Wines from the Minervois,Languedoc

Aude Wine Picker

Minervois

Red, rosé, white A.O.C. and sweet muscat since 1985
Web site : http://www.le-minervois.com/products/aoc.php

History
The traces of man go a long way back in the past, a troglodyte population lived here a long time before our era. With the arrival of the Roman empire, the area opened up to widespread exterior influences. The vine developed initially in the plain and was subsequently planted in the higher grounds of the Minervois by monks who undertook the development of the area. The Minervois suffered the devastation of the crusades led by Simon de Montfort and the tragically famous siege of Minerve, an important site during the cathar conflicts.With the major economic development during the XVIII century, the Midi Canal, created by Pierre Paul Riquet, had a great influence on the region (classified World Heritage by UNESCO). The Minervois wine producers developed a policy of quality from the 1950 's and obtained A.O.C. classification in 1985

Appellation production area The Minervois territory is a vast amphitheatre lined by the Midi canal to the south and the Black Mountain to the north which stretches from the higher areas of Narbonne west to the surroundings of Carcassonne.  

Geology Four rivers, the Clamoux, the Argent Double, the Ognon and the Cesse flow southwards down the Black Mountain towards the Aude and have created a series of gravel, sandstone, schist or limestone terraces. To the North-West near Caunes-Minervois, pink marble and veins of schist dominate. At a higher altitude the vast Causses (dry scrubland) are cut into by deep gorges.  

Climate A dominant Mediterranean climate with oceanic influences in the Western part (Clamoux and the "Côtes Noires" or "black slopes") and a colder winter climate on the Causses located at an altitude above 200 m.  

Grape Varieties Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Piquepoul for the red.Marsanne, Roussanne, Maccabeu, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache, Vermentino and small grain Muscat for the white.  

Vinification 
Red: traditional vinifications of unbroken grapes after destalking.  
Rosé: Saignée technique with a predominance of Syrah.  

White: direct pressing with a varying proportion of blends, vinified in barrels. St Jean de Minervois, Muscat : vin doux naturel (sweet aperitif wine).
Aude Vines  

Some of the larger Vineyards of note

Château Coupe Roses
Chateau Coupe Roses is a long established domaine located in La Caunette, high on the cliffs in the more north-easterly part of the Minervois appellation. It has been in the hands of the de Calvez family since 1614, but Francoise de Calvez and her husband, Pascal Frissant, have only been in control since 1987. Together they have revitalised the estate, with a doubling of vineyard area, a new cellar and a move away from the dreaded en vrac to an almost entirely bottled production. Web-site http://www.tire-bouteilles.com/vigneron_couperoses.htm

Domaine Le Cazal
A wonderfully run and marketed vineyard that has great heritage and quality. Time makes excellent wines, which is proved here in this vineyard. They made traditional wines- typical from the region, but with great finesse,as well as exceptional wines that are in the top 10 wines from the Minervois. Web-site http://www.lecazal.com/vins.htm

Domaine de Barroubio
The plateau of Barroubio can be found in the department of Hérault within the commune of Saint Jean de Minervois.Among the 60-hectare of the property, 27 are dedicated to the vineyard. The muscat petit grain, with 17 hectares, takes the largest part. The other varieties of vines - Grenache, carignan and syrah - are used to elaborate the red and rosé wines. Web-site http://www.barroubio.fr/

Domaine Pierre Cros

Very old vines, named one of the "best discoveries" in 2003, has his Carrignan vines dating back to 1905. The Languedoc is very proud to have such a wine maker in its midst. Parker guides are often giving him marks in the high 90's. A real gem in the Minervois, Languedoc. Web-site
http://www.maisondesvins.be/domaine-pierre-cros.php

Château Mirausse

Very elegant wines coming from this Carcassonne area of the Minervois, Languedoc. He makes very balanced wines- at times, big heavy reds that have great finesse and long after taste. A beautiful Chateau to visit and a great wine maker. Bliss.
http://www.chantovent.com/fr/vins/fiche-vin.php?vi=85

Château Villerambert

Château Villerambert-Julien draws its name from the Latin Villa Ramberti, which was situated on an ancient site surrounded by dolmens and menhirs close to the Via Domitia. When the soil was first deeply tilled Gallo-Roman amphorae and pottery were found.

One must go back to 1231 to find written evidence of a vineyard at Villerambert under the feudal rule of Pierre Vidal de Villerambert, Lord of the Manor.

The family Balby de Vernon who remained the owners until 1858 when the Julien family, whose origins go back to the 16th Century in the region of Minerve, bought the Château, built in its present form in the 16th Century.
Thus it is the 5th generation since the Château was acquired that is running today – Michel JULIEN. Going back in time, we find Etienne who was responsible for the purchase, then Marcel, George, his wife Anne Marie who took over the running of the property on the death of her husband, then Marcel, their son, who is still active and who during the 1950s built the foundations for the great vineyard of today.

Marcel JULIEN was the first family member to set about the rebirth of quality on the Estate and then, Michel, who since 1989 has continued and expanded the improvement in quality to give to the Château its national and international allure, followed Marcel’s original plans.
http://www.villerambert-julien.com/history.php?menu=1

Vignoble du Loup Blanc

Nicolas Gaignon ,conscious of the potential of this clayey chalky soil located in altitude (230m) and of the requirement to produce wines of quality, turned his efforts turned to a work attentive and looked after vines by respecting the characteristics of many planted type of vines(Alicante, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Tempranillo, Chenanson, Terret Blanc, Muscat with small grains and Grenache Gris). Hand picking allows perfectly ripe grapes to come to the cellar where they are treated smoothly through the process. For the respect of the grape our choice of equipment of wine making wanted to be adapted, with wood tank of 50 hl, small concrete tanks. Our wines, AOC Minervois and Local wines, are the reflection of what this area, dedicated since of the centuries to the vine growing, can allow hoping to obtain by an attentive and looked after work. Finally, our wines are stored to bring out their rich and voluptuous nature, in tanks, barrels and half muids where they are quietly perfected in order to reach the plenitude of the promises given at the time of harvest.

The following section are links to Winemakers with web-sites and well worth contacting

Domaine de Babio, La Caunette

Domaines Camberaud et Sonnac, Mailhac

Chantovent , Minervois

Clos de Marbier, Caunes Minervois

Clos de Gravillas, St-Jean-de-Minervois

Domaine de Courbissac, Cesseras

Domaine des 3 Ages, Azille

Domaine des Maels, Argens Minervois

Domaine Malys-Anne, Caunes Minervois

Massamier La Mignarde, Pepieux

L'Oustal Blanc, Creissan

Les Trois Blazons, Azillanet

Chateau Cabazac, Bize-Minervois

Chateau du Donjon, Bagnoles

Chateau Fabas-Augustin, Laure Minervois

Chateau des Adouzes, Roquessels

Chateau de Paraza, Paraza

Chateau Pautard, Peyriac

Chateau de Pennautier, Pennautier

Domaine des Tourels, Tourouzelle

Chateau Villerambert Julien, Caunes Minervois

Domaine St-Michel Archange, Bize-Minervois

Languedoc Wines

Winemakers and Wine Producers Languedoc