Definition: Vérargue AOC (coteaux-de-)

Languedoc region. Production area located between Sommières (in the Gard department) and Lunel (in the Hérault department), more precisely within the Hérault municipalities of Beaulieu, Boisseron, Lunel, Lunel-Viel, Restinclières, Saint-Geniès-les-Mourgues, Saint-Sériès, Saturargues and Vérargues. Classified as: AOC Coteaux du Languedoc in 1985. Area under production: the entire Coteaux du Languedoc appellation covers just over 10,000 hectares. White grape varieties: Bourboulenc, Carignan, Clairette, Macabeu, Piquepoul, Terret and Ugni. The wine must be a blend of at least two grape varieties. These white grape varieties can be used to complement the production of rosé wines; Rosé: Grenache (maximum 10% as a complementary grape variety); Blacks: Cinsaut minimum 45% for rosé wines and maximum 40% for red wines; Carignan maximum 40% with the mandatory presence of two other grape varieties such as Grenache or Lledoner Pelut (in this example, together or separately, minimum 20%); Mourvèdre and Syrah, minimum 20% each or separately. The Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre and Syrah grape varieties must represent a minimum of 50%; complementary grape varieties 10% maximum, Counoise, Piquepoul and Terret. Vinified as: rosé and red. It can be stored: rosé should be drunk young; red for 3 to 4 years. Ideal serving temperature: between 8 and 10°C for rosé; between 16 and 17°C for red. Pairings: rosé with grilled meats or charcuterie, with or without raw vegetables; red with duck with olives.