Terrasses du Larzac is now getting a well earned reputation for producing some of the South of France’s most exciting wines. Wines to delight French wine lovers around the world. It will be of no surprise to those who are already familiar with wines from the Languedoc that there are some particularly fine red wines from Terrasses du Larzac. In the past, the wines may have been sold without the region on the front of the label. Many of the producers there were growing grapes for bulk wine production. After all, the region was only awarded AOC status in 2014 despite the name being in use for decades before. Yet, the 80 producers, and growing, there have quickly worked to establish their region as one of high quality. Of course, if you are looking here for good white wines or delicate rosé wines, you will not be disappointed. 

This fast growing reputation means that winelovers in the know are seeking them out across the world. The nearby region of La Clape also was classified in 2015 and shares a similar history with Terrasses du Larzac. La Clape is bracketed by Terrasses du Larzac and the Mediterranean Sea.

The region

The presence of the vineyards of the region only add to the beauty of the landscape as you climb towards the dominant Mont Baudile. There are 32 communes within the 2,000 hectares.  Some of the better known communes of the region include Saint-Saturnin de Lucian to the south of the peak and Puéchabon, Aniane, Saint-Jean de Fos to the south east. You will find them to north west of the historic city of Montpellier on the coast. Indeed, Puéchabon, Aniane and Saint-Jean de Fos are less than 50 kms from the city. This makes the region very handy for day tripping.

The region takes its name from the Larzac plateau, Causse du Larzac. This plateau lies to the north of the vineyards. It is the combination of the slopes rolling up to Mont Baudile, the effect of the plateau and the soils that makes the wines unique in the Languedoc. The vineyards of the Terrasses du Larzac are higher in altitude. The highest vineyards, such as Mas Lasta at around 400m, use these lower temperatures to great advantage. However, it is the effect of the cool air coming down from the plateau that has the greatest impact on the wines. 

It is all cool …. 

These cool summer nights slow down the ripening of the grapes in Terrasses du Larzac. This means the grapes retain their refreshing acid. This acid keeps the wines vibrant. Plus, there is the added advantage of these red wines lasting longer in the cellar. Slow ripening also allows the grapes time to develop more complex flavours and aromas. With different and some unique soil types across the region, there are many expressions for winemakers to showcase in their best wine. 

About the wines

As with many areas of southern France, wines have been made in the Terrasses du Larzac region since Roman times. The tradition was continued with the arrival of monasteries.  Many other good red, rosé and white wines are also made in the region and are labelled as either Languedoc AOC or as IGP wines. Producers have a much wider range of varieties to choose from for these wines. It is not unusual to find a nice red wine made from local Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Or a crisp fruity white from Chardonnay or Viognier. There are some great rosé wines made here too. They closely resemble those of Provence which may have a dollop of Rolle in the blend. Rolle is the local name for the Italian grape, Vermentino. Château la Sauvageonne has a prestigious rosé that has both Rolle and Viognier added to the traditional red grapes or Grenache and Mourvèdre.

Terrasses du Larzac AOC

Today, wines labelled as Terrasses du Larzac AOC must be a blend containing at least three grape varieties from low yield vines. Two of the three varieties must be either: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir or Carignan. The third may be another of those four main varieties or one of five other red varieties allowed. 

To read more about the red grape Mourvèdre, please read: Mourvèdre, Monastrell or Mataro? click here

Each blend may contain a maximum of 75% of either Syrah, Mourvèdre or Grenache Noir individually.  These are considered the best wine varieties grown here. However, no wine can have more than 70% of any one of these varieties.  The blend can also contain up to but no more than 50% of Carignan grapes. If the blend contains Cinsault, this needs to be limited to 25% of the blend. The region is very specific in maintaining the quality and the particular style of their wines.

Only the best red wine, matured for 12 months, can carry the name of the appellation on the label as a sign of quality. They also must be a maximum of 3 grams of sugar per litre. So they are only ever dry red wines. 

The vignerons of Terrasses du Larzac

This is a small wine region with nearly 100 producers. Interestingly, 75% have organic certification.  This is a remarkable achievement. Of the growing number of producers, most are small independent wine makers. Although there is also five or so cooperatives too.  

For more information as to how an organic wine is made, please read ‘I always thought that wine was a natural product’.

While 75% of the producers are now certified organic, there are more producers in the Terrasses du Larzac region using organic principles but are not certified. Producers such as Gerard Bertrand’s Château la Sauvageonne, Chateau Capion, Le Clos du Serres, Domaine Nova Solis, Mas de L’Erme, Anne-Laure Sicard’s Mas Lasta, Mas des Brousses and Domaine La Rouquette are just some of those estates producing organic wines.  

Calmel & Joseph also make a wine from vineyards in Terrasses du Larzac. Click here to read a review about Calmel & Joseph L’Art du Vers

Some of the families in Terrasses du Larzac have lived in the area for many generations growing grapes or making wine … or both. There are also some old vine vineyards still in production. Unsurprisingly, these vineyards produce the most concentrated and complex wines in the region. They are outstanding value. Particularly compared to wines from France’s more expensive wine regions, such as those of the Rhône to the north.   

The future is bright

Without a doubt, there is still so much more to come from Terrasses du Larzac. This is certainly one of those regions to watch while the Languedoc sub regions one by one define their future as their own entities.

See terrassesdularzac for more information.

First published August 2024, updated September 2025