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The vineyards of the Minervois in the Hérault region stretch out in successive terraces, from the foothills of the Montagne Noire to the Canal du Midi. On exceptional terroirs, between limestone and mourels, the different grape varieties soak up the wind and the sun to offer wines of great richness and diversity to be discovered in moderation.
Due to its geographical extension, this great Mediterranean appellation, located on the southern slopes of the Montagne Noire, reveals a mosaic of climates and landscapes. The diversity of the terroirs is determined by the simple layout of the geological structures.
The sedimentary layers, of Tertiary age, rest on the ancient base of the Montagne Noire and plunge steadily southwards towards the Minervois syncline. Three sets of rocks, stretching from east to west, follow one another from north to south: the shales of the ancient basement, alternating limestones and marls of varying degrees of marine origin, and the sandstones and fluvial silts of the Minervois Molasse.
Although they all have a good southern exposure, the terroirs derive their diversity from the variety of the bedrock and from an altimetric gradient that takes the vines from 400 m in altitude in the north, to less than 50 m in the Aude corridor.
The Minervois region of the Hérault is made up of three terroirs which differ in their soil and climate characteristics.

The terroir of the Petit Causse begins at Félines-Minervois and extends to Azillanet, including La Livinière, Siran and Cesseras. It stretches from the plains and terraces to the foothills of the Montagne Noire, announcing mountainous landscapes to the north. The vine, the dominant plant element, coexists with low scrubland and numerous pine forests. On the hilltops, the vines take the place of the garrigue. The variety of soils (hard and soft limestone, schist, sandstone, quaternary terraces) offers a diversity of wines and allows the adaptation of many grape varieties, including Syrah, requiring a relatively large and regular supply of water.
It is a terroir of character: a clay-limestone and sandstone soil, stony, dry on the surface, cool at depth, a topography of small sloping or terraced plots.
The hot climate is tempered by the altitude and by the fresh air (the Cers) coming from the nearby Montagne Noire, with large differences in day/night temperatures, favourable to the development of aromas of garrigue and candied fruit.

The Causse terroir: A high altitude terroir located in the central part of the Minervois, it reveals a strong geological identity. Between the Oignon valley to the west and the Cesse valley to the south and east, it is situated on a vast limestone plateau, sloping towards the south and incised with magnificent canyons, such as the Cesse canyon in Minerve. It extends over the communes of Minerve, La Caunette, Aigues-Vives and as far as Saint-Jean-de-Minervois. Here, the vineyards rub shoulders not only with the southern scrubland, but also with the very white limestone of the Cesse and Brian gorges. The plots are smaller because of the more uneven terrain. The morphology of the plots may depend on the nature of the soil. Very chalky and poor, they do not prevent the vine from establishing itself, the roots can go very deep to draw their water reserves (a few dozen metres) by following the cracks. However, the elders have always favoured land that is easier to work, such as the bottoms of valleys, where the soil has been able to accumulate. The presence of vernacular agricultural buildings (mazets, capitelles, dry stone walls, etc.), strong visual elements of the Mediterranean landscape, can also be seen on the edge of the vineyards.
Grenache and Carignan, Mediterranean grape varieties, appreciate the heat and dryness of these causses

The terroir of the Mourels stretches from Azillanet to Agel, passing through Beaufort, Oupia and Aigne. The Mourels are rocky ridges formed by raised geological layers and crowned by a sandstone bank. We find the alternation between spontaneous vegetation and vines with the same contrasting effects depending on the season. Here again, the location of the vines is influenced by the nature of the soil. Sandstone, unlike limestone, is very difficult for roots to penetrate, so there are no vines on the summit of Mourels. It is one of the hottest and most arid soils in the Minervois. It produces concentrated, warm and complex wines with red fruit aromas. 



 

The appellation "Cru Minervois La Livinière" AOC was the first to be recognised in the Languedoc, in 1999. It covers the territory of six communes: La Livinière, Siran, Cesseras, Félines-Minervois, Azille and Azillanet. With 350 hectares of vines scattered through the garrigue, the cru seems to be carved into the causse, which gives it its special characteristic with powerful and elegant red wines.

 

With 350 hectares of vines spread out over the garrigue and the woods, on terraces patiently embedded in the hills and bordered by low dry stone walls, the La Livinière cru seems to be engraved in the causse. At the southernmost point of the Massif Central, the great limestone slab of the Causse de Minerve is the bedrock of the La Livinière terroir: a mineral melting pot, with its mixture of shale, sandstone, quartz, marble, limestone, sand and clay.

The sunny character of the red wines of La Livinière is fortunately tempered by the air currents flowing down the slopes of the causse at night. This is where the freshness, finesse and softness of the tannins in the wines of the region come from.
A natural balance that the forty or so cellars enhance through the range of grape varieties, essentially associating Syrah with Grenache and Carignan. A major trio that has found here one of its most racy expressions. Powerful and elegant in the mouth. Ripe fruit flavours, strong essences of garrigue, olive, sometimes truffle, fresh mentholated nuances, spicy notes. In a word, a singular and plural harmony that echoes the landscape.

Archaeological excavations in the Aldène cave, in the Cesse canyon, have revealed the presence of man for 6,000 years in this corner of the Languedoc.
The La Livinière cru also stands out for its rich heritage. Dolmens, such as those at Les Fades in Pépieux, on the Planette plateau in Félines, and at Cigalière on the causse overlooking Cesseras. Castles. And very beautiful chapels such as Centeilles, with its 15th century frescoes, near Siran, or the chapel of Saint-Germain, with its Lombardy bands characteristic of the first southern Romanesque art, nestled in the pines near Cesseras.
Other vestiges of a rich past are the old marble quarries above Félines-Minervois, from where the red Turquin and Griotte blocks destined for Versailles were extracted. So many treasures to discover.

The AOP Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois is one of the oldest appellations in the Languedoc (1948). 
On a plateau of solid limestone. The landscape is mineral and luminous, the whitish and scarlet soils give back the heat accumulated during the day favouring the maturation of the aromatic compounds of the grapes.
The wines of this appellation are exclusively Vins Doux Naturels, made from a single grape variety, Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc, on poor and very stony soils. The wines develop aromas of exotic fruits, citrus fruits and white flesh fruits and offer a wonderful balance on the palate, combining power and freshness, harmony and persistence.
Today, the appellation is made up of 6 individual estates and a cooperative winery.

 

To the north-west of Béziers and its wine-growing plain, the Saint-Chinian appellation extends over some twenty communes.
Between the sea and the mountains, and under a Mediterranean climate, the terroir has been recognised as an AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) since 1982 for its red wines and since 2004 for its white wines.
The terroir of the AOC St Chinian presents an extraordinary geological and climatic diversity which gives each wine its own originality. If in the south of the appellation limestone dominates, in the north, schist. They produce fruity, supple and generous wines.
This very special terroir and the desire of the winegrowers to commit themselves to a quality approach have given rise to two communal appellations, recognised by the INAO since 2005: Saint-Chinian-Berlou and Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun.
Within a delimited area and with significantly more restrictive production conditions, the communal appellations distinguish certain production areas for their excellence and typicality.
Twenty communes are recognised for the AOC Saint-Chinian: Assignan, Babeau-Bouldoux, Berlou, Causses-et-Veyran, Cazedarnes, Cébazan, Cessenon-sur-Orb, Creissan, Cruzy, Ferrières-Poussarou, Murviel-lès-Béziers, Pierrerue, Prades-sur-Vernazobre, Puisserguier, Quarante, Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian, Saint-Nazaire de-Ladarez, Vieussan and Villespassans. 3300 ha spread out between 100 and 400 meters of altitude.

Characteristics of Saint-Chinian Roquebrun :
An area delimited on four communes (approximately 400 ha): Cessenon-sur-Orb, Roquebrun, Saint-Nazaire-de-Ladarez, Vieussan.
- Schistose soils, at altitudes of between 100 and 350 metres.
- Blended wine.
- Main grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, complementary grape varieties: Carignan, Mourvèdre.
- Vines at least five years old (10 years for Carignan).
- Short goblet or cordon de Royat pruning.
- Manual harvesting.
- Maximum yield: 40 hl/ha.
- Aged until December 1st, depending on the year of harvest.
- Typicity: complex aromatic power (red fruits), roundness in the mouth with notes of spices and very fine tannins.

Between Prémian and Colombières, along the Jaur and Orb rivers and at the foot of the mountain, you will find the Vins de Pays de la Haute Vallée de l'Orb
At the foot of the Espinouse massif and the Monts du Caroux, the last southern foothills of the Cévennes, the Vins de Pays de la Haute Vallée de l'Orb are found in 32 communes, from Prémian (west) to Avène (north-west).
The vineyards run along the Jaur and Orb rivers and are located at altitudes of between 200 and 650 metres. It benefits from a "temperate Mediterranean" climate, characterised by a double Mediterranean and Atlantic influence.
This mountain vineyard, with its cool summer nights, allows the grapes to ripen fully but over a longer period. The wines of the Haute Vallée de l'Orb develop an aromatic finesse and balance that are unique to them.
50% of the Haute Vallée de l'Orb is replanted with aromatic grape varieties. The new dominant grape varieties are Syrah, Merlot and Chardonnay. The traditional varieties are Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache.