Meet the Region Before the Wine: A Brief History of the Languedoc-Roussillon's Wine Scene
- Anastasia Beer
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Did you know that Languedoc-Roussillon is home to the first recorded sparkling white wine and possibly the model for Champagne itself? Legend has it that Dom Pérignon passed through Limoux (where they make Blanquette de Limoux, bubbly made by the monks of Saint-Hillaire Abbey back in 1531!) on his way to Spain. Coincidence? Maybe. Cool? Definitely.
From the Med to the Mountains
What’s fantastic about the Languedoc Roussillon wine region is its great diversity and complexity. Stretching across the Med from Nîmes, it’s decorated with stunning landscapes: the wilderness of the Cévennes, the red hues of the Salagou, the rolling hills of the Minervois, all the way to the foothills of the Pyrenees marking the border with our Spanish neighbour.
Don't Forget Roussillon
Now, we often say “Languedoc” when referring to the wines here, but let’s not forget its little brother to the south, tucked up against the Pyrenees: Roussillon. While their histories are intertwined and the two are typically referred to together in France, culturally and stylistically they are quite different. Roussillon has a distinctly Catalan identity thanks to its proximity to Catalonia, and its wines are equally unique - most famously through its Vins Doux Naturels (VDNs, if you’re feeling fancy), or naturally sweet fortified wines. They deserve a full article of their own, really.
Roman Roads and Monastic Traditions
Like most French wine regions, the Languedoc has ancient roots, the Greeks, Etruscans, and, of course, the Romans, have all left their footprints. Thanks to the Via Domitia (a 780 km Roman road stretching across southern France), the wines of this region travelled far and wide throughout the Roman Empire. But then in 92 AD, one Roman emperor decided to protect Italian wines by banning production in the area, known as "La Narbonnaise" at the time, and literally ordered the vines ripped up.
Thankfully, the Church picked up the slack in the Middle Ages, with monks and abbeys continuing the winemaking tradition, making it an essential part of local heritage. Not only do we have the fun anecdote about Blanquette de Limoux, but Languedoc is also said to be the birthplace of fortified wines. This is largely thanks to Arnaud de Villeneuve, a doctor and theologian at the University of Montpellier, who, around the end of the 13th century, perfected the art of fortifying wines. His work was deeply influenced by Arabic medical and scientific knowledge, particularly around distillation, ideas that had traveled north from Al-Andalus through translations and trade.
The result? A technique that gave rise to the naturally sweet fortified wines the region is known for today, like Maury, Rivesaltes, and Banyuls.
A Not-So-Fancy Reputation
Fast forward to the 19th and 20th centuries, and the region took a slightly less glamorous turn. Languedoc became known for mass production, thanks to giant cooperatives churning out huge volumes of low-quality wine. At its peak, the region made up 40% of all wine production in France. You’ll still see these cooperatives everywhere. Some are still running, others are charming ruins that speak to the region’s winemaking past. Back then, it was all about quantity over quality. Much of it was shipped off by train to hydrate the troops during the wars and to fuel workers in the north of France, but also because people simply drank way more wine daily than they do today.
Add to that the devastation caused by the phylloxera crisis (a nasty vine-killing insect from the Americas) and bloody revolts like the one in 1907 led by vine growers against falling wine prices, fraud and the looming threat of cheap Algerian imports -- and you’ve got a recipe for a wine identity crisis.
A Turning Point for the Languedoc-Roussillon Wine Region
Things began to change in the 1970s and ’80s with the introduction of the Vin de Pays d’Oc designation and the rise of AOC labels (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, now known as AOP, Appellation d’Origine Protégée). These quality-focused classifications helped shift the region’s image from bulk wine powerhouse to serious contender.
Fun fact : Did you know that Fitou AOP, established in 1948, is the oldest red wine appellation in Languedoc?
Soon after, other appellations like Saint-Chinian and Faugères (1982), Coteaux du Languedoc (1985, now Languedoc AOP since 2007), and Pic-Saint-Loup (2017) helped put the region back on the quality map. And shake things up they did : many domaines have since been taken over by a new generation of winemakers who are prioritising quality over quantity.
This new wave of producers isn’t afraid to experiment: working with indigenous grape varieties, reviving old plots, and playing with alternative styles like orange wines, pét-nats, or no-added-sulphur bottlings, all while respecting and reimagining the region’s classic AOP heritage. It’s no small playground, either : Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine-growing region in the world, with over 240,000 hectares of vineyards. That’s a whole lot of room for creativity!
So really, it’s no wonder Languedoc-Roussillon has become one of the most exciting and dynamic wine regions in France today!
What About Roussillon?
Despite its growth, Roussillon remains a somewhat shy sibling in the wine world, yet one with tremendous potential. Its wines have earned well-deserved recognition, and some of its unique terroirs are considered among the most beautiful in the world. Trust me, these wines are worth seeking out. Stay tuned for more on this region, so get your glass ready!
What’s Next?
So there you have it, a whirlwind intro to the Languedoc Roussillon wine region and how it became the backbone of a vibrant and dynamic wine scene. Now that you’ve got the backstory, stay tuned for the juicy part: the wines themselves! We’ll get into appellations, grape varieties, and which bottles to impress your wine-loving friends with.
Because who doesn’t want to sound fancy at apéro hour? Cheers ! Ana
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