Grapes & Styles – As the largest wine region in the world, Languedoc-Roussillon is contains a wealth of grapes and wine styles to enjoy. A selection of key grapes are listed here.

• Red – Red wines account for the majority of production from the AOCs of Languedoc.  The wines are primarily blends and feature Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault.
• Rosé – Like all of the South of France, Languedoc produces lots of terrific rosé.
• White – The still white wines of Languedoc are also primarily blends, featuring Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu, Piquepoul, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Clairette.
• Sparkling – The traditional method of sparkling wine production was actually discovered in Limoux. There are written records which date to 1531 and describe this discovery. Today Languedoc’s sparkling wines are produced in Limoux from Mauzac, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay.
• Sweet – There are four sweet wine appellations in Languedoc and all produce wines made from the Muscat grape and are fortified with grape spirits in the “vin doux naturel” style.

Grapes

Syrah – Syrah produces beautifully structured full bodied red wines,  generally blended in  Languedoc with Grenache and Mourvèdre. Blended or on its own, it gives powerful wines with good alcohol content that are suitable for aging. It can also produce very fruity rosé.

Grenache – This variety was introduced in France in the Middle Ages. In the Languedoc it provides color, body and aromatics to red blends. There is also a white variety.

• Mourvèdre – Mourvèdre adds a bit of “spice” to blends.  It is rich in tannins, making it suitable for oak aging.
• Carignan – Most commonly found in wines from AOC Corbières, this red grape is used in blends with Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, but some producers celebrate this grape and produce it as a varietal wine.
• Mauzac – This is the prominent grape in sparkling Blanquette de Limoux wines. It produces wines with aromas of apple.
• Piquepoul – This white  variety gives its name to ”Picpoul de Pinet” on the banks of the Thau lagoon. It produces dry, white wines with good acidity that pair well with all kinds of seafood.
• Bourboulenc – A rare white variety now grown primarily in the La Clape area.
• Muscat – This  aromatic grape produces sweet wines and fortified wines.