Sam Wylie-Harris heads to the Languedoc-Roussillon and makes some recommendations

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, vines dominate the landscape and the long, hot summers of endless sunshine enable winemakers to produce really good, quality wines.

The Languedoc is also steering away from its long history of producing bulk wine and 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 100 wines which demonstrate the range and excellence this huge region has to offer.

Best known for its rich, ripe reds, 40% (an increase of 5% on last year) of this year's Top 100 selection were actually white wines, an impressive result as only 13% of the region's production is white wine.

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, and are easily affordable too – the judges’ favourites are priced at less than £10.

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 blackcurannt, spice, hint of black olives and velvety smooth finish with a Sunday roast and you’ve hit perfection.

The muscat grape comes in a variety of styles and trophy winner, Mas Amiel Muscat de Rivesaltes 2012, France (£10.99, 70cl, Waitrose) veers to the medium sweet side with an alluring, grapey nose which flowers into bergamot on the palate with crystalized orange and citrus fruits that slip down a treat.

Gnarled, old vine carignan blankets the rugged countryside and labels such as Marquis de Saint Jean, Carignan Old Vines 2013, France (£6.99, Waitrose) actively promote this work-horse grape – and quite right too. The pure, flavoursome blackberry fruits are underpinned by dark cherry fruit and the brambly character conceals carignan’s naturally strong tannins in this very drinkable, light French table wine.

Meanwhile, the chalices on the label of Trois Calices Reserve Coteaux du Languedoc 2012, France (£8.99 from 9.99, www.virginwines.co.uk) are the first indication this wine is worthy of a goblet. A shiraz blend from three boutique estates, it’s full of character with bold flavours of raspberry, blackcurrant, spice and cocoa, a velvety texture and a hint of kirsch on the suave finish.