 Key figures 10 000 hectares of vines 2 000 producers 80 cooperative wine producers 450 private wine producers Average yield 47 hectolitres/hectare Average production 400 000 hectolitres (78% red, 10% rosé, 12% white) Trade General Distribution : 72 000 hl (22%) Export : 145 500 hl (43%) On-site sales (60%)
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Appellation area The Coteaux du Languedoc appellation was replaced in May 2007 by the Languedoc AOC appellation and extends all along the Mediterranean coast, from the Spanish border as far as Nimes, reaching up to the buttresses of the Montagne Noire and the Cevennes. The diversity of the land and the characteristics of the Languedoc AOC wines is reflected by the establishment of a three level hierarchy: the Languedoc regional appellation, the sub regional appellations corresponding to the pedoclimatic regions, and finally, the land names at the heart of the sub regional appellations. Geology The geology of this region is varied, mainly consisting of the hard limestone of the garrigues and the schiste ground as well as the gravel carried by the rivers and streams of the Languedoc region. Climate The Mediterranean climate of the entire appellation area is marked by a considerably hot and dry season. The terrain is characterised by its relief. The diversity and specificity of the different regions has facilitated the definition of large pedoclimatic zones. Grapes Principal grapes for the red and rosé wines: Grenache N, Syrah and Mourvedre (50 % minimum and 20% minimum syrah mourvèdre) for the Cinsault and Carignan coasts. For the Pic St Loup: Syrah, black Grenache, Mourvèdre (90 % minimum). For the Clape and the Grés of Montpellier: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre (70 % minimum). For the white wines: black Grenach, black Clairette, Bourboulenc, black Piquepoul, Roussanne, Marsanne and Rolle (70% minimum), viognier (10% maximum). For the Picpoul de Pinet: 100 % Piquepoul. Vinification Red:traditional stripped fermentation or whole berry vinification. Research and experimentation work is being carried out by the AOC Corbières union on the ageing and maturing of wines. Rosé:saignée. White :, skin maceration, (vinification in barrels for certain wines). Development strategy The main objective is the development of subregional and land appellation pyramidal hierarchy regarding the new Languedoc AOC. Appellations : Grès de Montpellier, Pézénas, Sommières, Clape, Pic Saint-Loup, Terrasses du Larzac, Picpoul de Pinet, Terrasses de Béziers, Montpeyroux and Saint-Georges d’Orques.
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