Wine lovers or not, discover the 8 most beautiful vineyards of Occitania during your next holidays!
Historic and Cultural Region of South France, Occitania is a region rich in slowly formed wine traditions over the centuries. The planting of the vine goes back to Antiquity. And we can discover so many great vintages and picturesque scenery to breathe! The terroirs often determine the deep identity of the territories, sitting on very diverse natural and climatic regions. The Occitania has three main wine regions: the Roussillon, the Languedoc and the South-West. The latter have more than one sixty names listed in AOP! Would you like to discover and taste the exceptional aromatic palette of Occitania wines? We have listed for you the 8 most beautiful vineyards of Occitania. These ancestral terroirs of southern France will delight your eyes as much as your taste buds. There's no doubt that you'll keep compelling memories!
1. Corbières
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Richard Semik
Cépage : grenache, mourvèdre, syrah, carignan
Type of land : extremely varied
Name : AOC-AOP Corbières
The Corbières vineyard extends over many hills between the Pyrenees and the Black Mountain. The axis between Carcassonne and Narbonne mark the northern boundary, the Sigean and Leucate ponds the eastern border. The culture of the vineyard dates back to the second century before our era. On the edge of reliefs, in narrow valleys, between garrigues and limestone reliefs, the vines are rooted in a humid and mild climate, sometimes rough and dry.
These contrasts are perfectly expressed in the products of this vineyard of Languedoc. To discover one of the most beautiful vineyards in Occitania, you are obviously recommended the Abbey of Fontfroide. A perfectly preserved historical monument of the 12th century, it is in the heart of the Massif des Corbières. The amateurs will be able to discover at this place many award-winning wines in an incredible setting.
2. Costières de Nîmes
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Cépage : grenache, mourvèdre , syrah , white grenache , marsanne and roussanne
Type of land : marne, clay and sand mainly
Name : AOC Costières-de-nîmes
This appellation is located at the extreme south-west of the Rhone Valley, north-west of the Camargue and in the natural region of Costières. This vineyard produces mainly red and rosé wines. Set on sunny slopes, it is on a plateau overlooking Nîmes. It extends on a territory of 40 km long between Meynes and Vauvert, and 10 km wide between Saint-Gilles and Beaucaire, on the edge of the Languedoc.
The Costière thus enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, thanks to the seaside and its low altitude. On the south slopes, turned towards the sea, the wines produced are powerful. On the slopes turned towards the Nîmes garrigues, in the north, they are more supple and fruity. For a tasting in one of the most beautiful vineyards of Occitania, you are particularly recommended the Château Mourgues du Grès in Beaucaire, or the Domaine Cabanis (organic farming) in Vauvert.
3. La Clape
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Cépage : black granache, sheep, syrah mainly in red; bourboulenc, clairette, grenache blanc, entre autres, en blanc
Type of land : Hard limestones of the Lower Cretaceous
Name : AOC Coteaux-du-Languedoc La Clape
The Clape is certainly one of the most spectacular and one of the most beautiful vineyards in Occitania! The pearl of the Narbonnaise region, the Clape massif stands as an impressive rock promontory. Colonized by the Phoenicians then occupied by the Romans, the massif was once a steep island that offered shelters to browsers. It was welded in the continent around the thirteenth century by the alluvions of the Aude.
The Clape is today the site of an exceptionally occitane AOP! The vineyard covers the towns of Armissan, Fleury, Salles-d’Aude, Vinassan and Narbonne. The Château L’Hospitalet or the Vignobles Woillemont are recommended to discover the renowned wines.
4. Gaillac
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Cépage : len-de-l, mauzac, muscadelle, sauvignon, duras, fer servadou and syrah
Type of land : ground argilocalcaire sur mollasses principally
Name : AOC-AOP Gaillac
A iconic South West Vineyard, this historic terroir is located on horseback on the two banks of the Tarn, northeast of Toulouse . The history of this vineyard is multi-millenary! Considered one of the oldest in France, he probably owes his creation to Gauls before the arrival of the Romans. It is then mainly developed by the monks of the Abbey Saint-Michel de Gaillac.
Its climate, shared between oceanic influences and Mediterranean trends, is particularly conducive to the diversity of vinifications. Thanks to a historical wine tradition, the wines produced here are mainly from authentic grape varieties. They then fully express the characteristics of a terroir with a strong identity! To discover this beautiful vineyard of Occitanie, you can visit Domaine Gayrard, Château Lastours or Domaine Causse Marines.
5. Pic-Saint-Loup
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Cépage : grenache, syrah and mourvèdre
Type of land : argilo-calcaires or alluvions
Name : AOC-AOP Pic-Saint-Loup
Drawing its name from the mountain overlooking it, this vineyard is located north of Montpellier Just at the foot of the Cevennes. In this place, there are favourable conditions for the production of renowned wines. The Mediterranean heat and drought are compensated by the fresh and wet influences from the massif. In addition to strong thermal amplitudes, a plant environment is conducive to the development of Mediterranean aromas.
Pretty young, the AOC Pic-Saint-Loup has nevertheless imposed itself as one of the best in the Languedoc thanks to its exceptional character. Nestled in the heart of the garrigues, this terroir is also one of the most beautiful vineyards of Occitania. To discover it, you should visit Domaine Haut Lirou, Château Lascaux or Mas de l’Uncle.
6. Out.
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Anibal Trejo
Cépage : côt, merlot et tannat
Type of land : alluvial and limestone lands
Name : AOC-AOP Cahors
This vineyard of the South West of France is located west of the city of Cahors, on horseback on the Lot Valley and on the Causses du Quercy. The vine is cultivated from the Roman Antiquity. In the Middle Ages, the Cahors acquired a strong reputation. Later, his “black wine” exported internationally, from England (black wine) to the Russia (kaorskoie vino).
Known for its dark dress, its powerful aromas, the Cahors blends ideally with the gastronomy lotoise, marked by the presence of the truffle. To discover these wines, as well as this beautiful vineyard of Occitanie, you should visit the restaurants of the region. But you can also discover some exceptional terroirs. The Domaine de Chantelle or the Vignobles Pelvillain are charming farms for a tasting.
7. Collioure
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Cépage : grenache, mourvèdre, syrah, carignan and white grenache
Type of land : schiste
Name : AOC-AOP Collioure
The vineyards of Languedoc and South-West are sure to welcome some of the most beautiful vineyards in Occitania. But the Roussillon obviously does not lack exceptional terroirs. Among the wines of the Côtes du Roussillon, Collioure is particularly detached. This port, founded by the Phoenicians, is located on the Côte Vermeille, where the Pyrenees dive on the Mediterranean. Its hillsides enjoy superb sunshine!
The name covers a landscape stretched into terraces. It overlooks the surroundings of Collioure, Banyuls, Port-Vendres and Cerbères, covered by the AOC. In addition to tasting exceptional wines, you will enjoy incredible views here. For a tasteful discovery, we recommend the Clos Castell as well as the Domaine Saint Thomas.
8. Saint-Chinian
Photo credit: Shutterstock – PAUL ATKINSON
Cépage : grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and carignan
Type of land : schists and calcareous stones
Name : AOC-AOP Saint-Chinian Berlou and Saint-Chinian Roquebrun
As often in Languedoc, Saint-Chinian vineyards dates back to the Roman Antiquity. At that time, its Mediterranean climate and soil quality have allowed the development of exceptional wines and their exports through the Mediterranean basin. With the foothills of the Massif Central, open on the plain of Béziers, the vineyard enjoys an ideal exhibition!
Terre de rouge par excellence, Saint-Chinian can only seduce lovers of character wines. Located in the department of Hérault, about 20 kilometres west of Beziers , it is one of the most beautiful vineyards of Occitania. To discover it, as well as its products, you can go to the Maison des Vins de Saint-Chinian.
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