THE largest wine-producing region in France, the Languedoc-Roussillon, offers wine lovers rich pickings thanks to its diverse terrain, variety of grape styles and keenly priced bottles with baskets of flavour.

Lying between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, stretching from the coast to the Spanish border, the long, hot summers of endless sunshine enable winemakers to produce really good quality wines.

The Languedoc is gaining a reputation as the country's answer to New World, especially with competitions like Sud de France Top 100 – the world's biggest French wine competition.

Now in its second year, 664 wines from 220 different producers were blind-tasted by 20 experts and whittled down to the Top 100.

At present, only a third of the winners are distributed in the UK, but they are easily recognisable by a Top 100 sticker on the bottle.

Evocative of a pale, Provencal rose, Pic St Loup Rose, France (£6.99, available from beginning of September, The Co-operative) lives up to its name with a crisp core of cherry and wild berries and a hint of spice on the delicate, fresh finish, perfectly tuned to a long, balmy summer.

One of the major players in the Languedoc, Les Domaines Paul Mas, Paul Mas Marsanne 2010, France (£7.99, The Co-operative) won the judges over. This marsanne has a flowery nose with a soft, rich mouthfeel, pear and apricot fruits and a delectable, honeyed finish.

Bold, rich and classy reds such as Gerard Bertrand Syrah/Carignan 2012 Minervois, France (£7.49 from £9.99, now until August 7, Waitrose) from Minervois in the north-west are terrific any time, any day, but match the cassis, lingering blackcurrant, with a Sunday roast and you've hit perfection.