Minervois
See Minervois producers See a list of Minervois wines See map
One of the most consistent of the Languedoc appellations, Minervois covers
over 5000 hectares, located due east of the magnificent Medieval town of
Carcassonne and sub-divided into five climatic zones. Granted AOC status
in 1985, Minervois has progressed rapidly and its wines, predominantly red, are
no longer dominated by the less-than-obviously elegant Carignan variety
made by a full or partial carbonic maceration. Indeed the so-called cepages
améliorateurs, Syrah and Mourvèdre, now have to make up at least 20% of the blend, and
are vinified more tradionally.
With increasingly impressive whites, combining such fascinating indigenous
grapes as Rolle and Bourboulenc and a selection of Vin Doux
Naturel, Minervois is a richly diverse and naturally well-endowed appellation,
fully deserving its resurrected reputation.
