Six Day Wine
Explorers tour
This six day tour will be a vinous exploration of the
Languedoc which will give you a comprehensive overview of
everything this region has to offer As well as visiting
producers in six different appellations we will also be
tasting wines from other parts of the Languedoc at our
pre-dinner tastings, led by Master of Wine Juliet Bruce
Jones. Walks and tastings amongst the vines will enable us
to soak up the views as well as the wines! There will also
be time to visit local markets and cultural and historic
sites.
See below for the itinerary for our six day tour. We can
also arrange tailor made tours. For details,
contact us with your requirements.
Sunday
Arrive at hotel in the afternoon
Evening tasting ‘Introducing Languedoc wines’ followed by
gourmet dinner
Monday
Limoux
and Cabardès
Visit the historic citadel of Carcassonne before heading to
the charming market town of Limoux. The secret to making
fine sparkling wine was discovered here long before Dom
Perignon made his experiments in Champagne. We visit
Domaine Delmas, a family owned property high in the hills
above Limoux which makes an excellent range of sparkling
and still wines from organically farmed grapes.
After lunch in Limoux, we visit Domaine de Begude. This impressive property
is owned by James Kingslake, an enterprising Englishman
who produces fine cool-climate white wines as well as
some very promising pinot noir.
The last visit of the day will be to Domaine Cabrol in the Cabardès, where the
wines reflect the influence of both the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean and are a blend of cabernet sauvignon and
merlot with Languedoc varieties Grenache, Syrah and
Carignan. Claude Carayol makes highly individual wines
and explains his philosophy with enthusiasm and charm.
Return to accommodation. Free evening.
Tuesday
Minervois
and St Chinian
We start the day with a walk through the vineyards above
the village of La Livinière on the slopes of the Black
Mountains, source of some of the finest wines in the
Languedoc. There will be a quick tasting amongst the vines
before visiting the charming Isabelle Coustal of
Domaine Sainte Eulalie
who will lead us through her
range of award-winning wines.
Before lunch, we visit Minerve, scene of a bloody siege in
the 13th Century and dramatically
situtated between two gorges.
Fortified by an excellent lunch, we drive to
Domaine Barroubio which is famous for its
delicious sweet Muscats from St Jean de Minervois. We
taste these delicately scented wines in the elegant
hamlet of Barrubio, surrounded by the beautiful
vineyards on chalk-white soil.
The last visit of the day
is to St Chinian where Luc Bettoni 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.
Return
to hotel for gourmet dinner with wine.
Wednesday
Coteaux
du Languedoc, La Clape and
Corbières
The first stop this
morning is to the Roman city of Narbonne and to its
bustling covered market. We then visit
Domaine Pech-Redon, a stunning property
perched high on the Clape Massif which separates
Narbonne from the Mediterranean. 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.
After lunch we venture into the Corbières and visit Chateau
La Voulte-Gasparets, one of the best known producers in the
region whose wines are exported all over the world. The
knowledgeable Laurent Reverdy will lead us through his
wines in their smart new tasting room.
Before dinner, Juliet will arrange a ‘mystery wine
tasting’. No prior wine knowledge required (but a sense of
humour helps!)
Thursday
Vin de
Pays, Picpoul de Pinet and Pezenas
The first visit today is
to Chateau de
Perdiguier, a 14th century castle which is home
to the Feracci family. Christine Feracci will take you
on a tour of her beautiful home before we taste their
elegant Vin de Pays wines based on Chardonnay and
Cabernet Sauvignon.
(pic
of Ch Perdiguier)
Lunch is a 45 minute drive to the coast and Bouzigues where
oysters and mussels are farmed in the Etang de Thau. Here
we will enjoy fresh seafood, washed down with a glass or
three of fresh, whistle-clean Picpoul de Pinet.
After lunch we will visit Domaine
Felines-Jourdan, a family-owned property
which makes a wonderfully rich, steely Picpoul as well
as a good range of red wines.
Our last visit today is to one of the leading domaines in
the Languedoc, Prieuré de St Jean de
Bebian.
Situated just
above Pezenas on the slopes of the Cevennes mountains,
this estate produces profound, complex wines which
reward cellaring.
We return to Pezenas for the night. Free evening.
Friday
Coteaux
du Languedoc – Terrasses de Larzac
From Pezenas we head towards the small village of
Montpeyroux, one of the most exciting crus in the
Languedoc. We will take a stroll through the vineyards
above the village, enjoying the views of Mount Baudile and,
on a clear day, the Pyrenees. After a tasting amonst the
vines, we drive back down the hill where a warm welcome
awaits us at Domaine d’Aupilhac. Sylvan Fadat is a master
of his craft, producing excellent wines and he explains
his approach with considerable knowledge and humour.
After lunch at a good bistro in the centre of Montpeyroux,
we walk down the road to the tiny cellar of
La Jasse Castel and the delightful Pascale
Marcillaud. Her first vintage was in 1998 but she has
quickly made her mark as one of the exciting new
producers in the Languedoc.
We leave Montpeyroux and drive over the spectacular Gorges
de L’Herault and ‘Devil’s Bridge’ on our way to our last
visit of the trip.
Mas de Daumas Gassac
is the most
famous estate in the Languedoc and was the first to
prove that the Languedoc could produce serious,
ageworthy wines.
On this last evening of the tour, we look back over our
week over a gourmet dinner with top Languedoc wines.
The Tour includes: All visits, guide, lunches,
accommodation, evening meals ( except for free evenings)
and transport in air-conditioned car or minibus.
For more details and prices, please use our
Enquiry Form
This
itinerary may be subject to change according to the time of
year and size of group
Six Day Wine Explorers
Tour
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