Languedoc
Languedoc is a region of
France along the Mediterranean coast, between the Rhône delta
and Spain. The Languedoc region is known for producing hearty, ripe,
robust red blends, that represent some of the best values for red wine
in France.
Grape growing began in the
region when the Greeks settled the area in the 6th century B.C. It continued
to flourish under the Romans, when they constructed the Via Domitia,
a road linking the Rhône River with the Pyrenees. This road promoted
the expasion of the wine business, resulting in a period of prosperity
for the region.
Languedoc is traditionally
known for rather mediocre wines, when the growers would grow as many
grapes as possible on their land. More recently the region has focused
more on quality than quantity, and many significant efforts have been
made to improve the quality of the wine. As a result, many top quality
wines are now produced in the Languedoc region. The dominant varieties
are Carignan, Grenache, Cinsaut, Syrah, and Mourvedre.
