Wine making is changing in the Languedoc. Gone are the days of heavy oaked wines, strong bodied chardonneys & cloying muscats. Light fresh wines, fruity & vibrant; whites & rosés that compare with the best. The new vingnerons are turning away from the appellation controlée & are blending traditional chardonneys with dry muscats & grenaches. Grapes like rousanne, maccabou, sauvingnan blanc & viogner are re-emerging & new varietals introduced creating complex aromas to enhance the blend.
Wines that are emerging are sophisticated with tastes that are elegantly structured. On the higher slopes of the Corbiéres, Minervois & Coteaux de Languedoc the grapes are hand picked & sorted. Methods vary within the region, some wines are stored in oak barrels & some use the modern stainless steel cuves. The results are truly spectacular; try some!
On our wine tours we introduce you to the different vinification methods, the wines, the vingerons & you buy the wines direct at vinyard prices.
10% discount: Special introductory offer: Mixed selection of 12 bottles Please email or phone us to discuss your choice of wines.
blanc: appellations corbiéres, minervois, limoux & coteaux du languedoc
Chateau
Hauterive Le Haut
2005
appellation
Corbiéres
grenache blanc (60%)
maccabou (20%)
marsanne (20%) cool & refined
with a subtlety
to match fish or poultry, also a dry contrast to cheese
Chateau
Hauterive Le Haut
‘Muscat Sec’ 2005
appellation
Corbiéres
muscat (100%)
unusual dry muscat from the high Corbiéres hills with a slight hint of perfume & fruit this versatile wine is a pleasure to drink by itself
Domaine
Martinolles Gasperets
‘Voignier’ 2005
appellation
Corbiéres
viognier (100%)
light dry table wine with gooseberry & hints of wild herbs ideal by itself but matches well with
entrées containing goats cheese
Domaine
Martinolles
‘Mauzac’ 2005
appellation
Limoux
Mauzac (100%)
a richer white with just slight oaky hints to its fuller flavour. Round & mellow, faintly smokey but with apricots in the background
Domaine
de Saumarez
‘S’ 2005
appellation Coteaux de Languedoc
grenache (50%)
Marsanne (40%)
Roussanne (20%)
Pineapple & mineral aromas with a slight oakinness, good with foie gras, grilled or shell fish
Les vignerons
de Pouzels
Duos 2005
vin de pays d’oc
chardonney
sauvignan blanc
ideal balance of flavours, dry but with gooseberry tones. A versatile wine, good to drink by itself but great with salads, fish & chicken.
Les vignerons
de Pouzels
Florilege 2005
appellation minervois
Marsanne
Muscat sec
Dry fruits with pineapple & gooseberry aromas, slightly peppery. good with foie gras, grilled or shell fish or chicken dishes.
Domaine
Piccinini
VDP blanc
2005
appellation
Minervois
Chardonney (80%) Viogner (20%)
Sophisticated dry white with a hint of softness & mellow nuances. A perfect wine for entrées & delicate dishes.
Domaine
Piccininni
Clos l’Angely
appellation
Minervois
Maccabeo
Grenache
Malvoisie
Roussane
Muscat
A complex blend of flavours gives this wine a full, dry & fruity taste.
Rosé : appellations corbiéres, minervois, limoux & coteaux du languedoc
Domaine Saumarez
Fleur de Liz 2006
appellation
Coteaux de Languedoc
cinsault (90%)
grenache (10%)
Soft perfumes of spring flowers & rasberries make this a delicate wine to match to Summer lunches
Chateau
Hauterive le Haut
Rosé 2005
appellation
Corbiéres
grenache (40%)
Syrah (40%)
cinsault (20%)
dry & refreshing hints soft summer fruits & slightly perfumed with a gentle peppery background