Terrasses du Larzac
Encyclopedia
Terrasses du Larzac is an Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) within the Côteaux du Languedoc in Southern France
Southern France
Southern France , colloquially known as le Midi is defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Gironde, Spain, the Mediterranean, and Italy...

 ( French Occitania
Occitania
Occitania , also sometimes lo País d'Òc, "the Oc Country"), is the region in southern Europe where Occitan was historically the main language spoken, and where it is sometimes still used, for the most part as a second language...

 ) created in 2005 for red wines made from Syrah, Grenache
Grenache
Grenache is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. It ripens late, so it needs hot, dry conditions such as those found in Spain, the south of France, and California's San Joaquin Valley. It is generally spicy, berry-flavored and soft on the palate with a relatively...

 and Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre , Mataró or Monastrell is wine grape variety used to make both strong, dark red wines and rosés. It is an international variety grown in many regions around the world....

 grapes, with the acceptable additions of Cinsaut
Cinsaut
Cinsaut or Cinsault is a red wine grape, whose heat tolerance and productivity make it important in Languedoc-Roussillon and the former French colonies of Algeria and Morocco...

 and Carignan, and grown in some of the highest vineyards of the Côteaux du Languedoc on the slopes of the Cevennes
Cévennes
The Cévennes are a range of mountains in south-central France, covering parts of the départements of Gard, Lozère, Ardèche, and Haute-Loire.The word Cévennes comes from the Gaulish Cebenna, which was Latinized by Julius Caesar to Cevenna...

.

The appellation includes St-Saturnin (cited by Jancis Robinson
Jancis Robinson
Jancis Mary Robinson OBE, MW is a British wine critic, journalist and editor of wine literature. She currently writes a weekly column for the Financial Times, and writes for her website jancisrobinson.com...

 as, "one of the more exciting of the named cru
Cru (wine)
Cru is a French wine term which is traditionally translated as "growth", as it was originally the past participle of the verb "croitre" . As a wine term it is closely connected to terroir in the sense of an "extent of terrain having a certain physical homogeneity ....

s within the Côteaux du Languedoc appellation including parts of St-Guiraud, Jonquières, and Arboras", and Montpeyroux (cited by Robinson as, "the highest named cru within the Côteaux du Languedoc in southern France and, with nearby Pic-St-Loup, the most exciting").

The Terrasses du Larzac region encompasses the villages of Aniane
Aniane
Aniane is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.-Population:-See also:* Benedict of Aniane* Pont du Diable, Hérault* Mas de Daumas Gassac*Communes of the Hérault department...

 and Jonquières, Hérault
Jonquières, Hérault
Jonquières is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...

 - respective homes of Mas de Daumas Gassac
Mas de Daumas Gassac
Mas de Daumas Gassac is a French wine producer from the wine region Languedoc, classified as Vin de Pays de l'Hérault due to its use of grape varieties outside specifications of its AOC. The winery, producing both white and red wine, is located in the south of France, in the commune of Aniane...

 (1974) and Mas Jullien (1985) and site of the renaissance in Languedoc
Languedoc
Languedoc is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city was Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² .-Geographical Extent:The traditional...

 wine.

One of France’s most recent appellations (2005) it overlaps in parts with that of Roquefort, France’s oldest and the world’s first appellation (1925) in the villages of Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette
Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette
Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-Points of interest:* Cave Coopérative* Arboretum du Mas du Rouquet-References:Based on the French Wikipedia....

 and Octon
Octon
Octon is a hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately west of Bridlington town centre and north east of Sledmere.It lies north east from Octon crossroads where the B1249 and B1253 roads cross....

. Here the grazing of Lacaune, Manech, and Basco-Béarnaise for the production of Roquefort occurs alongside the growing of Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre for Terrasses du Larzac wine.

Production zone

The Terrasses de Larzac area is in the north of the Hérault
Hérault
Hérault is a department in the south of France named after the Hérault river.-History:Hérault is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790...

 department. It is in an unsymmetrical V shape crossed by the north-south flowing Hérault River
Hérault River
The Hérault is a river of southern France. Its length is . Its source is in the Cévennes mountains. It reaches the Mediterranean Sea near Agde...

. The Causse du Larzac runs along the entire northern boundary. To the west it stretches along the Lergue river bed, whilst to the north-east it stretches along the sides of the Séranne mountains, along the Buèges valley. Mount Saint Baudille rises from the centre in the first foothills of the Larzac
Larzac
The Causse du Larzac is a limestone karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central, France, situated between Millau and Lodève...

. At the foot of the Causse du Larzac there are a succession of old terraces at around 50 metres (165 ft) above the Hérault and Lergue rivers.
Whereas some slopes which form a natural boundary for the Terrasses du Larzac do rise to over 800 metres (2650 ft), the areas under vines and classed as AOC Coteaux du Languedoc range from 50 – 300 metres (165 – 990 ft) up the slopes of the Causse and on the old terraces. The climate zone with the widest temperature variations in the region, it enjoys relatively cool summer nights thanks to its distance from the sea and proximity to the mountainous Causse. As a result the grapes mature slowly and steadily which is beneficial both to their colour and the wines’ aromatic qualities.

Villages

Aniane
Aniane
Aniane is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.-Population:-See also:* Benedict of Aniane* Pont du Diable, Hérault* Mas de Daumas Gassac*Communes of the Hérault department...

, Arboras
Arboras
Arboras is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...

, Le Bosc
Le Bosc, Hérault
Le Bosc is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...

, Brissac
Brissac
Brissac is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-Population:-Sights:*Castle , rebuilt in the early 16th century.*Parish church of Saint-Nazaire et Saint-Celse *Church of Notre-Dame du Suc...

, Causse-de-la-Selle
Causse-de-la-Selle
Causse-de-la-Selle is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...

, Ceyras
Ceyras
Ceyras is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France....

, Gignac
Gignac, Hérault
Gignac is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.Its inhabitants are called "Gignacois".-Sites:* Gignac Bridge over the Hérault River, completed 1810.* Church of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce...

 (part), Jonquières
Jonquières, Hérault
Jonquières is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...

, Lagamas
Lagamas
Lagamas is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France....

, Lauroux
Lauroux
Lauroux is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-External links:*...

, Mérifons
Mérifons
Mérifons is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France....

, Montoulieu
Montoulieu, Hérault
Montoulieu is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...

, Montpeyroux
Montpeyroux, Hérault
Montpeyroux is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:Based on the French Wikipedia....

, Moulès-et-Baucels
Moulès-et-Baucels
Moulès-et-Baucels is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:Based on the French Wikipedia....

, Murles
Murles
Murles is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France....

, Octon
Octon
Octon is a hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately west of Bridlington town centre and north east of Sledmere.It lies north east from Octon crossroads where the B1249 and B1253 roads cross....

, Pégairolles-de-Buèges
Pégairolles-de-Buèges
Pégairolles-de-Buèges is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:Based on the French Wikipedia....

, Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette
Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette
Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-Points of interest:* Cave Coopérative* Arboretum du Mas du Rouquet-References:Based on the French Wikipedia....

, Poujols
Poujols
Poujols is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France....

, Puéchabon
Puéchabon
Puéchabon is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France....

, Saint-André-de-Sangonis
Saint-André-de-Sangonis
Saint-André-de-Sangonis is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Saint-André-de-Buèges
Saint-André-de-Buèges
Saint-André-de-Buèges is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Félix-de-Lodez
Saint-Félix-de-Lodez
Saint-Félix-de-Lodez is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Guiraud
Saint-Guiraud
Saint-Guiraud is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Jean-de-Buèges
Saint-Jean-de-Buèges
Saint-Jean-de-Buèges is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Jean-de-Fos
Saint-Jean-de-Fos
Saint-Jean-de-Fos is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

 , Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière
Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière
Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Saint-Privat
Saint-Privat, Hérault
Saint-Privat is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.The Saint-Michel at Grandmont Priory is located on the territory of the commune.-References:*...

, Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian
Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian
Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-References:*...

, Soubès
Soubès
Soubès is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France, situated on a hill near the confluence of the Brèze and Suberbet rivers....

, Usclas-du-Bosc
Usclas-du-Bosc
Usclas-du-Bosc is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...

.

Soils and Climate

Sandy, stony soils, red ruffes in horizontal layers: limestone marl with overhanging cliffs of Jurassic limestone. Closer to the Hérault, cryoclastic limestone deposits with terraces of shingle down to the river.

The climate zone with the widest temperature variations, it enjoys relatively cool summer nights thanks to its distance from the sea and proximity to the mountainous Causse. As a result the grapes mature slowly and steadily, which is beneficial both to their colour and the wines’ aromatic qualities.

Production rules

Grapes may only come from land parcels identified by the producers and approved by the INAO. Of the 168 regional communes, 32 may produce Terrasses du Larzac wine. The Appellation is for red wines only. A blend of at least two grape varieties is obligatory including the Grape varieties of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre (60% minimum) with Syrah, Grenache or Mourvèdre limited individually to 75% and Syrah and /or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, Cinsault and Carignan (30% maximum). The wines must be over 12% alcohol level, and from yields no greater than 45 hectolitres per hectare. Vines must be planted at 4000 plants per hectare with a maximum distance between rows of 2.50 metres, pruned short at no more than ten renewal shoots per plant, and no vines under their 5th year may be used.

History

The Romans first planted vines in the Terrasses du Larzac area. The land around Lodève
Lodève
Lodève is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:...

 had great appeal, stretching as it did along the busy Roman road which linked Cessero (St Thibéry) with Segodunum (Rodez).
Benedictine period

The foundation of the Monastery of Aniane in 782, the main of the European Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...

 order lead the reintroduction of vines to the vast unoccupied hinterland in the area around Clermont l’Hérault and Lodève. The influence of the Benedictine monks of Aniane and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France....

, evidenced by the number of Romanesque churches and priories stretching up to the Buèges valley, was accompanied by the growing of vines on terraces overlooking the Buèges valley and the production of wine made in the cellars of Benedictine priories founded by the Abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France....

 in the 10th and 11th centuries. Local producers emerged later, using glazed stone vats blocks for vinification in vaulted cellars of village houses.
The 16th-19th century

From 16th century onwards, the landowners authorized the clearing of scrubland in the foothills to allow vines, olives and almond trees to be planted, frequently on stone-covered terraces (faysses.) In the 17-18th century, the growth of eau de vie production brought a greater prosperity to grape growers leading to the establishment of a distillery in most villages. Development of trade with those living in the Massif Central (who exchanged metal from local mines, meat, milk and cereals for wine, as well as dried fish and spices from the coast) lead to Montpeyroux becoming an important trade centre. Later Pas de l’Escalette above Lodève came into being, and the landscape around Pégairolles de l’Escalette is covered with little horizontal stone walls dug into the vertical, rocky hillsides as well as the construction of ‘capitelles’ (stone huts) where grape producers or shepherds could store material and shelter where a long way from home. The Marly decree in 1770 allowed for greater land clearance, with the vineyard planted on the garrigue and allowed for the production of wine to become a serious economic activity.

19th-20th century

Disaster struck in 1850. First oïdium, then phylloxera. As though out much of France, the vines of the region were almost totally destroyed with most producers choosing to dig up older vines and replant grafting onto American root stock.

Late 20th century

Pioneers such as Aimé Guibert - Mas de Daumas Gassac
Mas de Daumas Gassac
Mas de Daumas Gassac is a French wine producer from the wine region Languedoc, classified as Vin de Pays de l'Hérault due to its use of grape varieties outside specifications of its AOC. The winery, producing both white and red wine, is located in the south of France, in the commune of Aniane...

 (Aniane
Aniane
Aniane is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.-Population:-See also:* Benedict of Aniane* Pont du Diable, Hérault* Mas de Daumas Gassac*Communes of the Hérault department...

) in 1974 and Olivier Jullien - Mas Jullien (Jonquieres
Jonquières, Hérault
Jonquières is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...

) in 1985, and later Laurent Vaille - Domaine de la Grange des Pères (Aniane
Aniane
Aniane is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.-Population:-See also:* Benedict of Aniane* Pont du Diable, Hérault* Mas de Daumas Gassac*Communes of the Hérault department...

) in 1992 led the way to a rediscovery of quality growing in the region inspiring countless other growers and interest from foreign investors such as Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi
Robert Gerald Mondavi was a leading California vineyard operator whose technical improvements and marketing strategies brought worldwide recognition for the wines of the Napa Valley in California. From an early period, Mondavi aggressively promoted labeling wines varietally rather than...

, whose wish to make ‘one of the world's finest wines’ in the appellation’s Massif de l'Arboussas is well documented.

In 2008, Andrew Jefford
Andrew Jefford
Andrew Jefford is an English journalist, radio presenter, poet, magazine editor, and as a wine writer, the author of various books and columns.-Education:...

 (Author of The New France) wrote of the appellation:

"Where is the greatest terroir in Languedoc? You could make a case for Faugères
Faugères, Hérault
Faugères is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.The village is particularly well known for the quality of the appellation of wines, Faugères AOC, that it lends its names to....

, for Pic St Loup, for parts of St Chinian, for Minervois La Livinière, maybe for La Clape, but after my trip I have to say that if you were to write me out a cheque for a million euros and tell me to go to find somewhere to make great red wine, I would look most closely of all at Terrasses du Larzac."

Producers

Producers include: Les Souls, Domaine d'Anglas, Domaine Joseph Berth, Domaine de Malavieille, La Reserve d’O, Mas des Brousses, Domaine Coston, Domaine Jordy, Mas du Pountil, Domaine de Blancous, Château de Jonquieres, Mas de l’Ecriture, Mas Cal Demoura
Mas Cal Demoura
Mas Cal Demoura is a wine domaine situated near the village of Jonquières in the Terrasses du Larzac appellation in the north of the Hérault region, Southern France....

, Domaine la Croix Chaptal, Domaine des Conquettes, Domaine les Caizegues, Clos du Serres. Domaine de Granoupic, Domaine Honore Audran, Mas Brunet, Mas Fabregous, Mas Haut-Buis, La Bastide des Oliviers. Domiane des Tremieres, Les domaines du Cap, Domaine La Sauvageonne, Domaine des Cres Richards, Cave des Vignerons du Pegairolles, Cave les Coteaux de Bueges, Cave les treilles d’Aniane, Les Coteaux du Castellas, Cave de Vignerons de St Felix-St Jean. Cave Tours et Terroirs. Domaine de la Deveze, Domaine des Vabres, La Pèira en Damaisèla, Causse d’Arboras, Mas des Chimères, Mas Plan de l’Om. Domaine de Familongue, Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette, Mas de la Seranne, Mas Conscience, Mas de l'Erme.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK