Wine Tasting Tour of the Languedoc Region

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Weekend Wine Tour at Chateau Ventenac

with MASTER OF WINE, JULIET BRUCE JONES

2nd - 6th October 2008

We also arrange private tours for groups. Please e-mail for details

Wine Tour Details

Discover the fabulous wines of the Languedoc on this wine tasting holiday weekend with your expert wine guide.

Revel in the diversity of Languedoc wines, from whistle-clean white Picpoul de Pinet to deep, brooding reds and fragrant Muscats from St Jean de Minervois
Visit top wine producers from 4 appellations and taste their wines
Learn about the unique terroir of the Languedoc which makes the wines taste like they do
Stroll through vineyards and marvel at the views
Enjoy a weekend of fine wine and food in the relaxed surroundings of Chateau Ventenac

Thursday
Afternoon arrival at Chateau Ventenac.
Pre dinner tasting ‘Introducing the Wines of the Languedoc’. Juliet will take you through some classic Languedoc wine styles and give you your first taste of the Languedoc’s excellent wines.

Friday

The Magic of Minervois

Today, we explore the diversity of the Minervois wine region which stretches across the foothills of the broodingly beautiful black mountains, east of Carcassonne. The three properties we will visit illustrate the different faces of this energetic region: the traditional yet anarchic, the modern and dynamic and lastly the historic property which produces the best wine in the world.

The first visit is to Domaine Pierre Cros in the village of Badens. Pierre is the son of the local baker but chose wine over bread because he realized that his family’s vines had the potential to make great wine. His eclectic tasting room pays homage to his passion for rugby as well as to wine and his range of wines is similarly quirky. As well as excellent Minervois reds he also makes a barrel aged Pinot Noir (a variety seldom grown in the Languedoc) and ‘Mal Amies’ a fruity red from ‘unloved’, Languedoc varieties, Aramon, Piquepoul Noir and Alicante. A fun visit which combines the traditional with the anarchic!

We then take a short drive to St Jacques d’Albas which is in the process of being beautifully restored by its current owner, Englishman Graham Nutter. The cellar is full of gleaming stainless steel tanks and the state-of-the-art barrel cellar is a delight! The award-winning wines are made from traditional Languedoc varieties, Syrah, Grenache and Carignan and have a freshness and rich fruitiness which is very distinctive. Their top wine, La Chapelle, is named after the 11th chapel of St Jacques d’Albas which can be seen from the winery.

The next stop is for a well-earned lunch at a good, local restaurant. With wine of course!

Massmamier La Mignarde

Our afternoon visit is a real treat! Massamier la Mignarde, one of the leading properties in Minervois La Livinière, a subregion which is the source of the finest Minervois wines. This historic property, originally the site of a Roman villa, has been owned by the Vernet family for 6 generations. The impressive 17 Century Chateau, now the family home, is part of a collection of buildings which once housed several families who worked on the domaine. The top red wine ‘Domus Maximus, won the title of ‘best wine in the world’ at a wine competition in London. Perhaps even better is their other Minervois red, Tenement de Garruilghas, which was fermented and aged in oak barrels.

After a hard day’s tasting, you can unwind at Chateau Ventenac and enjoy a relaxing supper with wine.

Saturday

Corbières and la Clape

Our tour continues this morning we head into the rugged Corbières region which is famous for its rich, spicy red wines. One of the most celebrated produces in Corbières is Chateau la Voulte Gasparets, a charming property with a state-of-the-art cellar whose wines are exported all over the world. The knowledgeable Laurent Reverdy will take us through his wines in his smart tasting room.

We then drive to the Roman city of Narbonne with its bustling covered market and medieval cathedral. You are free to wander round the centre of this beautiful city and have lunch before our afternoon tasting.

Narbonne Centre

Domaine Pech-Redon, is a stunning property perched high on the Clape Massif which separates Narbonne from the Mediterranean and it is where the Romans first planted vines. The charismatic Christophe Bousquet will take us on a tour of his cellar and wines and explain the unique terroir of La Clape and his philosophy of organic viticulture.

We return to Chateau Ventenac in time to relax or to take a walk along the canal before the evening tasting. Juliet will arrange a blind tasting of six mystery Languedoc wines which involves matching wine descriptions to what you taste in the glass. No prior wine knowledge required but a sense of humour helps!

Afterwards we will have a superb gourmet supper with Languedoc wine at Chateau Ventenac.

Sunday

Sunday is market day in St Chinian, a bustling little town which lies at the heart of the appellation of the same name. We take time to wander through the market, admiring the different wares for sale, from mussels to mousetraps!

We then meet up with winemaker Luc Bettoni who will take us on an intimate tour of his vineyards and tiny cellar. His first vintage at Domaine Les Eminades was in 2002 and he is set to become one of the stars of the future. He makes excellent red St Chinian as well as a fine barrel-aged Sauvigon Blanc.

After an excellent tasting we then repair to a fine local restaurant to enjoy a great Languedoc tradition, a leisurely Sunday lunch with plenty of wine. A fitting way to end our Wine tasting tour

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PLEASE NOTE: The above itinerary may be subject to minor changes.