Minervois
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| The Minervois is presented like a vast amphitheatre orientated full south, approximatly 50 km east to west and 30Km north to south. Situated at the foot of the Montagne Noire (Black Mountain), the altitude varys from 50m at the banks of the Canal du Midi to approx. 500m on the first foothills of the mountain.
According to the proximity and remoteness from the Mediterranean sea, the climate may change from one extreme to the another. Thus, it is not rare to note variations in temperature from 3 to 4 degrees and average annual rainfalls vary from 500 to 800 mm. These strong climatic variations, along with a diversity of soils, make up the characteristics for the different landscapes throughout the Minervois. |
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All information can be found by clicking on links, names and images! |
= Red Wine |
= White Wine |
 = Blanquette, Sparkling Wine |
= Organic Wine |
= Rosé |
= Muscat, Natural
Sweet Wine |
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The Minervois is one of the most ancient vineyards of the Mediterranean region. Indeed, its land was chosen by the Romans as providing ideal conditions for the first vines they planted in Languedoc Roussillon. Its name comes from the ancient city of Minerve, a stronghold built by the Romans and dedicated to the goddess Minerva. Since that time, many amphora shards and vestiges of cellars have been discovered, testimony to the importance of this vineyard.
The region, austere in winter and redolent with sunshine in summer, has survived over the centuries its invasions by barbarians, Arabs and Christians. |
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It is here in the midst of pungent scrubland that the French winemaking tradition took its first tentative steps. This landmark event, for which wine lovers the world over will be forever grateful, occurred 2,000 years ago when the Romans planted their first vines.
The Minervois is an historical region with a rich wine-growing tradition.
For a start, there is the gorge-hugging Cathar village of Minerve which gave its name to the region and the appellation.
And then the southern border of the vineyard is marked by the Canal du Midi, a feat of 17th civil engineering which is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.
While nearby, the magnificent walled city of Carcasonne rises up on the western steps of the Minervois.
Finally, there are the Roman Abbeys, chapels nestling in the midst of vines, caves and prehistoric monuments, walks across the limestone plateau of Le Causse or in the depths of the Montagne Noire.
This region is a veritable mosaic which fosters diversity while drawing inspiration from its multiple origins.
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The Minervois wine region is one of the largest of the Languedoc Roussillon. Close to 15 000 ha of vineyards, with 5 000 ha dedicated to the production of wines of
AOC-AOP (appellation controlled). There is a large range of table wines, vins de pays and the high quality controlled ranges :
AOC-AOP Minervois, AOC-AOP Minervois–La Livinière and the Muscat of Saint Jean de Minervois. |
The permitted grape varieties for red and rosé wine
are:
assemblies with grenache, syrah, cinsault, carignan, lladoner pelut, mourvèdre;
in some western AOC-AOP's evenso cabernet sauvignon, merlot
and côt (malbec)
The most important grape varieties for white are Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc,
Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Muscat, Macabeu
and Rolle.
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The Corbières vine growing area is divided into 11 distinct terroirs. For the growers this means different soils, different micro-climates and different ways of working. For the visitor it means a surprising variety of landscapes. From the Mediterranean, with its long sandy beaches, you can pass through the well-watered plain around Lézignan-Corbières, up to the empty high Corbières: dry, stark and rocky, all within an hour’s drive |
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The essence of Minervois la Livinière, as in so many Midi appellations, is the blend; a marriage of different grape varieties that adds subtle nuance of flavour to the whole. Natural alcohol level must reach a minimum of 12% without enrichment (so no chaptalisation) and maximum yield is a modest 45 hl/ha. Ageing may be in barrel or vat, and unlike basic Minervois, the wine must be bottled at source, so cannot be sent off to a négociant elsewhere in France.
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Syrah -
A very strong grape variety for red wine. Important in the Rhône valley and in Australia where they call this variety shiraz. The wines from syrah are tannic without being harsh. The wines will have a taste and smell off dark blue fruit like black-berries and blackcurrant, with a strong spicy side where one can find freshly ground pepper and other spices. The grape variety is famous for its great wines of the northern Rhône, e.g. Hermitage and Côte Rotie. The Shiraz produces some of the best wines from Australia. |
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Domaine
Barroubio |
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On the borders of the Regional Nature Park of the Haut Languedoc,
the Miquel family has tended this sixty hectare domaine since the fifteenth century.
The estates’ twenty-seven hectares of vineyards are worked using techniques both modern and traditional, which – respecting above all the preservation of the natural environment –permit the creation of wines recognised year upon year
as products of the highest quality. The plateau of Barroubio can be found in the department of Hérault within the commune of
Saint Jean de Minervois.
It declines regularly to the south from 300 down to 200 metres high.
The most rare of the French muscats...
The Muscat of Saint Jean de Minervois guaranteed vintage-growing area is an approximately 180-hectare site in the northeastern corner of the
Minervois vintage...
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Domaine
Jean Baptiste Sénat |
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Jean-Baptiste and Charlotte Sénat have been working this fifteen hectare domaine in the heart of Minervois since 1996. They are certified organic and carry out all work by hand. Vinification takes place with minimal intervention: natural yeasts, no fining, no filtration and only a tiny bit of sulphur are the recipe for living and drinkable wines. More often than not, it seems that rebels must make do with post-humus gratification. Fortunately, Jean-Baptiste Senat, winemaker of his domaine and namesake, needs not to wait to benefit from his attitude towards work and life. Thirteen years ago, he brought his refreshing zeal back to his family’s vineyard, and now Sénat delivers wines that are more than fit to drink. They are charming and refreshingly expressive of the vineyard’s terroir of Minervois. At the end of the day, he confidently presents himself as a man of many facets; one who gets the best out of Languedoc, and encourages us all to do the same with his wine..
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