The Languedoc is usually spoken about as one of two regions known as the Languedoc-Roussillon but there is so much going on in these two regions that we will discuss them separartely. The Languedoc is the larger and more productive by far and include distinct terrain, climatic and geological factors that produce a wide variety of wine types and styles. The region also supports the successful production of Bordelais varieties on its western flank and Rhone/Provencal varieties throughout its central and eastern AOC's. The region is influenced by topographical features like coastal ranges, interior mountains, the Mediterranean and even the Atlantic. In the main though, the Languedoc is famous for its red wines produced from Rhone type varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan and for a white wine from an AOC called Picpoul de Pinet that is made from the Picpoul grape, a native of the Rhone Valley. Historically, the region is also famous for the traditional method sparkling wines of Limoux, where it is believed sparkling wines had its birth. The grapes used include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and the local Mauzac (aka Blanquette) along with other approved varieties. It is thought that the first of these were produced back in 1531 by the monks at the Abbey of St. Hilaire, when still wine was bottled before the fermentation was complete. The following Spring restarted the fermentation and created trapped CO2, which the Monks found attractive and thus continued the tradition unlike their counterparts, 150 years later, at Hautvillers in Champagne, who tried to prevent the bubbles from forming. This method became known as "Methode Ancestralle" or "Methode Rurale". The primary difference was that there was no disgorgment of the sediment and no final dosage or liqueur de expedition as in Champagne. The wine is, at times, purposely cloudy, dry and with slightly less fizz. These sparkling wines represent some of the finest alternatives to Champagne and the cloudiness is seldom encountered due to an additional step now employed in the modern production of Blanquette de Limoux and the other sparklers of the various AOC's of Limoux. The wines of Picpoul de Pinet represents a great alternative to fresh dry white wine styles like Pinot Grigio (Gris), Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Vermentino, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Macabeo (Viura), Gruner Veltliner and dry Rieslings. The styles vary by producer and the goal of the particular "cuvee" with some displaying more texture from extended lees contact to complexities derived from partial barrel fermentation and old vine stock. All of the styles though are quite enjoyable. The red wines, which are the stars of the region include the superior smaller district AOC's, like Fitou, Corbieres, Minervois, St. Chinian, Tautavel and their "Crus", the best portions of a few of them, like Boutenac and Roquebrun. These more defined AOC's rely upon, Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault with a little Mourvedre at times and the wines are well structured (tannin and acidity) and with intense deep dark and red fruits, spice, garrigue (wild bush herbs), aromatic and often a little oak influence. The white wines are generous in fruit with good acid, fairly aromatic and drink well in their youth, not unlike many Rhone Valley white wines. They are produced from Rhone Valley type varieties. The western AOC's of Malapere and Cabardes based upon a mixture of Bordelais grapes, primarily Merlot, along with Southern French varieties. The larger production is released under the IGP (PGI in EU talk) of Pay d'Oc and often as a varietally labelled wine like Chardonnay, Syrah or as a Rose, which the Languedoc accounts for over 30% of French Rose production. These wines, despite the rather large area the IGP covers and its humble status, produces some of the best values of all French wines and the quality is uniformily quite good, whether red, white or rose. Other grape varieties utilized throughout certain sections of the region include Bouboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Fer Servadou, Lladoner Pelut, Macabeu, Malvasia (Tourbat), Rolle (Vermentino), Chenin Blanc, Ondenc, Calirette, Cabernet Franc, Cabernst Sauvignon, and Muscat of various types. Finally the dessert wines based on Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains include those of de Frontignan, Lunel, Mireval and de St. Jean are all very fine examples of late harvested sweet dessert styled Muscat wine.