Languedoc AOC Pezenas Quality Wines
Languedoc Is France's Largest Wine Producer
By: Philip S. Kampe - Aug 23, 2017
Since the 5th century, BC, Languedoc-especially Narbonne, has been a hot spot for grapes. Other then Provence, Languedoc has the oldest planted vineyards in France.
Until the early 19th century, when phylloxera invaded and wiped out the wine industry, Languedoc had a reputation for producing high quality wine. And today, the reputation is leaning towards the production of quality wines, after an era of producing large quantities of wine from top to bottom levels. Success is due in part to outside investment, with the focus on quality.
After attending a wonderful get together with the AOC Pezenas winemakers for the launch of Terroirs & Millesimes Week in the Languedoc, the realization that the winemakers have found their nirvana.
With the regions Mediterranean climate, dry summers and wet winters, the wineries have thrived due to the wide variety of grapes that they can grow. The perpetual tramontane inland wind that comes from the northwest helps the dry climate breath in the warm summer months.
The inland soil composition favors chalk, gravel and limestone, while alluvial soils dominate the coastline.
Chardonnay is one of the major white grapes used in white wine, as is Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne. There are numerous red grapes that are used in wine production: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsaut and Maccabeo.
Languedoc is France’s largest wine region, with close to 500,000 acres. One out of every ten bottles sold in the world comes from Languedoc.
Isn’t it time to enjoy the riches of the Languedoc AOC Pezenas wines?