The Languedoc
The Languedoc in Southern France is one of the world’s oldest and largest vineyard
area, so influential to wine production everywhere, as historically vines were planted
here as early as the 5th century BC.
Throughout history, Bordeaux may have acquired the reputation for producing the
finest wines in the world, yet the potential of the Languedoc ‘terroir’ remains
outstanding.
The geographical Languedoc is the valley that stretches in a vast arc, from the
Rhone river and the last of the Massif Central foothills, westward to the Aquitaine
and Garonne rivers, and southward to the Mediterranean sea and the Pyrenean mountains.
The region is steeped also in religious history, the Cathars, and the Knights Templar,
stories that spark the imagination, and legends that refuse to die with time.
Towns and villages are dominated by mediaeval squares, churches, castles, and priories,
each shrouded in its own mysteries, evident behind every dark corner and rising
tower.
Due to its geographical locality, from very ancient times this area was inhabited
by the Ligues, the Iberians, and the Celts in the millennium BC.
The Greeks, by creating Marseille around 600 BC, opened the region to the Hellenistic
influence over daily life, wine growing, philosophy and culture.
During the 2nd century BC, the area was inhabited by the Volques and Tectosage people,
called the ‘Gaulois’ by Julias Ceasar, who instigated the building of Narbonne and
the creation of the Narbonnaise region, bringing law, order, and organisation.
The Land of the Languedoc saw passing and integrating barbarians: the Visigoths,
Arabs, Aragones and finally the Francs, the country becoming Carolingian in the
8th century.
Two distinct proud cultures, Occitan and Catalan, a tradition of heresy, steadfast
rebellion, and age-old customs, combine to make this region unmatched in its romance
with history. The ‘Occitan’ language spoken in middle ages, gives its name to this
land, the ‘Langue d’Oc’.
The diverse climate and soil varieties have created several ‘countries’, providing
as many diverse wines of great quality and individual character. Single vineyard
wines, which are lovingly and painstakingly, produced by small family Chateaux and
Domaines, influenced by great traditions.
The wines are always indicative of the areas from where they are created, displaying
the immense history and heritage of their location, the soil, and the pride of their
producers.
The locals call it, ‘expression de terroir’.
Come with me on this exciting journey, through France’s best kept secret, and I
will introduce you to ‘real wine’, a most welcome alternative to the ‘new world’
domination that has masked the true quality of wine that is much closer to us, and
that time has almost forgotten.
As we progress through the coming months, we will feature more ‘hidden treasures’
from other areas in France, also Italy, Spain and Portugal.
We shall also be arranging visits of course through our tailor made WineHunters
Tours, contact us for more information.