Languedoc

Appellation named after the town of Minerve in the west of the Languedoc wine-growing region in France, north of the AC Corbières. The region is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in France, the Romans established vineyards here in 125 BC. The Roman politician and writer Cicero (106-43 BC) reports of a shipment of wine from „Pagus Minerbensis“ to Rome. The vineyard area totals around 4.600 hectares in the départements Aude (45 communes) and Hérault (16 communes). It is unofficially divided into the sub-zones L´Argent Double, La Clamoux, La Clause, Les Côtes Noires, Petit Causse and Serres gegliedert. The commune of La Livinière (the name is Latin in origin: Cellar Vinaria = wine cellar) together with five neighbouring communes was classified in the AC Minervois la Livinière in 1998. 95% of the wines produced are red. The red wine is a blend of Carignan (max. 40%), Grenache, Lladoner Pelut, Mourvèdre and Syrah (together a minimum of 60%), as well as of Cinsaut, Picpoul Noir, Terret Noir and Aspiran Noir. For the rosé, additionally a maximum of 10% of white varieties may be used. White wine accounts for only 1% of production. It is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Macabeo, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino (together 80%), as well as of Picpoul, Clairette, Terret Blanc und Muscat Blanc (max. 20%). There is a separate small AC region in the north-east, where a sweet vin doux naturel is produced under the AC designation Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois mainly from Muscat Blanc, with small portions of Muscat Rosé. Well-known producers are Château Bassanel, Domaine de Barroubio, Château Donjon, Domaine Domergue, the CV La Livinière, Château Maris, Domaine de Mayranne, Domaine Domergue, Chateau les Ollieux, Château les Palais, Domaine Piccinini, Domaine Simon, Domaine Tailhades, Domaine la Tour Boisée and Château Villerambert Moureau.