Minervois (AOC)

The Minervois is a wine region in the Languedoc -Roussillon in France. It takes its name from the central location and Minerve is located in the department of Hérault and Aude. In the northeast it borders the appellation Saint- Chinian, Corbières to the south, the west lies the Cabardès. Since Gallo-Roman times, when the area of the province of Gallia Narbonensis belonged here viticulture was operated. Since 15 February 1985, the predominantly red wines of the Minervois have the status of a Appellation d' Origine. In 2002, 214,000 hectoliters were well produced on 5,081 hectares, of which 95 % red wine.

Landscape and sights

The landscape of the Minervois is very attractively located between the Canal du Midi in the south and the Montagne Noire, the foothills of the Massif Central, in the north. Apart from the impressive landscape numerous prehistoric caves and dolmens, countless Romanesque churches, the abbey of Caunes -Minervois at Rieux, charming villages along the Canal du Midi can be seen up to the place in Minerve Cathar country. Other places of interest are Cesseras, Siran and Cassagnoles.

Grape varieties and wines

The grape varieties for red wines that are grown in the Minervois, are Syrah, Mourvèdre (collectively at least 20 %), Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Carignan, Cinsault, Piquepoul Noir, Terret Noir and Aspiran. The first four varieties must provide at least 60 % since 1999 together. This is intended to limit the proportion of the still- dominant Carignan. However, these limits apply to the total forest cover of the producer, so that individual cuvées may exceed these limits.

The white wines are ( called Malvasia ) from the grapes of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Macabeo, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino ( called role ) made ​​. In addition, are still in small quantities varieties Terret Blanc and Terret Gris and Muscat blanc à petits grains (maximum 10%) in use.

The red wine of the Minervois falls among the wines of the Languedoc- Roussillon by its delicacy and elegance. Nevertheless, he is of Mediterranean character. Its natural alcohol content must be at least 12 vol - % amount. It has a deep color, strong aromas and full body. He is at least five years shelf life, good vintages build in the basement of even longer.

Eligible municipalities in the Minervois wine

• In the Aude (45 municipalities)

Aigues -Vives, Argeliers, Argens- Minervois, Azille, bathing, Bagnoles, Bize -Minervois, Blomac, Bouilhonnac, Cabrespine, Castelnau- d'Aude, Caunes -Minervois, Ginestas, Homps, La Redorte, Laure- Minervois, Limousis, Mailhac, Malves, Marseillette Mirepeisset, Paraza, Pépieux, Peyriac -Minervois, Pouzols -Minervois, Puichéric, Rieux- Minervois, Roquecourbe, Roubia, Rustiques, Saint- Couat, Saint- Frichoux, Saint- Nazaire, Sainte- Valière, Sallèles- Cabardès, Salsigne, Tourouzelle, Trassanel, Trausse -Minervois, Trebes, Ventenac -Minervois, Villalier, Villarzel, Villegly, Villeneuve -Minervois.

• In the Hérault (16 municipalities)

Agel, Aigne, Aigues -Vives, Azillanet, Beaufort, Cassagnoles, Cesseras, Félines -Minervois, La Caunette, La Livinière, Minerve, Montouliers, Olonzac, Oupia, Saint -Jean -de- Minervois, Siran.

Minervois -La- Livinière

In the heart of the area consists of five community with the center since 1999 La Livinière own appellation for red wine with the name Minervois -La- Livinière. The climate here reaches extreme forms with particularly low rainfall of 400-500 mm per year. The layers are predominantly oriented to the south, with which they are particularly well protected from the cold north and northwest winds. Act cool night air flows from the mountains temperierend. In Rebsatz here Syrah and Mourvèdre dominate together with at least 40 %, together with Grenache must represent the three least 60%. The Minervois La Livinière excels at comparable structure and body over the simple Minervois by its special elegance. In the year 2002 8.287 hectoliters were produced on an area of ​​227 hectares.

Muscat de Saint -Jean -de- Minervois

In the commune of Saint -Jean -de- Minervois a sweet Muscat wine is made with the Muscat de Saint -Jean -de- Minervois. The provision requires that the must at least 252 grams of sugar per liter (→ Most weight ), which already corresponds to elite level. Its fermentation is stopped by the addition of 5-10 % alcohol. Here, then at least 125 g of unfermented sugar must remain per liter. The Muscat de Saint -Jean -de- Minervois since 1949 already has its own Controlled Appellation, for which only the muscat grape Muscat blanc à petits grains is approved. The base yield is very low at 28 hl / ha. As it grows at an altitude 250-280 m above sea level, the grapes ripen slowly and relatively late. This gives it a particularly intense aroma of flowers and tropical fruits. In the year 2002 4912 hl were produced.