Languedoc (formerly Coteaux du Languedoc) is a key appellation used in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of southern France. It covers Dry table wines of all three colors (red, white and rosé) from the entire region, but leaves Sweet and Sparkling wines to other more specialized appellations. About 75% of all Languedoc wines are red, with the remaining 25% split roughly down the middle between whites and rosés. The appellation covers most of the Languedoc region and almost a third of all the vineyards in France.
The typical Languedoc red wine is medium-bodied and Fruity. The best examples are slightly heavier and have darker, more savoury aromas, with notes of spice, undergrowth and leather. The Grape varieties used to make them are the classic southern French ones: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, often with a touch of Carignan or Cinsaut. The white wines of the appellation are made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, with occasional use of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne from the Rhône Valley.
Mauzac is a grape variety, black or white (the white one is better known), originating from the South-West. It is mainly cultivated in the vineyards of Gaillac and Limoux (where it is called blanquette), on about 5,000 hectares. mauzac has medium-sized bunches, composed of berries whose colour can vary from green to red depending on the maturity of the grapes. This grape variety likes limestone and clay-limestone soils, and it is here that it is most productive. Its white wines are fat, with little acidity and marked by aromas of ripe apple, pear, honey, quince, vanilla and violet, typical of the great sweet wines of Gaillac. mauzac also produces the famous Blanquette-de-Limoux in rural method. In this region, Mauzac is competing with Sauvignon, Chenin and Chardonnay, especially for sparkling wines which are more similar to Champagne. It is also used in some appellations such as Entre-deux-Mers, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux, Côtes-de-Duras, Vins-de-Lavilledieu...
wines from the region of Languedoc-Roussillon go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, pasta or veal such as recipes of empanadas de carne (argentina), spaghetti with "favouilles" (curries) or old-fashioned pork roll.
On the nose in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon often reveals types of flavors of cream, cherry or blackberry and sometimes also flavors of red fruit, tobacco or strawberries. In the mouth in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
