Occitanie and its wines

TheOccitanie is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions of France, created by the union of the historic regions Languedoc-Roussillon e Midi-Pyrénées. It stretches from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees and the Massif Central, taking in areas that are extremely varied in both climate and geology.

The area

With approximately 270.000 hectares under vine, is the largest wine-producing region in France and one of the leading ones in the world.
The climate is mainly warm, dry Mediterranean along the coast, but becomes more oceanic towards Toulouse and the Pyrenees, and continental in the inland areas. The soils range from sand and clay to limestone and schist.

This diversity allows for a very wide range of wines: from full-bodied, spicy reds to the fresh and aromatic whites, from the sparkling wines to the natural sweet wines (VDN), not forgetting the historic appellations such as Cahors, the home of Malbec.

What is the Occitanie wine region?

The main appellations of Occitanie include:

• Languedoc AOC (and its sub-zones: Minervois, Corbières, Pic Saint-Loup…)

• Roussillon AOC (Banyuls, Maury, Rivesaltes)

• Cahors AOC (powerful, mineral Malbec)

• Gaillac AOC (traditional whites and reds)

• Madiran AOC (reds from Tannat)

• Fronton AOC (Negrette)

• Blanquette and Crémant de Limoux AOC (traditional method sparkling wines, among the oldest in Europe)

Alongside the AOCs, Occitanie is also home to numerous IGP Pays d’Oc, known for modern, accessible wines, often single-varietal (Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon).

Characteristics of Occitanie Wines

Reds

• Colour: Deep ruby, often with purple highlights

• Aromas: Ripe black fruits, spices, liquorice, Mediterranean herbs

• Palate: Full-bodied, warm, spicy, with excellent structure

Whites

• Colour: Bright straw, golden in the more evolved wines

• Aromas: Citrus, tropical fruit, white flowers, honey

• Palate: Fresh and harmonious, mineral and versatile

Sparkling wines

• Elegant and fine, with a persistent perlage, especially in Limoux

Natural sweet wines (VDN)

• Perfumed and intense, from Muscat and Grenache grapes

Typical Grape Varieties of Occitanie

Black Grape

• Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM)

• Carignan

• Cinsault

• Malbec (Côt / Auxerrois) in Cahors

• Tannat in Madiran

• Négrette in Fronton

White Grape

• Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

• Muscat (for sweet and dry wines)

• Mauzac, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay (for the sparkling wines of Limoux)

• Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne

Why choose a wine from Occitanie?

• For the great variety of styles, grape varieties and appellations

• For the intense Mediterranean reds and the fresh and mineral whites

• For the modern cuvées from IGP Pays d’Oc, perfect for everyday drinking

• To discover the historic wines such as Cahors and the sweet wines of the Roussillon