Languedoc

More properly called Languedoc-Roussillon, this is a region of Southern France which spans the Mediterranean coastline from the French border with Spain to the region of Provence. The region is very hot, which makes it conducive to growing both a large amount and a wide variety of grapes. It is also one of the few areas in France where organic viticulture is possible because the climate is very dry, at least during the grape growing season. Wines from the Languedoc can carry an enormous number of names, ranging from broad regional designations like Vin de Pays d'Oc, which are labelled varietally, to very specific geographical classifications, like Corbières and Minervois, that are generally produced with a blend of grapes like Grenache, Carignane, Mourvedre and Syrah for reds or Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne for whites.