Vineyards, Grape Varieties and Winegrowers
The La Livinière AOP is considered the premier cru of Languedoc . The appellation occupies a strip of land nestled against the Montagne Noire. It comprises only six villages surrounding La Livinière, whose very name, derived from the medieval Occitan word *vinièra* , already referred to a territory of vineyards. This region of the Petit Causse is characterized by its rolling hills where vineyards mingle with a flora of pines, garrigue, juniper, and oak trees. These are complemented by centuries-old olive trees, well-adapted to the unpredictable climate. The vines, planted on the south and southeast-facing slopes, benefit from a microclimate where summer heat and drought are tempered by the cool night air descending from the limestone plateaus. The varying altitudes, ranging from one hundred to four hundred meters, help maintain average temperatures slightly lower than those of the plains of the Minervois AOP . In this low-rainfall area, the clay-limestone and stony soils, interspersed with layers of sandstone and schist, result in naturally low yields. At the La Livinière vineyard , the grape varieties are exclusively reserved for the production of red wines. Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah are the predominant varieties and may be blended primarily with Carignan, but also with Cinsault or Piquepoul Noir. Harvested at optimal ripeness, these grapes give rise to complex and warm wines, whose balance is achieved through a minimum aging period of fifteen months.
Where to find Minervois la Livinière wines?
Domaine La Rouviole
