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Pays d'Oc

Pays d’Oc is one of the largest wine regions in France and the world. It roughly covers southern France entirely, overlapping the Languedoc-Roussillon appellation. Pays d’Oc, though, is not an AOP but an IGP or protected indication of origin.

The area is one of the sunniest wine regions on the continent, meaning winemakers here can produce wines with every grape imaginable - its no surprise most of the wine in France comes from these fertile vineyards. In fact, the Mediterranean region is home to diverse microclimates, allowing grape growers and winemakers to be creative. The region’s laws are also not very restrictive.

Pays d’Oc is not only a wine powerhouse; it’s also a source of wine in all styles, made with dozens of grapes and sold at all price points. There’s a Pays d’Oc wine for every food pairing, occasion and budget, and the quality is better than ever.

60% of all French wines at an IGP level come from Pays d’Oc, around 760 million bottles every year, or over 5 million hectolitres of wine. The region also represents 18% of the country’s wine exports, with about 2.1 million hectolitres. The primary markets for the region’s wine are the United States, the UK, Belgium, Canada and Japan.

Pays d’Oc is a massive wine region, home to around 200 cooperatives and 1,200 independent producers. And although most of the wine is produced at a table wine quality level, the quality today is better than ever. Many producers choose the IGP to produce wine under less restrictive legislation — producers here can make still, sweet and sparkling wine, white wine, pink wine and lots of red. They can also choose any wine grape, from Pinot Noir to Cabernet.

The vast area comprises four departments: l’Aude, Gard, l’Hérault, and Pyrénées-Orientales. A few communes in Lozère also fall within the Pays d’Oc IGP. No region matches Pays d’Oc in diversity and volume, and although the quality is not all at the highest level, finding a few gems in the area is not particularly hard; committed producers abound in Pays d’Oc.

Grape Varieties & Blends

Producers in Pays d’Oc make wine in all styles, and the legislation governing the area is very permissible. A few grapes dominate the region’s vineyards, though, and although most of them are red, white varieties also ripen in the area.

The most planted red varieties in Pays d’Oc are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache. Others include Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Cinsault and Pinot Noir. White varieties in Pays d’Oc include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Muscat and others, from Vermentino to Chenin Blanc.

Most varietals, white and red, ripen to perfection in the warm region, resulting in bold wines with medium acidity and high alcohol levels. The wines are also always fruit-forward and generous. These wines are also often approachable, and they’re ready to drink as soon as they hit the market. Contemplative, age-worthy wines exist in Pays d’Oc as well, but they’re less common.

FAQ

Where does Pays d'Oc wine originate?

Pays d’Oc is the largest IGP appellation in France and one of the most extensive wine regions globally, covering departments in l’Aude, Gard, l’Hérault, and Pyrénées-Orientales (and a few others). Pays d’Oc covers all of southern France, roughly corresponding to the Languedoc-Roussillon AOP. There are around 115,000 hectares of vines in the IGP.

What does Pays d’Oc wine taste like?

Although there are many styles of wine in Pays d’Oc, most are big and bold, with plenty of fruit and alcoholic warmth. Expect medium acidity in white wines and textural tannins in reds.

As for the nose, wines from Pays d’Oc often show ripe fruit in both white and red styles. These wines share similarities with warmer New World wine regions. They’re often labeled as mono-varietals as well.

Which food groups pair well with Pays d’Oc wine?

Pays d’Oc comes in all colours, styles and sweetness levels - even in all price points. This means there’s a Pays d’Oc wine for every wine pairing.

White Pays d’Oc is generally crisp and refreshing, so most white wines pair best with whitefish and seafood. Still, robust and even oak-aged white wines exist in the area as well, and these are best for oily fish, white meat, poultry, pork and creamy sauces.

Red wine from Pays d’Oc is often bold, fruit-forward and has alcoholic warmth. These wines are best suited for flavourful red meat-based specialities, grilled steaks, sausages, fatty poultry, roasts, stews and casseroles.

Wines for Everyone

Pays d’Oc might be one of the largest wine regions globally and a significant wine producer. And although most of France’s table wine comes from the area’s sunny vineyards, Pays d’Oc is also home to quality-minded producers. Talented winemakers in the area produce wine with every grape from Chardonnay and Sauvignon to Pinot Noir and Cabernet.

The wine from Pays d’Oc has something in common. It’s often very well priced, and you can find more than a few gems at excellent price points. There’s no doubt exploring the vast catalogue in the region is an excellent idea for wine enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Pays d'Oc Wine Guide