Wine-growing in the Languedoc by producer Gerard Bertrand - prepared by director of Monopolies Canada and the USA, JP Turgeon

1. MASTERCLASS
Host Edmonton
July 19th 2015
WWW.GERARD-BERTRAND.COM

2. OVERVIEW
Gérard Bertrand chronology
Wine-growing history of the Languedoc-Roussillon
region
 Constitution of the vineyard
The principal regions and our estates
OVERVIEW

3. GÉRARD BERTRAND CHRONOLOGY
CHRONOLOGY
1965 Born onJanuary 27th in Narbonne
1975 Georges Bertrand introduces his son, Gérard, to harvests in the cellars of the Domaine deVillemajou in Boutenac, in the
Corbières (Aude)
1984 Begins his rugby career in Narbonne, which he will terminate in Paris backed by 10 years of high performance sport experience
and values
1987 Starts working in August at the Domaine deVillemajou with his father who transmits him his passion for terroir.This latter
dies prematurely in October
1992 Creates the Gérard Bertrand company which will acquire in the following years the Domaine Cigalus in Bizanet (Aude) and the
Château Laville Bertrou in La Livinière (Hérault)
2002 Sets up in the Château l’Hospitalet and develops wine tourism activities around the concept of Art deVivre
2007 Purchase of the Domaine de l’Aigle, in the Limoux appellation
2010 Acquisition of the Château AiguesVives, in Corbières Boutenac
2011 TheGérard Bertrand group acquires the Domaine de la Sauvageonne, inTerrasses du Larzac, therefore continuing to develop
the visibility of the most beautiful crus of Languedoc
2012 Gerard Bertrand positions itself on the cru Malepère by taking over the exploitation of theChâteau de La Soujeole
2014 The first vintage of Clos d’Ora – 2012 – is revealed.Two estates of the Massif de la Clape join the 9 others.

4. A FEW STEPS OF THE WINE-GROWING
HISTORY OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
HISTORY

5.  125BC Greek winegrowing remains dating back to 125 BC.
 VIIIth Monasteries/Abbeys create the first selections of
vineyards and plots
 1285 Arnaud deVilleneuve invents “mutage”
 1531 First sparkling wine listed in Limoux
 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees: the Roussillon is now a part of
France
 1681 Canal du Midi
 1855 Railway up to Lyon
 1870’s Phylloxera
 1907 Winegrowers’ revolution
 1936 Birth of the AOC : 4 AOC inVDN
 1987 Creation of theVins de Pays d’Oc
 2009 IGP replacesVDP
HISTORY
A FEW STEPS OF THE WINE-GROWING
HISTORY OF LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON

6. CONSTITUTION OF THE VINEYARD
VINEYARD

7. CONSTITUTION OF THE VINEYARD: DIVERSITY
VINEYARD
More than 50 varietals
Principal red varietals: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, 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, …)
Climate
 Mostly Mediterranean
 Warm to very warm: 315 days of sun per year
 Less than 600mm of rain per year
 Large variety of winds: 8 different winds
 Many microclimates

8. THE PRINCIPAL LANGUEDOC REGIONS…
REGIONS
1 - La Montagne Noire (The Black Mountain)
Minervois, Minervois La Livinière, Muscat Saint Jean
de Minervois, Saint Chinian, Saint Chinian Berlou,
Saint Chinian Roquebrun
2 - La Côte (The Coast)
Grès de Montpellier, La Clape, Muscat de Frontignan,
Muscat de Lunel, Muscat de Mireval, Picpoul de Pinet
3 - Les Cévennes
Faugères, Montpeyroux, Pézenas, Pic Saint Loup,
Terrasses du Larzac
4 - Le Sud (The South)
Corbières, Corbières-Boutenac, Fitou
5 - L’Ouest (The West)
Cabardès, Limoux, Malepère
1
3
2
5
4

9. … AND ROUSSILLON REGIONS
REGIONS
 More than 315 days of sun per year
 About 500mm of rain per year
 Very, very warm climate
 Surrounded by mountains, sharp hillsides
 5 AOP inVDN, 4 AOP village
 Powerful winds sweep the region through the north and the
south
Terroirs
 Maury &Tautavel: Schist marl, black limestone
 Lesquerde: granite and gneiss
 Caramany: gneiss
 LaTour de France: schist
 Rivesaltes & Les Aspres: rocks, pebbles
 Collioure & Banyuls: schist and clay

10. CHÂTEAUX AND ESTATES
ESTATES

11. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
 Cabardès, Limoux, Malepère
 Climatic influence of the Atlantic
 Fresher climate, more rainy
 Use of northern varietals :
• Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot, Pinot
• Chardonnay , Chenin
LIMOUX AOP
 AOP since 2005
 Surface area: 1800 ha
 Average yield: 40hl/ha
 Varietals:
• Reds : Merlot, Syrah,Carignan,
Grenache, Malbec,Cabernet-
Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Pinot
noir (IGP)
• Whites : Mauzac, Chenin,
Chardonnay
 Special characteristic, still wines that
have to be elaborated in barrels
DOMAINE DE L’AIGLE
 Close to the village of Roquetaillade
 Acquired in 2007
 Altitude : 250 to500 m
 Average yield: 30hl/ha
 Clay and limestone soils
 Red varietals:
 Pinot Noir
 White varietals:
 Chardonnay,Gewurztraminer
 Plot selection: Aigle Royal
 Sustainable agriculture:TerraVitis
ESTATES

12. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
 Faugères, Montpeyroux, Pézenas, Pic
Saint Loup,Terrasses du Larzac
 At the foot of the Cévennes & Causse
 They benefit from the mountain’s
freshness during the night, and the
sun’s heat during the day
 Syrah, Mouvèdre and Grenache
complement each other perfectly and
give depth to different red wines.
TERRASSES DU LARZAC AOP
 AOP since 2014
(previously « AOP coteaux du
languedoc, terrasses du larzac »)
 Surface area: 2000 ha
 Average yield: 50hl/ha
 Soils : Schist, Sandstone, Ruffes,
Volcanic
 Red varietals:
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre,
Cinsault
CHÂTEAU LA SAUVAGEONNE
 Municipality of Saint Jean de la Blaquière
 Acquired in 2011
 Altitude : 150 to 350 m
 Average yield: 30hl/ha
 Soils : ruffes, schists, Sandstone.
 RedVarietals:
 Syrah,Grenache et Carignan
 WhiteVarietals:
 Grenache Blanc,Vermentino,Viognier
 Currently undergoing conversion to
biodynamic agriculture.
ESTATES

13. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
AUDE HAUTERIVE IGP
 Protected geographical indication
representing a confined geographical
area « Aude Hauterive » located in the
middle of the geographical area of the
Corbières.
 Deliberate choice to work with the
Aude Hauterive IGP for more freedom
on the vine population and subsequent
blending.
DOMAINE DE CIGALUS
 Municipality of Bizanet
 Acquired in 1995
 Altitude : 50 m
 Average yield: 25hl/ha
 Soils : loamy, clayey, sandstone, marns
 RedVarietals:
 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
Merlot, Syrah, Grenache,Carignan and
Caladoc.
 WhiteVarietals:
 Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,Viognier
 Cultivated following Biodynamic
principles since 2002. 1st converted Gérard
Bertrand estate.
ESTATES
 Corbières, Corbières-Boutenac, Fitou
 Extreme Mediterranean climate
 High influence of altitude
 Powerful wines with a strong
personality
 Perfect climate, soils and temperature
to grow Carignan

14. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
 Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel,
Muscat de Mireval, Grès de Montpellier, La
Clape, Picpoul de Pinet
 Strong influence of the sea on the fruit’s
maturity cycle, bringing spicy and exotic
fruit notes.
 Picpoul de Pinet is the biggest white wine
appellation in the Languedoc Roussillon
 For reds, it’s the paradise of Grenache which
brings spicy, pepper and blackcurrant notes.
LA CLAPE AOP
 AOC since 2013
 Surface area: 13500 ha
 Average yield: 50hl/ha
 soils : hard limestones, red clay and
gravels, molasses, screes between
pinewoods and cliffs.
 Climate: low rainfall, bright and sunny
with wind and maritime influences.
 Varietals:
 Reds : Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre,
Carignan, Cinsault
 Whites : Grenache, Bourboulenc,
Maccabeu, Roussanne, Marsanne,
Clairette,Vermentino, Picpoul, Rolle
CHÂTEAU L’HOSPITALET
At the heart of the Natural Park of la Clape,
close to Narbonne
 Acquired in 2002
 Altitude: 100 m
 Average yield: 30hl/ha
 Soils: marns, limestones
 RedVarietals:
 Syrah,Grenache, Mourvèdre.
 WhiteVarietals:
 Bourboulenc,Vermentino,Grenache
Blanc
 Plot selection: L’Hospitalitas
 Currently undergoing conversion to
biodynamic agriculture.
ESTATES

15. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
 Minervois, Minervois La Livinière, Muscat
Saint Jean de Minervois, Saint Chinian, Saint
Chinian Berlou, Saint Chinian Roquebrun
 Very peaceful locations, where the hills
intercross
 Very hot climate
 The wines are powerful and elegant, mostly
focused on red wines
MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE AOP
 AOC since 1999
 Surface area: 2600 ha
 Average yield: 45hl/ha
 Soils : sandstones, schists, limestones,
marbles and flint.
 Red varietals: Carignan, Grenache,
Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Terret,
Aspiran
CHÂTEAU LAVILLE BERTROU
Municipality of La Livinière
 Acquired in 1997
 Altitude : 120 to 230 m
 Average yield: 30hl/ha
 Very stony soils: limestones, marns, sands
 Climate: semi-arid Mediterranean
 Red varietals:
 Syrah,Grenache,Carignan, Mourvèdre.
 Plot selection: LeViala
 Sustainable agriculture:TerraVitis
ESTATES

16. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
CORBIERES BOUTENAC AOP
 AOC since 2005
 Surface area: 1500 ha
 Average yield: 45hl/ha
 Soils : Rolled pebbles, hard dolomitic
limestones, sandstones, molasses
from the continental and marine
Miocene, molasses from Carcassonne.
 Climate : typically Mediterranean with
a dry and warm summer
 Red varietals: Carigan, Syrah,
Grenache, Mourvèdre
DOMAINE DEVILLEMAJOU
Municipality of Boutenac
 Acquired in 1970 by Georges Bertrand and
taken over in 1992 by Gérard.
 Altitude : 80 to 100 m
 Average yield: 30hl/ha
 Soils : rolled pebbles
 Climate : semi-arid Mediterranean
 Red varietals:
 Syrah,Grenache,Carignan.
 WhiteVarietals:
 Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc.
 Plot selection: La Forge
 SustainableAgriculture:TerraVitis
ESTATES
 Corbières, Corbières-Boutenac, Fitou
 Extreme Mediterranean climate
 High influence of the altitude
 Powerful wines with a strong
personality
 Perfect climate, soils and temperature
to grow Carignan

17. REGION APPELLATION ESTATE
MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE AOP
 AOC since 1999
 Surface area: 2600 ha
 Average yield: 45hl/ha
 Soils: sandstones, schists, limestones,
marbles and flint.
 Red varietals: Carignan, Grenache,
Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Terret,
Aspiran
CLOS D’ORA
Commune de La Livinière
 Revealed in 2014
 Altitude: 220 m
 Average yield: 20hl/ha
 Very stony soils: limestones, marns,
sandstones, sands
 Climate: semi-arid Mediterranean
 Red varietals:
 Syrah,Grenache,Carignan, Mourvèdre.
 Cultivated following Biodynamic
principles and with animal power.
ESTATES
 Minervois, Minervois La Livinière, Muscat
Saint Jean de Minervois, Saint Chinian, Saint
Chinian Berlou, Saint Chinian Roquebrun
 Very peaceful locations, where the hills
intercross
 Very hot climate
 The wines are powerful and elegant, mostly
focused on red wines