NORTHERN
LANGUEDOC VINEYARD TOURS
SCROLL DOWN FOR A SELECTION OF OUR FAVOURITE TOURS
THE CRUS OF MINERVOIS
Discover why the Minervois is producing some of the most elegant and original wines of the Languedoc. Step back in time through ancient villages and towns to meet the Pioneers of the new Languedoc. Visit 1) After a drive through the vineyards of the Western Minervois we will visit a parcel of old vines planted in 1905, tasting the wine in the vineyard and an introduction to the history of 19th and 20th Century viticulture and wine making in the Languedoc. Visit 2) Chateau in Laure Minervois. Tour of cellars, explanation of the principles of modern wine making and tasting of three wines in the vineyard by the 11th century Chapel and visit to ruins of a 5th century Visigoth settlement. Drive to Feline Minervois via Caune Minervois where we will see briefly the Abbey and the King's Marble Quarry. Visit 3) Chateau at Feline Minervois, La Liviniere. Visit to Old Vine Carignan plot planted in 1920. Tasting in the vineyard. Visit to Cellars and explanation of the principles and practice of Biodynamics. Visit 4) Visit Domaine in Siran specialist in rare Languedoc varieties followed by tasting of their wines with three course set lunch. Visit 5) Drive to Western Minervois AOP Saint Jean de Minervois with tasting in the vineyard Visit 6) Medieval town of Minerve Return to Carcassonne approx 1830 via Saint Jean de Meuliere, site of the medieval millstone quarries, Feline Minervois and Laure Minervois. Cost per person €160,00 including transport, guide, entrance fees to wineries, lunch, wine tastings and material. |
CARIGNAN CHALLENGE
Carignan Noire is the backbone variety of the Languedoc but few people realise that is has the potential for world class wines. With old vineyards planted back as far as the 1890s Carignan is a marvel to discover. We take you to some of the most inaccessible vineyards to discover what makes this variety so unique. The day starts at 0830 with a breakfast briefing before depart at 09h00. This tour is very much vineyard focused as we discover where the best Carignan in the Western Languedoc is found. Visit 1) We head into the La Liviniere Minervois hills for our first winery and vineyard visits where we will see three different Carignan parcels and taste the single vineyard wines from each parcel. Visit 2) takes us to the Medieval town of Minerve where we explore the town, ravines and stop for a wine tasting of different Carignan ( Noire, Blanc and Gris examples) with a three course lunch. Visit 3) after lunch we cross into Saint Chinian via Saint Jean de Minervois where will taste an exceptional Carignan from a high altitude vineyards planted 100 years ago. Visit 4) We finish with a visit to a leading winery in Saint Chinian to taste two contrasting Carignan wines, one from pure limestone and one from slate soils and learn what it is about the soil that makes the difference in taste and aroma. We leave at 1730 to return to Carcassonne arriving at 1900. Cost per Person €160,00 including transport, guide, entrance fees to wineries and sites, lunch, wine tastings and material. |
THE LOST VARIETIES OF THE LANGUEDOC
In the 19th Century there were more than 150 different grape varieties grown in the Languedoc. Come with us to discover the pioneers who are rescuing and replanting these old varieties and taste some of them in the actual vineyards where they were discovered and are grown. Our day starts with a breakfast briefing at 08h30 with a departure at 9am. Visit 1) to Badens in the Minervois where we meet one of the iconic winemakers of Minervois and taste two exceptional wines from an ancient 19th century vineyard that has been rescued. We visit the cellar and the vineyard. Visit 2) to near by Laure where we visit and discover a parcel of 23 different varieties planted in 1905 and taste the actual wine from the vineyard. We learn why there varieties were abandoned and understand the potential for them in the future. Visit 3) takes us deep into the foothills of the Mountain Noire to a Domaine where we discover rare varieties such as Oiellade, Rivyreranc Gris, Clairette Gris and Picpoul Gris and learn what motivates the producer to nurture more than 20 of these rare varieties. The visit is followed by lunch accompanied by wines from the morning visits. Visit 4) takes us across the Aude river to a secret site of less than half an hectare planted with 13 rare varieties planted in the 1890s producing less than 800 bottles a year. We also taste one of the few Chenanson based wines to exist today in the world. Visit 5) takes us to an olive oil producer where we taste the uniquely special olive oil from the Languedoc made with Luque olives. Visit 5) The day ends with a visit to one of the leading Languedoc wine cooperatives where we learn about the importance of their role in the past and today, visit their cellars and taste one of the few example of Sauvignon Gris Rose that exists. We return to Carcassonne at 18h30 Cost per Person €160,00 including transport, guide, entrance fees to wineries and sites, lunch, wine tastings and material. |
