Carcassonne-Montpellier: The Wine Side of the Tour de France

After some spectacular stages in the Pyrenees, the riders will set off from Carcassonne and head to Montpellier. Hosting the Tour de France for the 32nd time, the capital of the Hérault department has become a must-see stopover between the Pyrenees and the Alps.

A tour through the heart of the Languedoc vineyards

Rivaling the riders of the Tour de France, we set off through the Languedoc vineyards, which stretch from west to east, from Carcassonne to Nîmes. Running along the Mediterranean coast to the south and the Cévennes to the north, we enjoy the great diversity of landscapes offered by the vineyards. This diversity is reflected, in particular, in the vineyards’ soils, which vary greatly in composition, and in the different farming methods used. Nevertheless, the grape clusters share a common hot and dry climate, typical of the Languedoc.

Just as the many tourists who flock to the region each year have adapted perfectly to these growing conditions, so too have various grape varieties. The ranking for this Languedoc stage includes:

The red wine category, which accounts for the majority of the region’s production, includes grape varieties such as Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The rosé wine category, which shares similar grape varieties with red wines, such as Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah.

The white wine team, whose reputation in the region is well established, features grape varieties such as Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Vermentino, Muscat à Petits Grains, Muscat d’Alexandrie, Marsanne, Roussanne, Piquepoul, Chardonnay, Mauzac, Chenin, and Ugni Blanc.

The sparkling wine team has some wonderful surprises in store, featuring grape varieties such as Mauzac, Chardonnay, and Chenin.

A Tour of the Main Wine Regions of Languedoc

While the 22 teams in the Tour de France will share a route of more than 160 kilometers between Carcassonne and Montpellier, the Languedoc wine region boasts 20 appellations spread across more than 245,000 hectares.

A quick look at the menu:

To the west and south of the vineyard lies the Corbières region, which produces a powerful, full-bodied red, a velvety, aromatic rosé, and a rich, creamy white. At the heart of this appellation, we also find Fitou, known for its tannic reds, and the sparkling wines of Limoux, which offer lingering aromatic notes on both the nose and the palate.

Further west but closer to the north, we find Cabardès, which comes in red and rosé varieties and is distinguished by its strawberry notes. Among the region’s iconic wines, Minervois is also highly regarded, offering a powerful, full-bodied red, a robust rosé with fresh notes, and crisp whites that deliver hints of vanilla and honey.

The region is home to Picpoul-de-Pinet, a dry, fresh, and fruity white wine, as well as Saint-Chinian, which primarily produces reds, but also offers a few rosés and fresh whites.

Moving from the center to the east, we find, in particular, the wines of Pic-Saint-Loup and the wines of Clape.

Gourmet stops in Languedoc

While the region offers a wide selection of wines, Languedoc also boasts many local specialties that perfectly complement them. These are all great opportunities to fully appreciate the unique character of Languedoc wines!

Choose a winning team:

The selection of full-bodied red wines pairs perfectly with a bull stew or a cassoulet from Casterlnaudary.

The selection of typical regional white wines pairs perfectly with fish or shellfish—such as the delicious oysters from Bouzigues, the excellent brandade from Nîmes, or a succulent Mediterranean sea bass.

Our selection of rosé wines is perfect for long summer days, whether enjoyed with grilled meats, seafood dishes, tapas, tielles sétoises, or simply with a salad bursting with the colors of summer fruits and vegetables.

Our sparkling wine selection is perfect as an aperitif or to pair with dessert.

To wrap up this culinary journey, we’d like to give a special shout-out to the region’s signature Muscat wines, which pair perfectly with chocolate desserts.

Highlight of the stage: With its wide variety of landscapes, wineries, and wines, the Languedoc wine region offers wonderful opportunities for culinary, gastronomic, and wine-tasting adventures.