WineGuessrWine region · France
Languedoc-Roussillon wine
Languedoc-Roussillon is the wine region of southern France along the Mediterranean from the Rhône delta to the Spanish border. It is the country's largest wine-producing area, making Carignan, Grenache and Syrah reds, sparkling Limoux, and fortified vins doux naturels such as Banyuls. Corbières is its largest appellation.
| Country | France |
|---|---|
| Climate | Mediterranean, with dry summers and winter rain |
| Main grapes | Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscat, Mauzac, Picpoul |
| Key appellations | Languedoc, Corbières, Minervois, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Pic Saint-Loup, Fitou, Limoux, Banyuls, Picpoul de Pinet |
| Wines on WineGuessr | 5 |
History
Greek settlers planted the first vineyards on the coast near Narbonne in the 5th century BC. In 14th-century Paris, wines from the Saint-Chinian area were prescribed in hospitals for their supposed healing powers. Sparkling wine also has deep roots here: Benedictine monks at the abbey of Saint-Hilaire mentioned blanquette in 1531, and Blanquette de Limoux became an AOC in 1938. In the 19th century the region turned to mass production of cheap red wine for France's industrial workforce. After Algerian independence in 1962 ended the blending of strong Algerian wine with thin local reds, surpluses grew, and the region gradually shifted toward quality and tighter appellations.
Terroir and appellations
The broad Languedoc AOC, formerly Coteaux du Languedoc, covers much of the region, and more precise appellations sit inside it. Corbières, created in 1985, is the largest, with about 13,500 hectares and 46% of the region's AOC output; Boutenac became its own cru in 2005. Others include Minervois and Minervois-La Livinière, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Pic Saint-Loup, Fitou and Picpoul de Pinet. In Roussillon, near the Pyrenees, Banyuls grows on terraces above the sea. Much of the region's wine is also sold as varietal IGP Pays d'Oc, which has looser rules than the AOCs.
Grapes and wine styles
Red wine dominates. Carignan remains the backbone of Corbières and must make up at least 40% of Fitou, blended with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Limoux makes sparkling wine, and Blanquette de Limoux must contain at least 90% Mauzac. The region is also France's main source of vins doux naturels, sweet wines whose fermentation is stopped by adding spirit: Banyuls (an AOC since 1936, with a Grand Cru level since 1962) needs at least 50% Grenache Noir, while Muscat de Rivesaltes, Muscat de Frontignan and Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois use Muscat.
5 wines from Languedoc-Roussillon on the map
Languedoc
Languedoc-Roussillon wine: questions and answers
What is the largest appellation in Languedoc-Roussillon?
Corbières is the largest, with about 13,500 hectares of vines and 46% of the region's AOC wine production.
What is a vin doux naturel?
A vin doux naturel is a sweet wine whose fermentation is stopped by adding grape spirit, keeping natural sugar. Banyuls and Muscat de Rivesaltes are examples from Roussillon.
What grape is Blanquette de Limoux made from?
Blanquette de Limoux must contain at least 90% Mauzac. Its first written mention dates from 1531 at the abbey of Saint-Hilaire.
What grapes are used in Banyuls?
Banyuls must contain at least 50% Grenache Noir (75% for Banyuls Grand Cru), with Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc and others allowed.
Other wine regions of France
All wine regions →Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org
Last reviewed October 2026.