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Why Go? Minervois and the surrounding area is an all too often over-looked gem in the sparkling crown of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France. With three hundred days of annual sunshine, the sky is intensely blue, and seems to linger just beyond the fingertips, making the allure of that azure hard to resist.
- Location
- Geography
- Grape Varieties
- Minervois Noble
- Production
- History
- Current Status
The Minervois appellation covers a large area of land in the western Languedoc, north of a line dran between Carcassonne to the west and Narbonne to the east. The Montagne Noire range of mountains marks the northern limit of the title, with many vineyards located on slopes in the foothills of the range. In wine terms, Corbières lies immediately to ...
The appellation is cleanly divided into five climatic zones. The Côtes Noires in the far northwest is located on the coolest, most Atlantic influenced foothills of the Montagne Noire. La Clamoux lies on alluvial terraces and flatter land in the southwest towards Carcassonne. La Zone Centrale does indeed sit in the middle of the appellation, at an a...
Minervois rouge and rosé
The predominant grape varieties used in AOC Minervois red (and rosé) wines are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and the rarer Lledoner Pelut. Carignan, Cinsaut, Piquepoul Noir, Rivairenc and Terret Noircomprise the so-called "accessory" varieties. Rosés also count the white Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Maccabeu, Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Roussanne, Terret blanc and Vermentino as further "accessory" varieties – many of these are the main white varieties in Minervois blanc...
Minervois blanc
The main grape varieties for Minervois blanc are Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino. Clairette, Grenache Gris, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Piquepoul Blanc, Terret Blanc and Viognierare the ancillary varieties. Proportions mirror those of the red (and rosé) wines here with the blend of principal varieties accounting for at least 80 percent of the blend. The only other stipulation states that Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains can comprise no more than 10 perc...
In addition to dry red and white wines, the area has a long tradition (albeit with few adherents today) of sweet wine production. Sweet, white Minervois Noble, as it is known, does not have its own appellation. It is a golden sweet wine made from the same white grapes as its dry counterparts. Although referencing botrytis(also known as "noble rot" ...
While some producers will use techniques such as full or partial carbonic macerationto produce easier-drinking, fruity and accessible red wines, most red wines in the area are traditionally fermented for extended periods with frequent pumping over or punching down to encourage greater extraction. Destemming is increasingly being used to reduce the ...
Minervois takes its name from Minerve, a village 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Mediterranean coast and surrounded by the southern French foothills. The village, by turn, is named after the Greek goddess Minerva. But human history goes back much further still in the Minervois region. Local cave paintings and fossilized footprints confirm human m...
Since the Minervois appellation was granted, the local wines have changed dramatically, gaining praise from critics in France and abroad. As with many French appellations, this increase in quality is due to significant investments in winery equipment and improved vineyard management. Red wines represent around 90 percent of production.
Jun 22, 2020 · Saint Jean de Minervois - Between Saint Chinian and Minervois proper, a patch of brilliant white limestone around the village of Saint Jean de Minervois is home to the muscat grape which makes deliciously sweet vins doux. Best producer is Raymond Miquel of Domaine de Barroubio.
One of the oldest appellations of the Languedoc, dating from 1948 and the only muscat not produced directly on the coast, Saint-Jean-de-Minervois is produced only here in a mineral soil with bright slopes, which bring a unique identity to the wines of this part of the region.
The new appellation of Minervois La Livinière falls into this central zone. Located in the hills of the Petit Causse, the appellation has been delimited to 2,600ha, grouping six communes including the eponymous La Livinière. The rocky soils, hilly terrain and warm, dry climate are favourable to viticulture.
AOC Minervois; La Livinière; Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois. The AOC decreet. The winegrowers of the Minervois have been pursuing a policy of quality since the 1950’s and saw their efforts rewarded by obtaining an AOC-AOP in 1985. 61 municipalities were defined as permitted wine regions.
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Oct 13, 2023 · Jean-Christophe Mahieu, our guide from the local tourist office, informs us that the sculpture is called La Colombe de Lumière (Dove of Light) and was made by local artist Jean-Luc Séverac, who died last year. He also tells us that the Église Saint-Étienne overlooking the square holds the oldest altar in France, dating from 456.
