Pays d'Oc is the PGI for red, white and rosé wines that are produced over a wide area of the southern coast of France. The PGI catchment area corresponds roughly to the Languedoc-roussillon">Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, one of the largest wine regions in France. The area covers all wines that are not produced under the strict laws that govern AOC-level appellations in the regions: among them, Corbières, Minervois and the Languedoc appellation itself. The Pays d'Oc PGI is arguably the most important in France, producing the majority of the country's PGI wines.
Five separate departments fall under the PGI (Hérault, Aude, Gard, Pyrénées-Orientales and six communes in southern Lozère), which is delimited by administrative rather than geographical boundaries. The name therefore covers a wide variety of terrain, from the mountain ranges of the southern Massif Central to the coastal plains of the Camargue crossed by rivers. Vineyards jostle for position in the Garrigue landscape. The Pays d'Oc has a MediterraneanClimate with hot, Dry summers and mild winters.
Poulsard is a red grape variety that originated in the Franche-Comté region. In 1732, it was qualified as a good grape variety with several others by the parliament of Besançon at the time. It currently covers nearly 300 ha. This variety has 3 approved clones: 296, 584 and 464. Poulsard has slightly hairy branches with long tendrils. Its leaves are yellow in color. Although its bunches are small, its berries are often medium-sized or larger. Poulsard is quite sensitive to scorching, spring frosts and coulure. It is also afraid of oidium, mildew and grey rot. This grape variety appreciates clayey, fat and marly soils. Its fertility is average, so it is preferable to prune it long. It buds quite early. Poulsard produces a wine with a light structure, fine and aromatic. It can be kept for years. This wine goes well with poultry, red meat, cheese and starters.
sweet wines from the region of Pays d'Oc go well with generally quite well with dishes of spicy food, sweet desserts or pork such as recipes of baked sea bream, yoghurt cake or magic cake cheese quiche.
