Skip The Bordeaux And Burgundy And Try These Unique French Wines That Surprise And Delight

We know France has some of the greatest wine regions on earth- from Bordeaux, to Champagne, whether you prefer red, white, rosé, sweet, dry, or sparkling- French vineyards have produced wines to suit everyone’s palate. While many lovers are drawn to the northern region for Champagne or southeast, Rhône Valley, there are other regions home to unique French wines as rich in flavor as they are in history to explore.

Languedoc-Roussillon, the coastal region in southern France offers affordable hidden gems to elevate your wine collection. Family-run and independent for 400 years, Maison Longeril represent the most beautiful terroirs of the Languedoc and Roussillon and include 8 Appellations d’Origines Contrôlées (Cabardès, Minervois, Minervois-la-Livinière, Saint-Chinian, Faugères, Côtes du Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Languedoc) with a viewpoint that wine is a shared pleasure.

The wines come from 6 family estates spread over 8 appellations and from long-term partnerships they formed over the years with winegrowers. Although Languedoc and Roussillon involve warm, dry Mediterranean climates the vineyards are at a high altitude, staying cool thanks to their elevation and coastal breezes from the Atlantic/Mediterranean featuring all different soils, clay, limestone and calcareous soils yielding wines with freshness and balance.

A recent lunch at New York spot, Upland provided the opportunity to discover bold reds, crisp whites, and refreshing rosés from Southern France, all under $50, and perfect for any occasion. Southern French wines embrace native varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. With styles ranging from bold, intense to light and pretty, depending on the producer and mix of grapes used.