Occitania, land of wine and tourism. Here wine is not only a component of gastronomy, it is a central element of life, culture and human activities. Throughout the year, many events are organized to celebrate this living treasure, the soul of the largest vineyard in France! And then, in May “Do as you like” (but always in moderation).
It is a rich and eventful history that that of the vine in Occitania. from the amphorae on the Via Domitia to the wine barrels of the Hérault on the barges of the Canal du Midi until the revival of the most recent decades. Rise and decline, crises and rebirth, for a wine-growing area of more than 260,000 hectareswhich now has 87 appellations, including 51 AOP!
And precisely, in the heart of Languedocbetween maquis and scrubland, it is an uncompromising appellation with a strong character: Saint Chinian. 300 winegrowers, two terroirs, 20 villages which are gaining new momentum which now displays its duality like a banner: “Shale & Limestone.”
AOP Saint-Chinian, 40 years old and still valiant!
At the time of celebrating its 40 years (obtaining the AOC in 1982 for red wines
and the rosé wines of twenty municipalities) in this month of May 2022, the terroir thus affirms its personality and its strength. “I have always liked Saint-Chinian for its two faces… These two terroirs from different geological eras produce very distinct wines: fresh and airy on the clay-limestone, more elegant on the limestone side, more powerful on the marly part, they become deep and mellow on the shale and even age well. Surprising, right? Far from being schizophrenic, this double facet is a wealth“ comment about it Bernard Burtschytaster, expert and journalist.
Huddled against the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Parkand a few
not far from the Mediterranean or the Canal du Midi, the territory of Saint-Chinian also invites you to a real roadtrip wine tourism charm, Here, more than 90 cellars, estates compete in inventiveness, walks and activities to discover their wines and their landscapes.
These Gard vines are “crazy”… And so much the better!
The landscapes, they will also be at the rendezvous of gourmet walksbetween vineyards and Garrigue garrigue, on the occasion of the twelfth edition of Toque Vines of the’AOC Costieres de Nimes.
East of the appellation, between Beaucaire and Bellegardeon a course of 7.3 kms, it is a discovery of the hillsides up to the plateau of Costieres of Nimes (4500 cultivated hectares) which is proposed. Since the 10th edition, a night stroll opens the weekend festivities.
Friday, May 20 will therefore be the occasion for a traveling evening in the vineyards by the collective Keeping the Chiefs. Guided by the lanterns through the vineyards, at nightfall, epicurean hikers will take a 3 km route and at each stage in the vineyards and on the estate, an ephemeral banquet will be served to the guests…
Information and reservations on the website of theAOC Costieres de Nimes : https://www.costieres-nimes.org/#!vignes-toqu%C3%A9es/vignes-toqu%C3%A9es-accueil
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 Maydaytime walks invite you to explore the southern landscapes of the vineyard and to taste the cuisine full of freshness and sweetness of the starred chef of The House of Uzes, Christopher Ducros.
Sponsor of this 12th editionthe writer Daniel Picouly (Renaudot Prize 1999 pour The Leopard Child) just published tears of wine (ed. Albin Michael). One who defines himself as “a dunce of grape varieties” does not, however, lack a passion for wine, saying about the winegrowers: “We are colleagues, they write wine, I make books!”
On the gourmet trails of La Clape, in Aude
Lovers of good wine are definitely spoiled for choice in Occitania! Because this Sunday, May 22 is also the date chosen by L’AOC La Clape (in Aude) to launch its wine tourism season, with the 17th edition of Gourmet trails in the heart of the Aude vineyard. A gastronomic stroll starting from Château Moyau in Fleury d’Aude, “meeting the winegrowers and their wines enhanced by chef dishes.”
The 8 kilometer course, with low elevation between sea and vineyards, is accessible to the whole family and punctuated by gourmet stops. Nearly 30 winegrowers fromAOC La Clape are present to have their wines tasted on the terroir that forges them, in perfect harmony with the dishes concocted by chef Marc Schwall from the Petit Lac in Narbonne.
Le Regional Natural Park of Narbonnaise in the Mediterranean being a partner of the event, the walk will also highlight the biodiversity of La Clape, the fauna and flora.
In June, Bacchus will pass through Argelès-sur-Mer
In June, it is in the Pyrénées-Orientales that you will have to gomore precisely in Argelès-sur-Mer where will be highlighted the wine (and gastronomic) heritage of the Catalan Countryon the occasion of the first edition of the festival Bacchusfrom June 16 to 18, around the theme of terroir and Catalan wines.
At the foot of the Albères massif (1157 m), with the mountain for panorama and the sea for horizon, the territory of Argelès-sur-Mer enjoys an exceptional climate which allows to obtain exceptional products, tasty and tasty fruits and vegetables but also exceptional grape varieties.
“The cold and dry winds that sweep the territory encourage the reduction of sanitary treatments of the vines. The wine-growing soils bordering the town have made this territory, a land of great wines. Surrounded by remarkable landscapes and quality products, Argelès-sur-Mer has many advantages for developing local tourism where gastronomy is at the heart of the trip”underline the organizers.
Organized with the support of Interprofessional Council of Roussillon Wines, this first edition found a setting worthy of the event : The domain of Chateau Valmywinery since 1930, is known for its appellation wines from Coasts of Roussillonof Muscat de Rivesaltes and you Rivesaltes.
Located in the heart of a park of century-old cedarsthe Art Nouveau style castle, was built between 1888 and 1900. In addition to being a jewel in itself, the castle offers the most beautiful view of the town and the surrounding landscapes, with a view of the sea, the chain of the Pyrenees, the plain of Roussillon and the vineyard…
As part of this Festival Bacchusseveral concerts with renowned artists such as Grand Corps Malade, Gaëtan Roussel or Benabar are also scheduled.
And don’t forget, all this remains “to consume with moderation” ! And see you soon for new wine discoveries in Occitania…
Philippe MORET
and also…
Occitanie: Organic and wine tourism, nuggets of the wine sector
Vineyards: Boutenac, a cru in Corbières, sandstone and strength
Vineyards: Karen Turner’s inspiration in Uma’s light
Vineyards: Aveyron bends over backwards for the 30th anniversary of AOP Marcillac
Vineyards: It’s the right summer to learn how to taste Gascony
