C 202/80
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
9.6.2023
This geographical area features different soil conditions, the most representative being acidic schists on the high slopes, calcareous soils on the wine-growing plateaux and plains and stony alluvial terraces.
All of these offer dry, low-fertility soils that are suitable for vines and allow for deep rooting to take place.
From the mountains of the Cévennes, the Montagne Noire and the foothills of the Pyrenees to the shores of the lagoon, the ‘Terres du Midi’ PGI area is criss-crossed by the rivers Aude, Orb, Hérault, Vidourle and Gardon and forms a large amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean.
This area benefits from a Mediterranean climate that is ideal for winegrowing, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, as well as two rainy seasons in autumn and spring.
There are a number of different winds in the area.
A ‘sea wind’ sweeps through the Gulf of Lion regularly and sometimes forcefully, especially during the period that the grapes are ripening.
The spray it carries has a moderating effect on excessive temperatures.
There are dry and strong northerly or westerly winds (Tramontane, Cers and Mistral) that help ensure the good health status of the vineyards.
These aspects of the climate are conducive to planting grape varieties in different environments, of which there are three in this area: mountains and highlands, foothills and intermediate plains, and finally, the coastal plain.
Vines are the monoculture from the Rhône delta to the Spanish border.
9.2.
Specificity of the product ‘Terres du Midi’ PGI is a product linked to the history of the wine-growing South of France.
Wine has been produced in this area since the first vineyards in Western Europe were planted in the surroundings of Agde, around the year 600 BC.
A crisis in the wine-growing sector involving aspects linked to wine production, social issues and the economy of the wine-growing enterprises culminated in 1907.
Multiple taxes, overproduction and fraud acted as a catalyst for discontent.
Prices fell and the quality of the wines weakened.
Faced with the intransigence of the authorities, the winegrowers of the Languedoc set up numerous wine protection committees with delegations in the majority of the municipalities in the South of France.
These then rapidly regrouped under the Confédération Générale des Vignerons du Midi (General Confederation of ‘Midi’ Winegrowers).
The idea of the ‘Midi Viticole’ (i.e. the wine-growing South of France) started to take shape when this Confederation was recognised by the State.
This allowed dialogue to resume and solutions to be found for tackling the crisis (lower taxes, fraud prevention, rules on the declaration and movement of wines, amnesty).
The deed founding this movement makes clear reference to the contours of the ‘Midi Viticole’, comprising the four wine-growing departments of Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Hérault and Gard.
This land is almost exclusively devoted to winegrowing.
A precise statutory definition of ‘vin de canton’ (canton wine) was established in 1964 in reference to wines tied to an administrative area of production with a specific set of soil and climatic conditions.
A 1968 decree changed ‘vin de canton’ to ‘vin de pays’ (regional wine).
Regional wines were initially identified by the name of the department where they were produced and had to conform to specific production criteria that required a higher level of quality.
This stage allowed the ‘vins du Midi’ to benefit from specific recognition that led to the emergence of the PGI ‘Terres du Midi’.
Some 100 000 hectolitres of wine in the three colours are produced under the PGI ‘Terres du Midi’.
Reds account for the majority (55 % of production).
Rosés (35 %) are gradually advancing and whites make up the remainder.
The PGI ‘Terres du Midi’ is mainly expressed by blending grape varieties that are either traditionally grown in the region or brought in from other wine-growing regions.
It is thanks to the winegrowers' expertise in growing the vines, taking advantage of the different soil conditions in the geographical area in order to produce quality grapes, that these varieties can be established.
The hot, dry Mediterranean climate is key to ensuring that the grapes reach full ripeness in all areas and for all varieties, and that the primary aromas are preserved and even strengthened.
The resulting wines are thus characterised by their aromatic quality (fruity and floral), the intensity and nature of which vary depending on the varieties included in the blends.