Pays d’Oc IGP covers an immense and varied area in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southern France. Rosemary George MW (1997) cites Robert Skalli as one of the first to see the region’s potential for varietally labelled wines, as evinced in California, and in France’s case via Vin de Pays which, unlike AOC wines, allowed the name of the grape variety on the label (initially in his case via Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah). ‘The outcome,’ Rosemary George says was the successful Fortant de France range.

The Languedoc soon saw the arrival of flying winemakers such as Tony Laithwaite of Bordeaux Direct, and Martin Shaw from Australia.

Production zone: The four departments of Pyrenées-Orientales, Aude, Hérault, and Gard.

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic: Chateau Maris (La Livinière).

Certified organic: Domaine du Grès Vaillant.

Bibliography

Rosemary George MW, ‘Restricted Practices’, Wine Magazine Jan 1997, p.37-40