Introduction

Wines from the South of France are extremely diverse and of ever-increasing quality. Languedoc Roussillon’s geographic position is exactly right for creating wines that express themselves at every level, from finesse through to power, tasty fruit through to wonderful complexity, pastel shades through to deepest red.
Produced today by wine-growers who are passionate about their craft, wines from the South of France are one of the essential elements in the Mediterranean culinary tradition in which olive oil, vegetables, fish and cheese combine in healthy, authentic, flavourful cuisine. There are red, white, rosé and sparkling wines (including Blanquette and Crémant de Limoux) plus fortified wines (including Muscats de Frontignan, Lunel, Mireval, Saint-Jean de Minervois, Rivesaltes and the famous Banyuls and Maury), from a variety of vines that find a particular echo with various dishes.
Wines from the South of France therefore have all the characteristics for drinking at any time – from formal to everyday meals, or drinks with friends.
In this section we introduce you to the harmony of flavours from the South of France with a few general principles on the matching of meals and wines.

Wines and gastronomy: what to do

Wines to drink with a meal are subject to two selection criteria:

- A "horizontal" choice concerned directly with the type of food that the wine will accompany.
- A "vertical" choice, that takes into account the food and wines to be consumed after the dish in question.

HORIZONTAL CHOICE

Harmonisation of food and wines is made easier when one knows a few simple principles defined by traditions.

When these principles are followed the meal will be enjoyed to the maximum.

For example, the type of dish is considered – light, fine, country-style or heavy – and a wine of similar style is served.
Light, sharp dish = bright, fresh, simple wine (red or white)
Rich, creamy, complex dish = elegant, rich, complex wine (white)
Rich, heavy, grilled dish = powerful, tannic wine with elegant woody flavours.

VERTICAL CHOICE

Pleasure for the senses should crescendo:

"The bottle being served should never make one regret the one that has just been consumed"

Rule n° 1: the wine of the moment must never make one regret the previous wine.

Rule n° 2:
•    White wines before reds
•    Light wines before tannic wines
•    Simple wines before complex wines
•    Young wines before old wines
•    Dry wines before sweet wines