DESCRIPTION :

The Languedoc wine region is located in southern France, spanning along the Mediteranean from the Spanish border to the south to the Provence region to its East. The area has around 700,000 acres (2,800 km2) under vines and is the single biggest wine-producing region in the world, being responsible for more than a third of France's total wine production. As recently as 2001, the region produced more wine than the entire United States. CORBIERES The Corbières appellation is this region's largest AOC, responsible for 46 per cent of the region's AOC wine production in 2005. Red wine dominates the production 95 per cent, with 3.5 per cent rosé wine and 2 per cent white wine making up the balance. Carignan is the most common grape variety. The AOC was created in 1985, covers 13,500 hectares (33,000 acres) of vineyards and produces an average of 554 000 hectoliter of wine per year, corresponding to 74 million bottles. For red wines, a minimum of two grape varieties must be used. Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvèdre and Syrah (the main grape varieties with the exception of Carignan) must together make up at least 50 per cent of the blend. Carignan, Picquepoul Noir, and Terret Noir can together not make up more than 50 per cent of the blend. A maximum of 20 per cent Cinsaut and a maximum of 10 per cent Grenache Gris is allowed. MINERVOIS The red wines of the Minervois appellation are produced from Carignan (which can account for no more than 40% of the blend), Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Mourvedre, and Syrah grapes. The white wines (which are less prevalent) include varietals such as Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Maccabeu, Bourboulenc, Rolle, Clairette and Muscat. AOC regulations require the wine to be blended, so single varietals are necessarily Vin de Pays. Historically, the region's capital has been the village of Minerve. This morning depart from your centrally located hotel in Toulouse and head for the Languedoc vineyards. Once in the area your personal English speaking driver-guide will comment on the history and explain the typicity of the Corbières & Minervois terroirs. During the day you will visit the installations and wine taste in 3 different wineries of these two wine producing appellations. Return to Toulouse at the end of the day.

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