Rosé wine and its grape varieties: Discovering the treasures of Languedoc-Roussillon

Rosé wine and its grape varieties — Château la Sauvageonne

The rosé wines of Languedoc-Roussillon, once overlooked, have emerged as viticultural treasures, rivalling the greatest. Thanks to a judicious combination of grape varieties and winemaking methods, the Languedoc offers rosé wines that captivate palates the world over. Between fields of white flowers, bouquets of roses and vineyards as far as the eye can see, let us discover the world of the main grape varieties of the region.

The colour of rosé wine

A subtle marriage between white and red, rosé owes its unique colour to a shorter maceration than red wine. Skin-contact maceration and malolactic fermentation give it an authentic hue, ranging from very pale pink to grapefruit pink.

The grape varieties of rosé wine

Grenache

The Grenache grape variety is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the south of France. It contributes alcohol, sweetness and roundness to the wines. Rosé wines produced with this grape variety reveal aromas of ripe red fruits such as cherry and strawberry. It can also bring notes of liquorice and stone fruits.

CINSAULT

Originating from the Languedoc and the Southern Rhône, the Cinsault offers rosé wines rich in floral flavours and summer berries. It is a grape variety of southern origin, known for its great adaptability to warm climates. It contributes freshness and lightness to the wines. Its subtle aromas lean towards raspberry, giving it a silky texture and moderate acidity.

MOURVÈDRE

The Mourvèdre is a Mediterranean grape variety that prefers warm climates. It brings depth and complexity to rosé wines with flavours of dark fruits, plum and spices. It can also present notes of Mediterranean garrigue.

SYRAH

Originally from the Rhône Valley, the Syrah brings elegance and structure to the rosé wines of the Languedoc. Also known as Shiraz in other regions, it offers flavours of dark fruits such as blackberry and black cherry, and sometimes even peppery notes.

Regarding the blending of rosé wines, in the Languedoc they are principally composed of these grape varieties. A typical blend might include Grenache noir for sweetness, Cinsault for freshness, Syrah for structure and Mourvèdre for depth. These combinations produce well-balanced wines with a diverse aromatic palette. The art of blending lies in the winemaker's ability to balance these grape varieties to create a harmonious rosé wine that represents the Languedoc terroir

the secrets of rosé

The production of rosé wine

The production of rosé wine relies on several methods, including saignée, direct pressing, and short maceration. Saignée involves removing a portion of the grape juice during fermentation, while direct pressing extracts the juice immediately after the grapes are crushed. Short maceration, meanwhile, involves limited contact between the must and the skins, giving the wine its characteristic rosé colour.

Languedoc-Roussillon: the rosé region

The South of France, particularly Languedoc-Roussillon, is a paradise for rosé lovers. From IGP to AOC and AOP, the French Mediterranean coast produces an infinite variety of appellations. The region favours viticulture and organic winemaking, taking advantage of the idyllic climate, limestone soils and typical vegetation. France leads global rosé wine production with more than 6.4 million hectolitres, followed by the United States and Spain.

Rosé wine, a symbol of conviviality and sharing, has established itself as the ideal companion for festive moments. The rosé wines of Languedoc-Roussillon, rich in complexity and fruity flavours, now rival the most renowned wines from Provence. Their rise in quality reflects the expertise of the winemakers and their attachment to an exceptional Mediterranean terroir. Tasting a rosé wine from the Languedoc is a plunge into the heart of the sun-drenched terroirs and viticultural traditions of this magnificent region.

Explore the vineyards of the Languedoc, savour the enchanting notes of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah and let yourself be swept away by the magic of our wines that embody the Mediterranean Art de vivre.

To find out more about our rosé wine:

Best rosé wine, good rosé wine, rosé wine, organic rosé wine

Learn more about the production of our wines :

Production of our rosé wines, production of orange wine

Discover the Gérard Bertrand estates:

Its wine estates of the Languedoc-Roussillon

Its expertise in the production of biodynamic wines