WineRegionsOld WorldFranceOther French Regions
Languedoc-Roussillon (Le Midi)
These Mediterranean vineyards are gradually losing the cheap and not-so-cheerful
image, as an increasing number of domaines begin to bottle their own truly
expressive wines.
Wine has been produced in Languedoc-Roussillon for more than 2,000 years,
but only over the last ten have its growers seen fit to produce anything
of interest apart from the unctuous vins doux naturels, once the Midi's
only claim to fame. Urged by government schemes to upgrade their wines from
vin de table to vin de pays, a new generation of winemakers
began to emerge in the late- 1970s. By planting better quality vines and
combining modem technology with the best traditional practices, including
the use of some new oak, many exciting new wines filtered through to export
markets by the early 198O's other growers take note of the increased prices
that can be asked for expressive wines, so more and more are turning from
selling in bulk to domaine bottling and there is a new-found pride amongst
them.
The mid-90's move of the California winery, Vichon, to the Languedoc, and
its prestigious family owners, The Mondavi's, has sparked even more interest
in the future of this region.