Terrasses du Larzac Languedoc, France 8 Items Follow

Created in 2014 to showcase the unique quality of its wines, Terrasses du Larzac actually has a wine heritage over a millennium old. This red-only appellation is defined by its place at the base of the Larzac plateau northeast of Montpellier in the Languedoc. A wide range of soils—limestone, scree, sand, iron-rich clay—and one of the widest diurnal temperature variations in the world allow even berry ripening and fabulous complexity in the wines.

Terrasses du Larzac wines must be composed of at least three grapes, and may include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvédre, Cinsault and Carignan. Known for their intensity and concentration of dark berry fruit, influenced by the thyme, lavender and other herbs of the garrigue, the region’s basic reds make for succulent, food-friendly bistro wines. The best of Terrasses du Larzac (Montpeyroux, Aniane, and Mont Baudile are particularly noteworthy sites) will improve for decades, and are among the hidden gems of the wine world.