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Located in the south of France, west of the River Rhone between MONPELLIER
and NARBONNE
A LAND OF RENOWNED APPELLLATIONS CORBIERES, COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC, MINERVOIS,
SAINT-CHINIAN, FAUGERES, FITOU, , LIMOUX, CABARDES, MALEPERE, CLAIRETTE DU LANGUEDOC
The names conjure-up sun-baled hillsides, dried-up riverbeds and dry stone-terraces,
perfumed with the scents of the sea and the wild scrubland, known as the " garrigue".
Man has tamed Nature and worked the land to produce both stunning landscapes and
wonderful wines. These carry in them the prevailing winds and the rich local flavours
which embody the region of Languedoc.
A REMARKABLE REGION
There's an air of greatness permeating this Langudoc which has been shaped
not just by its illustrious sons, but also by the light, the wind and the Mediterranean.
Castle ruins, cathedrals and rocky outcrops all rise majestically to the skies.
Roads wander on endlessly, the land stretches out and undulates forever .
AND FULL OF FLAVORS
The Languedoc region evokes the flavours of spices, saffron, bay leaves, a
touch of aniseed, a note of thyme, a whiff of juniper. All these wild aroma mingle
in the different appellations the length and breadth of the Languedoc vineyard
A LAND RICH IN HISTORY
In LANGUEDOC, the history of man seems to be closely associated with that of
wine. Given that this region has seen many invaders come and go, the Cathars,
the Romans, the Visigoths- it's difficult to be certain of the origin of the vine.
We do know one thing for certain : the wines which are today under the appellation
of COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC stretching from narbonne to the edge of the Camargue are
the oldest in France. They date back over 2500 years to the time when the Greeks
were building a colony in Agde.
Where there's a monastery there is a vineyard. As strange is that equation
might seem today, it was the rule in France throughout the Middle Ages and the
Languedoc adhered to the principle with typically southern tenacity so much that
it became THE WINE-GROWING REGION OF FRANCE
10 APPELLATIONS OF LANGUEDOC WINES.
An aristocratic pleasure . In the Middle Ages, the clergy were not the only
ones to contribute to the rise of the Languedoc vineyard. All classes of society
played a greater or lesser part in wine. Aristocratic , bourgeois and peasant
viticulture developed simultaneously. All the chateaux of the region ruled by
the Cathars rang with the songs of troubadours proclaiming the glories of wine.
1-CORBIERES sunshine , wind and stony ground here , intense and spicy full-bodied
reds contrast with lively, delicately floral whites. Main grape varieties : red:
carignan, red grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault. White : Grenache, Maccabeu,
Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne Recommended vintages : 1985 , 1989, 1990, 1993
, 1995, 1998
2- COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC Home of the first Vines, From Nimes all the way west
to Narbonne . With echoes of the garrigue, the wines are wonderfully fresh and
supple Main grape varieties : red: Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault.
White : White Grenache, Maccabeu, Rolle, Picpoul , Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne
Recommended vintages : 1985 , 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998
3- MINERVOIS A natural amphitheater The wines of Minervois tell us how rich
and diverse this area is. Set magnificantly between the Montagne Noir and the
Canal du Midi, microclimates abound. These wines remind us of heather, of sea
breezes, of rosemary , of aromatic fruit and flowers The main grape varieties
are about the same as in COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC AND CORBIERES
4- SAINT CHINIAN The green treasure box sheltered by the skies Coming as they
do from vineyards lying between Caroux and Espinouss, it's no surprise that the
smooth fruity wines of Saint Chinian have acquired the dialect which calls to
mind mimosa, orange blossom and other distinctive cadences of the garrigue.Their
sunny good humour makes them ideal partners for game and meat.
5- FAUGERES Planted on pioneering lands. The reds and roses of Faugeres express
themselves in smooth , well-rounded tones. Their melting perfumes remind us of
soft fruits and licorice and as they age, of the Faugeres' characteristic sunbeaten
shale terraces which flank the Cevennes.
6-FITOU Two zones and a frontier Fitou's generous , deep ruby red wines possess
a wide vocabulary that contains clove, flint and bay leaves. The contrasting terroirs
of Fitou range from arid inland hillsides to the richer soils of vineyards which
look out across the glittering Mediterranean.
7- LIMOUX FROM SPARKLING TO STILL Atlantic and Mediterranean climate rub shoulders
here giving Limoux wines their unique unmistakable identity. Vineyards cling to
the slopes of the high Aude Valley, producing the lively Blanquette and Cremant
and the still white wines so revered by Livy, the chronicler of Rome
8- CABARDES Winds from the east meet winds from the West. From this area's
chalk vineyards, which lie north of the canal du Midi can bee seen the distant
valley city of Carcassonne. The exquisitely well-spoken red and rose wines of
the Coteaux de Cabardes are the offspring of a unique marriage between celebrated
Atlantic and Mediteranean grape varieties.
9-COTES DE LA MALEPERE The western Languedoc Malepère is the most westerly
vineyard of the Languedoc , situated west of the Aude at the centre of a beautiful
wooded triangular massif. Its extraordinary microclimates gravel terraces and
the lime-clay hills combine with the cultural influence of Ocean and Sea to produce
sensual reds and sophisticated roses.
10- CLAIRETTE DU LANGUEDOC Seductive Whites. The Clairette Blanche and the
unique terroir of the middle slopes of the Herault valley work is unison to create
eloquent, deep-flavoured wines, the perfect accompaniment to fish dishes. Their
subtle elegance has drawn admiration for 2000 years.
THE CANAL DU MIDI A waterway and a way of wine. Since the end of the 18th century,
the Canal du Midi has been the backbone of the Languedoc region and its vineyard.
Running between Castelnaudray and Sete, this waterway takes you right into or
around the AOC vineyards as it goes on its way. You can rent a boat for a week
or more and learn to navigate . You can take a cruise in a hotel-barge , for a
weekend or a week. You just have to enjoy the landscape.
FUGUES EN FRANCE can set up tours for you in France as well as
cooking courses
Catherine Thevenin
FUGUES EN FRANCE
Email: fugues@club-internet.fr
Website: http://www.bonappetit-france.com
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