Natural wine from the Languedoc

The Languedoc is one of France's largest wine regions. For a long time the region was known for volume, but in recent decades a new generation of growers has taken over old vines on poor soils and started working organically, with few or no additives in the cellar.

The terroir varies a great deal. In Faugères and parts of Saint-Chinian schist dominates, giving dark, mineral red wines. Around Pic Saint-Loup and Pézenas there is more limestone. In Haute Vallée de l'Orb the vineyards sit higher up, where cooler nights preserve the acidity. Garrigue, the dry scrubland with thyme, rosemary and lavender, surrounds many of the vineyards.

The red wines are built on Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, often blended. Among the whites are Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Terret and Macabeu. The producers at PACT in the Languedoc include Clos Fantine, Mas des Mesures, Hors Saison, Château del Ranq, Julien Peyras, La Marotte, Le Bouc à Trois Pattes and Pèira Levada.