AOC Languedoc Pézenas

Production centres

Adissan, Aspiran, Caux, Fontès, Fouzilhon, Gabian, Lieuran-Cabrières, Montesquieu, Neffiès, Nizas, Paulhan, Péret, Pézenas, Roujan, Vailhan.

Annual production

59,132 hl

Soil

Sandstone alternating with schist, gravelly mudstones, gravel and stony terraces typical of the Villefranchian era, basalt boulders originating in water and volcanic deposits.

This region still bears the marks of Roman influence and wine based activity. Amphora, dolias (large pottery vessels) and a bust of Bacchus have been discovered in the remains of a Roman villa in Neffiès as well as on the site of a Roman aqueduct built to carry drinking water from Gabian to Beziers. In Bebian, there are even a number of indications that vines pre-dated the Romans. During the Roman Gaul period wine amphora were made near Fontès, Pezenas and Aspiran.

From the XII to XVIII centuries Pezenas reaped the benefits of protectionist measures put in place by various French kings with the aim of protecting and defending local wine. Imports of foreign wine and grapes were forbidden !