Bistro Dishes That Can Pair with Pays d'Oc Wines

The South of France known for having hours and hours of sunshine, so naturally the wines made here are full of flavour and richness. Though there are several winds that bring fresh air and a cooling acidity to the vines, ensuring balance! 

The Pays d’Oc IGP covers all terrains, from the mountains to the coast. Made up of the Languedoc and Roussillon winemakers can have fun with all the choices available!

With relaxed family style dining being popular in London right now, bistros serving traditional French dishes with modern takes are perfect for pairing with Pays d’Oc IGP wines. Here are some pairings that work well with these wines! 

Pays d’Oc IGP- Calmel & Joseph- Villa Blanche Sauvignon- White 2023 (Sauvignon blanc)

Naturally aromatic Sauvignon Blanc like the Villa Blanche has plenty of summer fruits and freshness. The leafy and floral aromas are perfect for salads and seafood. Pays d’Oc Sauvignon Blanc can be pretty soft and lucious, try picking out the herbal and green notes in the last of the Asparagus of the season. Or with a Poireaux vinaigrette, the simple snap of acidity working beautifully! 

Pays d’Oc IGP- Domaine de Paraza- C’est la Vie! - White 2022 (Chardonnay) 

Pays d’Oc IGP aren’t just fresh fruity wines, there are complex and elegant wines like the Domaine de Paraza, which would match beautifully with a classic Chicken velouté. The wine is lengthy, lightly oaked adding depth and a creaminess which pairs perfectly with the buttery pastry and rich velouté from the sauce! This is a rich and opulent Chardonnay with good ageing potential!

 Pays d’Oc IGP-  Pierrick Harang Wine- Cuvée Balthazar- White 2023 (Viognier)

Viognier, a great fun grape classically found in the South of France and is like sunshine in a glass, Cuvée Balthazar is generous with a tropical touch and some sweetness, it works well with dishes with sweetness like a Shallot Tatin, accompanied with a side like Chicory, Pear and Blue Cheese salad. The rich caramelised shallots match the sweetness and the acidity cuts through the creamy blue Cheese, an impressive balancing act! 

Pays d’Oc IGP - B. Andreu- Aromatic Grenache- Rosé 2023 (Grenache) 

Is Pale South of France rosé at its finest. Decontracté and cool, it’s made from Grenache, a grape used to make a lot of pale rosés. Rosé is surprisingly versatile in wine pairing and can suit both savoury dishes and desserts. Many neo bistros have their own version of the Lemon meringue tart. Usually a tarte, with decadent custard and a sharp snap of lemon, it ties perfectly with the citrus notes of the Aromatic rosé. 

Pays d’Oc IGP - Maison Ventenac- Trêve Estivale- Rosé 2023 (Grenache, Cabernet sauvignon)

Maison Ventenac rosé has a tiny bit of lees ageing and some Cabernet sauvignon, leaving the wine with some structure and body, it can replace a red wine in the summer for a fresher more fun wine pairing. The modest yet tasty dish of Jambon de Paris, celeriac remoulade with side of vinegary crunchy cornichons would beautifully partner the fresh structured rosé.

Pays d’Oc IGP - Grande Courtade Instant Rosé- Rosé 2023 (Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot)

Pays d’Oc IGP is one of France’s biggest producers of rosé and with so many red grapes, there are many possibilities of blends. Chilled rosé in the summer is great with green salads but also fish dishes, the citrus freshness coming from the rosé compliments white fish. It is exciting to find regions using grapes like Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot to make salmon pink rosé. That taste of watermelon, grapefruit and raspberries. The rosé would work well with several fish dishes, two easy to recommend with a glass of chilled rosé are white fish and spring greens like a pea fricassee, a local pistou or simply finished with salad of aromatic herbs like dill! Just be sure the rosé is nice and chilled!

Pays d’Oc IGP - Villa Noria- les Colombiers Pinot Noir- Red 2023 (Pinot noir)

 Tartare de boeuf, a French classic is on most bistro’s menu in London, a finely diced beef fillet mixed with fresh cornichons, shallots and a rich egg sauce, this dish could pair with a rich Pays d’Oc IGP rosé or a light Pinot noir like this Villa Noria- les Colombiers. There is a velvetiness from Pinot noir and a mild umami brightening the classic bistro dish. I’d recommend serving the wine chilled too! 

Pays d’Oc IGP - Les Vignobles Foncalieu - Le Versant Pinot noir- Red 2022

The diversity of the region means you can find light and easy drinking wines and on the opposing side some silky, rich smoky wines. like the Les Vignobles Foncalieu which is rich with notes of cherries, menthol and an earthiness. these rich wines pair perfectly with Confit duck leg with olive sauce, a tapenade being dish of the region and brings the earthy, briny flavours to the lush and juicy duck!