Minervois
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
CarignanCinsautPiquepoul NoirRivairenc (Aspiran Noir)Terret NoirBourboulencClairette (Clairette Blanche)Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca)Grenache Gris (Garnacha Roja)Maccabeu (Viura)MarsannePiquepoul BlancRoussanneTerret BlancVermentinoMuscat À Petits Grains (Muscat A Petits Grains Blancs)Viognier Blanc
Terroir
Natural factors
- A south-facing amphitheatre stretching from the foothills of the Montagne Noire (Pic de Nore, 1,210 m) down to the Aude river.
- Soils over a syncline filled with Tertiary molasse: gravelly terraces, marls, sandstones, limestones, and lenses of schist.
- Mediterranean climate: 630 mm of rainfall per year, mean temperature above 14 °C, sunshine exceeding 2,400 hours per year.
- Two opposing winds: the Cers (from the north-west, dry and strong) in the west, and the marine breeze (from the south-east, humid) in the east.
Human factors
- The winegrowers' revolt of 1907, led from Argeliers by Marcellin Albert, gave rise to the legislation establishing the concept of the 'appellation d'origine'.
Product characteristics
- Reds: deep purple-violet colour, aromas of red fruits with spice and liquorice notes; good ageing potential. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Whites: pale gold with green highlights, floral on the nose, with peach, mango, and apricot notes on the palate.
Terroir / wine link
- Wind as a key factor: J. Puisais describes Minervois as a 'wine of air', in which the vintage character of the wind governs evapotranspiration, suppleness, and tannin richness.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 14 novembre 2011 publié au JORF du 17 novembre, JORF 17 novembre
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — CIVL