Wines of the Languedoc

Languedocwine can be traced to the first vineyards planted along the coast near Narbonneby the early Greeks in the fifth century BC. Along with parts of Provence,these are the oldest planted vineyards in France, and the region of Languedochas belonged to France since the thirteenth century. The five best knownappellations in the Languedoc include Languedoc, Corbières, Faugères,Minervois, and Saint-Chinian although the vast majority of Languedoc wines areproduced by wine cooperatives.

For wine consumers,especially those who like hand-crafted, highly individual wines that expressthe place where they were grown and are sensibly priced, the Languedoc is aperfect hunting ground. But hundreds of fine wines are available so Languedoccan be a confusing region for consumers. Rosemary George has unpacked theregion carefully for wine professionals and just such consumers. A well-knownexpert on the wines of south west France, George sets the scene by explainingwhat makes the Languedoc special before examining the history of the region,developments in vineyard and cellar, and then devoting a chapter to each regionor appellation, highlighting what it is that makes it special, interesting anddifferent and including short profiles of the most interesting wine growers.Wine professionals and interested wine consumers alike will want to haveRosemary George’s The wines of Languedoc to hand whenever they’re buying, drinking or talking about thewines of south west France.