4. A FEW STEPS OF THE WINE-GROWING
HISTORY OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
HISTORY
5. ï§ 125BC Greek winegrowing remains dating back to 125 BC.
ï§ VIIIth Monasteries/Abbeys create the first selections of
vineyards and plots
ï§ 1285 Arnaud deVilleneuve invents âmutageâ
ï§ 1531 First sparkling wine listed in Limoux
ï§ 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees: the Roussillon is now a part of
France
ï§ 1681 Canal du Midi
ï§ 1855 Railway up to Lyon
ï§ 1870âs Phylloxera
ï§ 1907 Winegrowersâ revolution
ï§ 1936 Birth of the AOC : 4 AOC inVDN
ï§ 1987 Creation of theVins de Pays dâOc
ï§ 2009 IGP replacesVDP
HISTORY
A FEW STEPS OF THE WINE-GROWING
HISTORY OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
7. CONSTITUTION OF THE VINEYARD: DIVERSITY
VINEYARD
More than 50 varietals
Principal red varietals: Syrah, Grenache, MourvÚdre, Carignan, Cinsault,
Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Merlot, Pinot.
Principal white varietals: Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc, Grenache,
Clairette, Piquepoul, Muscat, Maccabeu, Chardonnay, Chenin, Mauzac,
Vermentino.
A large diversity of soils
Clay, Limestone, Schist, Granite, Ruffe, Volcanic, Silica
sand, Alluvium, and others (Gneiss, Quartz, âŠ)
Climate
ï§ Mostly Mediterranean
ï§ Warm to very warm: 315 days of sun per year
ï§ Less than 600mm of rain per year
ï§ Large variety of winds: 8 different winds
ï§ Many microclimates
9. ⊠AND ROUSSILLON REGIONS
REGIONS
ï§ More than 315 days of sun per year
ï§ About 500mm of rain per year
ï§ Very, very warm climate
ï§ Surrounded by mountains, sharp hillsides
ï§ 5 AOP inVDN, 4 AOP village
ï§ Powerful winds sweep the region through the north and the
south
Terroirs
ï§ Maury &Tautavel: Schist marl, black limestone
ï§ Lesquerde: granite and gneiss
ï§ Caramany: gneiss
ï§ LaTour de France: schist
ï§ Rivesaltes & Les Aspres: rocks, pebbles
ï§ Collioure & Banyuls: schist and clay
11. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
ï§ CabardÚs, Limoux, MalepÚre
ï§ Climatic influence of the Atlantic
ï§ Fresher climate, more rainy
ï§ Use of northern varietals :
⢠Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot, Pinot
⢠Chardonnay , Chenin
LIMOUX AOP
ï§ AOP since 2005
ï§ Surface area: 1800 ha
ï§ Average yield: 40hl/ha
ï§ Varietals:
⢠Reds : Merlot, Syrah,Carignan,
Grenache, Malbec,Cabernet-
Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Pinot
noir (IGP)
⢠Whites : Mauzac, Chenin,
Chardonnay
ï§ Special characteristic, still wines that
have to be elaborated in barrels
DOMAINE DE LâAIGLE
ï§ Close to the village of Roquetaillade
ï§ Acquired in 2007
ï§ Altitude : 250 to500 m
ï§ Average yield: 30hl/ha
ï§ Clay and limestone soils
ï§ Red varietals:
ï§ Pinot Noir
ï§ White varietals:
ï§ Chardonnay,Gewurztraminer
ï§ Plot selection: Aigle Royal
ï§ Sustainable agriculture:TerraVitis
ESTATES
14. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
ï§ Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel,
Muscat de Mireval, GrÚs de Montpellier, La
Clape, Picpoul de Pinet
ï§ Strong influence of the sea on the fruitâs
maturity cycle, bringing spicy and exotic
fruit notes.
ï§ Picpoul de Pinet is the biggest white wine
appellation in the Languedoc Roussillon
ï§ For reds, itâs the paradise of Grenache which
brings spicy, pepper and blackcurrant notes.
LA CLAPE AOP
ï§ AOC since 2013
ï§ Surface area: 13500 ha
ï§ Average yield: 50hl/ha
ï§ soils : hard limestones, red clay and
gravels, molasses, screes between
pinewoods and cliffs.
ï§ Climate: low rainfall, bright and sunny
with wind and maritime influences.
ï§ Varietals:
ï§ Reds : Grenache, Syrah, MourvÚdre,
Carignan, Cinsault
ï§ Whites : Grenache, Bourboulenc,
Maccabeu, Roussanne, Marsanne,
Clairette,Vermentino, Picpoul, Rolle
CHÃTEAU LâHOSPITALET
At the heart of the Natural Park of la Clape,
close to Narbonne
ï§ Acquired in 2002
ï§ Altitude: 100 m
ï§ Average yield: 30hl/ha
ï§ Soils: marns, limestones
ï§ RedVarietals:
ï§ Syrah,Grenache, MourvÚdre.
ï§ WhiteVarietals:
ï§ Bourboulenc,Vermentino,Grenache
Blanc
ï§ Plot selection: LâHospitalitas
ï§ Currently undergoing conversion to
biodynamic agriculture.
ESTATES
15. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
ï§ Minervois, Minervois La LiviniÚre, Muscat
Saint Jean de Minervois, Saint Chinian, Saint
Chinian Berlou, Saint Chinian Roquebrun
ï§ Very peaceful locations, where the hills
intercross
ï§ Very hot climate
ï§ The wines are powerful and elegant, mostly
focused on red wines
MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE AOP
ï§ AOC since 1999
ï§ Surface area: 2600 ha
ï§ Average yield: 45hl/ha
ï§ Soils : sandstones, schists, limestones,
marbles and flint.
ï§ Red varietals: Carignan, Grenache,
Syrah, MourvÚdre, Cinsault, Terret,
Aspiran
CHÃTEAU LAVILLE BERTROU
Municipality of La LiviniÚre
ï§ Acquired in 1997
ï§ Altitude : 120 to 230 m
ï§ Average yield: 30hl/ha
ï§ Very stony soils: limestones, marns, sands
ï§ Climate: semi-arid Mediterranean
ï§ Red varietals:
ï§ Syrah,Grenache,Carignan, MourvÚdre.
ï§ Plot selection: LeViala
ï§ Sustainable agriculture:TerraVitis
ESTATES
17. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE AOP
ï§ AOC since 1999
ï§ Surface area: 2600 ha
ï§ Average yield: 45hl/ha
ï§ Soils: sandstones, schists, limestones,
marbles and flint.
ï§ Red varietals: Carignan, Grenache,
Syrah, MourvÚdre, Cinsault, Terret,
Aspiran
CLOS DâORA
Commune de La LiviniÚre
ï§ Revealed in 2014
ï§ Altitude: 220 m
ï§ Average yield: 20hl/ha
ï§ Very stony soils: limestones, marns,
sandstones, sands
ï§ Climate: semi-arid Mediterranean
ï§ Red varietals:
ï§ Syrah,Grenache,Carignan, MourvÚdre.
ï§ Cultivated following Biodynamic
principles and with animal power.
ESTATES
ï§ Minervois, Minervois La LiviniÚre, Muscat
Saint Jean de Minervois, Saint Chinian, Saint
Chinian Berlou, Saint Chinian Roquebrun
ï§ Very peaceful locations, where the hills
intercross
ï§ Very hot climate
ï§ The wines are powerful and elegant, mostly
focused on red wines