions are near perfect
with many hours of sunshine, low rainfall and the
bracing Tramontane wind
drying the fruit and cleaning the vines – not
unlike the Mistral in the Rhône.
Moving from East to West in this region:- the wines of Château
Roubaud, in Costières de Nîmes, are
among the most highly rated of the region and are
frequent medal winners at wine competitions in Paris.
Here, Guillaume Molinier has two Grenache-based
red wines, not unlike Châteauneuf du Pape in
style but at half the price, an excellent white wine
from Roussanne/Grenache Blanc and a full-bodied,
versatile rose. In Pic St Loup, to the north of
Montpellier, the Bruguière family have been
making wine since the Revolution and their wines
reflect the amazing value for money to be found in
the Languedoc. Whilst at Domaine de la
Peyrificade, bordering the Bassin de Thau just to the southwest of
Montpellier, Ludovic Gaujal produces a steely dry
Picpoul de Pinet in the white wine-only appellation
of the same name, which is an obvious match for
shellfish, particularly oysters. At Collioure, on the
Spanish border south of Perpignan, Christine
Campadieu and Vincent Cantié make warm, ripe
red wines that are dominated by Grenache and oily,
spicy whites that partner tapas or anchovies (the local
speciality), as well as a sweet, red vin
doux
naturel, Banyuls.
Denis Ferrer and Bruno Ribière, based further
inland in the Pyrenean foothills, are a young and dynamic duo who have
gained an international reputation for their highly
individual, handcrafted wines.
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