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Wine Terrasses-du-Larzac
The AOC Terrasses du Larzac is one of the most recent registered appellations in the Languedoc region. Indeed, it is only since 2014 that wines from this geographical area can be labelled under this name. And yet, this very special terroir deserves to be distinguished from the rest of the Languedoc region... Read more on Terrasses-du-Larzac
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Appellation Terrasses-du-Larzac
The Terrasses-du-Larzac AOC benefits from a thousand-year-old vineyard
The Terrasses du Larzac appellation is part of the Languedoc region, where vines have been cultivated since the Roman occupation, that is, since the first century AD. The region was then particularly favoured for vine growing, the soils, the relief and the climate being favourable to its cultivation. Moreover, the region was on one of the main Roman roads, the "Via Domitia", which linked Italy and Spain, and which therefore allowed the region to experience many travellers and traders. This affluence allowed the development of local wine production, which was very good and was already found on the best tables of the great men of the time, such as Cicero or Pliny the Younger.
After the departure of the Romans, the region experienced numerous barbarian invasions, and it was not until the Middle Ages that the Benedictine monks began to cultivate the vines again, at first exclusively to make wine for mass, then seeing that it was popular, to trade in it and thus have additional income. It was not until the French Revolution that the land belonging to the Clergy and Nobles was redistributed to vine growers.
The landscape of the region was then transformed, low walls and mazets delimited the plots, allowing the organisation of the different plots. Capitelles (shelters for shepherds and winegrowers) also adorn the reliefs, and we find some today that date from the eighteenth century. They were used in particular on the plots of land furthest from the houses, so that the workers in the vineyards did not have to go back and forth. This type of arrangement allows one to realise the importance that viticulture had at the time.
The Larzac is a very rich terroir producing "garrigue" wines
The Terrasses du Larzac AOC is aptly named: the vineyards are organised in "terraces" to compensate for the significant relief and allow vine cultivation even in the heights of the Causses du Larzac. The highest peaks of these mountains rise to over 800 m in altitude, although vines are only planted up to 400 m in altitude, on the famous terraces. The surrounding mountains are particularly protective of the terroir, which is very rich in many varieties of plants, especially the garrigue. The vines are very much influenced by their environment, which is probably why we findaromas of garrigue in the wines of this AOC.
In terms of soils, all geological eras are present, but mainly the primary era, of which we find soils of schist, sandstone and pelites. The Quaternary era is also easily recognisable as these soils are composed of scree, glacis and alluvium, having been transported there by water.
The climate is typically Mediterranean, although it is considerably cooler than the rest of the AOC Languedoc, as this geographical area is quite far from the coast and therefore has less maritime influences. In addition, cool winds often blow down from the Causse mountains, which explains the large differences (13/14°C) that can occur between daytime and night-time temperatures.
The wines produced in this appellation are exclusively red in colour. They are made from the traditional Languedoc grape varieties. These wines must be a blend, made from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, which must be present at a minimum of 60%. The Cinsault is also allowed, up to a maximum of 30%, while the Carignan may not exceed 40% of the final blend.
What are the characteristics of a Terrasses-du-Larzac?
To the eye, the colour of Terrasses du Larzac is intense, brilliant and ruby, with beautiful purple highlights. Garrigue aromas, such as thyme and laurel, dominate on the nose, bringing a great freshness to these wines. On the palate, the tannins come to bring a beautiful structure to these wines, which are a very fine example of balance between tannic structure and freshness of aromas.
The great vintages of AOC Terrasses-du-Larzac
The 2001 and 2005 vintages are often referred to as the mills of the millennium! More recently, the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 vintages are also really successful vintages that will offer you some great tastings.
What to pair a Terrasses-du-Larzac with
The wines of the Terrasses du Larzac AOC will offer you very nice pairings with all the dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine, based on olive oil and herbs of Provence. They will indeed go well with grilled vegetable dishes, such as ratatouille or vegetable tians, as well as with meat dishes in sauce, such as daubes or civets. Grilled fish such as red mullet, or spicy dishes, will also go well with the freshness of the aromas and the tannic structure of these balanced wines.
The domains to discover within the Terrasses-du-Larzac AOC
Domaine De Brunet
The Coulet family has been cultivating the vines on this property for 5 generations, and it is one of the oldest private cellars in the region. Some of their buildings even date back to the 12th century. This wine can be kept for up to 7 years, it is particularly complex, giving off notes of truffles, coffee and tabac, due to being aged in oak barrels for 18 months.Clos Aguilem
This property has a rather special history: it brings together 17 wine enthusiasts, friends, and now partners, around Jean-Charles Auffret. Since 2015, the latter has been busy creating and marketing a single wine from vines he and his associates bought. This wine gives off particularly herbaceous and fresh notes, with velvety tannins, embodying the subtleties of the Terrasses du Larzac very well.
Languedoc-Roussillon appellations
Banyuls Grand Cru
Clairette-du-Languedoc
Coteaux-du-Languedoc Cabrières
Coteaux-du-Languedoc Grès-de-Montpellier
Coteaux-du-Languedoc La Méjanelle
Coteaux-du-Languedoc Montpeyroux
Coteaux-du-Languedoc Pézenas
Coteaux-du-Languedoc Saint-Drézéry
Coteaux-du-Languedoc Terres de Sommières
Côtes-du-Roussillon Les Aspres
Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Caramany
Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France
Côtes-du-Roussillon-Villages Lesquerde
IGP Coteaux de Narbonne
Languedoc Grés de Montpellier
Muscat-de-Frontignan
Muscat-de-Mireval
Muscat-de-Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
Pays d'Oc Gewurztraminer
Saint-Chinian Berlou
Saint-Chinian Roquebrun
Vin de Pays de Cassan
Vin de Pays de Caux
Vin de Pays de Cucugnan
Vin de Pays de la Côte Vermeille
Vin de Pays de la Haute Vallée de l'Aude
Vin de Pays de la Vallée du Paradis
Vin de Pays de la Vaunage
Vin de Pays de la Vicomté d'Aumelas
Vin de Pays de Saint-Guilhem le Désert
Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Miramont
Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Murviel
Vin de Pays des Coteaux de Peyriac
Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Pont du Gard
Vin de Pays des Coteaux du Salagou
Vin de Pays des Coteaux Flaviens
Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes
Vin de Pays des Côtes de Prouilhe
Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thau
Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thongue
Vin de Pays des Côtes du Brian
Vin de Pays des Hauts de Badens
Vin de Pays des Pyrénées-Orientales
Vin de Pays du Mont Baudile
Vin de Pays du Torgan
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