{"id":32787,"date":"2022-08-18T21:10:06","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T19:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/?p=32787"},"modified":"2022-08-20T16:59:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-20T14:59:48","slug":"languedoc-wines-aoc-fitou","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/francevisiting.com\/index.php\/2022\/08\/18\/languedoc-wines-aoc-fitou\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn more about Languedoc wines, with the wide and plural AOC Fitou appellation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An authentic vineyard<\/strong> between mountains and sea…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We offer you the opportunity here to discover a wild but fertile region with shimmering colors, caressed by the Mediterranean winds. Just outside Narbonne, don’t miss the Aude vineyards, featuring the AOC Fitou appellation. This one is located in the Fitounie territory and even recognized as the first appellation of Languedoc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this article, you would then discover some of the richnesses from Occitania. Therefore, you could admire on one side between Narbonne and Perpignan, the sea, ponds and long sandy beaches. On the other one, the Corbi\u00e8res massif with its deep gorges, its scrubland hills where thyme and lavender bloom, just below its internationally acclaimed vertigo citadels<\/em>. <\/strong>By AP<\/em><\/p>\n

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A southern appellation<\/strong> at the border of many territories..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thereafter, we focus this time on the AOC<\/strong> Fitou <\/strong><\/a>appellation, whose original name<\/strong> still remains uncertain, since it could either come from “Fictor”<\/strong><\/em> which means potter<\/strong>, since the clay<\/strong> industry was predominant for ages, or linked to “Fictorum”<\/strong><\/em>, including the Latin<\/strong> root “Fita”<\/strong><\/em>, meaning the “limit”<\/strong>. Indeed, this would be specified by the presence of the village<\/strong> of Fitou<\/strong> on the border between Gaul<\/strong> and Iberia <\/strong>(photo credits: AP).<\/p>\n

It is a fact that since this vineyard<\/strong> has been established on the coast for more than 2000 years, with the planting of vines<\/strong> by the Greeks<\/strong>, on the coast around the Mediterranean Sea<\/strong>. An ideal location<\/strong>, at the direct vicinity of the nearby ports<\/strong>, which was pursued by the Romans<\/strong>, who made it a real trade<\/strong> product, along the Via Domitia<\/strong><\/em> (which was the Roman<\/strong> road linking Italy<\/strong> to the Iberian <\/strong>peninsula, passing through Narbonne Gaul<\/strong>) and as far as La Franqui <\/strong>harbor, on the Canal du Midi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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A terroir<\/strong><\/em> rich in diversity and landscapes…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More recently, several historical<\/strong> documents, dating from the Philippe Auguste<\/strong>, Louis XIII<\/strong> and Louis XIV<\/strong> eras can attest to the importance of the good reputation of this vineyard<\/strong>. This great reputation comes largely from its terroirs<\/strong><\/em>, favorably established on two very distinct facets. Indeed, the Fitou<\/strong> vineyard, which extends over more than 2500 hectares, for 354 winegrowers<\/strong> and 5 cooperative cellars<\/strong>, is spread over an area located on the edge of the Mediterranean<\/strong> area, while the other rests in the heart of the Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong> massif.<\/p>\n

Icing on the cake, these two areas<\/strong> were recognized as A.O.C.<\/strong> in 1948, complementing the already existing production of Vins Doux Naturels<\/strong>, Muscat de Rivesaltes<\/strong> and Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong>, which makes it the oldest  AOC<\/strong> red wine in Languedoc-Roussillon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..just an overview of this limestone<\/strong> soil.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Some surprising winegrowers<\/strong> huts standing in the vines<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Indeed, the AOC Fitou<\/strong><\/a> covers nine towns in the Aude<\/strong> department (Caves<\/strong>, Leucate<\/strong>, Fitou<\/strong>, La<\/strong> Palme<\/strong>, Cascastel-des-Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong>, Paziols<\/strong>, Tuchan<\/strong>, Treilles<\/strong> and Villeneuve-les-Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong>), including five municipalities<\/strong> located along the Mediterranean<\/strong> coast, around Leucate<\/strong>, between 20m and 200m above sea level, while four municipalities<\/strong> are located in the Hautes-Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong>, around Tuchan<\/strong>, between 200 and 300 m above sea level.<\/p>\n

For information, these two wine<\/strong> spheres are separated by a limestone<\/strong> plateau, giving a rather rigid clay-limestone<\/strong> dimension to the coastal part, endowed with a typically Mediterranean<\/strong> climate.<\/p>\n

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..or in L’Hippocampe<\/strong> which is an oyster bar, also in Leucate<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The maritime wines<\/strong> may be tasted at La<\/strong> C\u00f4te R\u00eav\u00e9e Hotel<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This maritime<\/strong> exposure is located on shallow, stony and warm soils<\/strong>, offering a certain flexibility to these wines<\/strong>. While the establishment of Haut-Fitou<\/strong> extends over much more varied soils<\/strong>, rich in shale, softer limestone<\/strong> and sandstone<\/strong>. This terroir<\/strong><\/em>, located at altitude<\/strong>, is distinguished by a drier climate<\/strong> which gives the wines<\/strong> more power.<\/p>\n

Although the climate in the Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong> massif is harsher, the whole territory of Fitou<\/strong> benefits from a sunny and dry climate<\/strong>, bathed in light and heat, in an exceptional environment<\/strong>. Indeed, it is claimed that those vines<\/strong> can be sunny at least 300 days a year. This is why in this dry<\/strong> environment, the vines<\/strong> remains one of the only plant presences on this territory<\/strong> where steep hillsides<\/strong>, deep valleys<\/strong> and plateaus of scrubland<\/strong> alternate.<\/p>\n

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One good example of “goblet”<\/strong><\/em> vine pruning<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From these arid<\/strong> lands are extracted different grape varieties<\/strong>, including two traditional grape varieties<\/strong>, the unctuous Grenache Noir<\/strong>, which tempers the vigorous Carignan<\/strong>, which offers a strong power to those wines<\/strong>, but offers a low yield. Added to this, other grape varieties<\/strong> offer different subtle nuances<\/strong>, such as Mourv\u00e8dre<\/strong>, which is mainly present on the Mediterranean<\/strong> front. This type of grape<\/strong> offers an aromatic<\/strong> but more tannic<\/strong> structure, ultimately contributing to more longevity.<\/p>\n

In addition, on the mountainous<\/strong> hillsides of Haut-Fitou<\/strong>, Syrah<\/strong> stands out for its more complex aromas<\/strong>, rather displaying notes of red fruits<\/strong>. Added to this, two different pruning<\/strong> modes predominate, knowing that the most common pruning<\/strong> is called “goblet”<\/strong><\/em>. Whereas some Syrah<\/strong> vines are organized in the form of “Guyot”<\/strong><\/em> pruning.<\/p>\n

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Despite low yields, the Fitou<\/strong> vinification structures are important, like here in the Mont Tauch<\/strong> cooperative cellar..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nonetheless, you will understand that in view of these different conditions, the average yield of 40hL\/ha<\/strong> is one of the lowest for French<\/strong> red wine. This criterion is important in the vinification<\/strong> method, which currently aims to combine two types of vinification<\/strong> for more balance in the final result. We can therefore resort to traditional vinification<\/strong> which is practiced from crushed whole bunches<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In another hand, maceration<\/strong> with whole grapes<\/strong> completes this scheme, bringing more suppleness and fruit to those wines<\/strong>. In summary, thanks to the evolution on winemaking<\/strong> methods and technological development, we obtain much more conventional wines<\/strong> while retaining their strength. In addition, it is necessary to count on vatting, under controlled<\/strong> temperature<\/strong>, lasting 8 to 10 days, and sometimes much more for special cuv\u00e9es<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

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ngg_shortcode_5_placeholderAOC Fitou<\/a><\/strong>, 37 Avenue de la Mer, 11480 La Palme (France) \/ Phone: 00 33 (0)4 68 40 42 70. More information about the appellation on their official website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Wooden barrels<\/strong> are always useful, as can testifies this row in the Domaine de la Rochelierre<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then, we would learn more about those juices<\/strong>, often aged in wooden barrels<\/strong>, but also more rarely in tuns<\/strong>, for a period of 9 months minimum. The result conveys to strong red wines<\/strong> with mainly dark ruby<\/strong> \u200b\u200breflections, along with warm, ample and fleshy accents<\/strong>. The younger these Fitou<\/strong> wines are, the more they give off aromas<\/strong> of flowers<\/strong>, garrigue<\/strong><\/em> and red fruits<\/strong>, while as they mature, they offer explicit notes of spices<\/strong>, ripe or candied fruits<\/strong>, sometimes on a background of a wilder or leather<\/strong> touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The aromatic<\/strong> distinction is accentuated between those different main terroirs<\/strong><\/em>. Indeed, a wine<\/strong> raised in the clay-limestone<\/strong> terroir<\/em> of Haut-Fitou<\/strong> has a much darker color. It releases sweet<\/strong> notes on the nose, while once in your palate, note its dimension rich in Grenache Noir<\/strong> tannins, offering a spicy<\/strong> dimension nevertheless quite present in cherry<\/strong>, doubled by a hint of tobacco<\/strong> and cocoa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..unless you prefer the organic<\/strong> touch from Le Clos Padulis<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Here are the two jewels<\/strong> of the Domaine Esclarmonde<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thus this syrupy<\/strong> aspect is accentuated with time, and you will be able to appreciate in old vintages<\/strong> from the shale of Haut-Fitou<\/strong>, creamy nuances of dark chocolate<\/strong>, fig<\/strong>, coffee<\/strong>, even rancio<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

So, do not miss the Domaine Esclarmonde<\/strong><\/a>, located in Paziols<\/strong>. This 24 ha estate is located on the varied soils<\/strong> of limestone clay, shale and pebbles on hillsides<\/strong>. In 2013, the tribe left their former cooperative<\/strong> and set up their private cellar<\/strong>, in order to sign their first vintage<\/strong> that same year.<\/div>\n
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Still in Paziols<\/strong>, since 2013, Thierry Bill\u00e8s<\/strong>, a former rugby<\/strong> player, has been cultivating 12 hectares of vines<\/strong> and 2 hectares of organic olive trees<\/strong>. Baptized Le Clos Padulis<\/strong><\/a>, this ambitious project was aimed to improve its production with a defined organic<\/strong> approach.<\/div>\n
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..leading to this beautiful juices by the Domaine Bertrand-Berg\u00e9<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Those endless vines<\/strong> have an average of 60 years..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another Paziols<\/strong> domain, the Domaine Bertrand-Berg\u00e9<\/strong><\/a> is a family estate located on mountainous<\/strong> reliefs. Their winegrowing<\/strong> tradition has been passed down with passion for six generations<\/strong>, and nowadays pursued by J\u00e9rome Sabine Bertrand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Their vineyard<\/strong> covers nearly 33 hectares, on limestone<\/strong> soils, enriched with pebbles<\/strong>, including vines<\/strong> with an average age of 60 years<\/strong> and also small yields<\/strong> for sure. The maturity of this domain<\/strong> has been optimized thanks to a fair harmony<\/strong> between terroirs<\/strong><\/em> and grape varieties<\/strong>, along a special care given to their own vines<\/strong>, notably with genuine organic<\/strong> processes.<\/p>\n

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..it’s perfect for a collective lunch<\/strong> to share in the Mont Tauch<\/strong> domain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A good combination<\/strong> between two different types of wines<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also located in the heart of a surprising landscape<\/strong>, surrounded by majestic mountains<\/strong> and Cathar<\/strong> castles, the Mont Tauch<\/strong><\/a> cooperative cellar<\/strong> has been producing wines<\/strong> for more than a century, on a surface of more than 1000 hectares<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Led by the Mont Tauch<\/strong> technical team, the Ch\u00e2teau de Montmal<\/strong><\/a> may somehow be considered as a model of sustainable development<\/strong>. Located in the heart of the schistous<\/strong> hills of the village of Villeneuve-les-Corbi\u00e8res<\/strong>, their vineyard<\/strong> is operated in a sustainable agriculture<\/strong> way. For instance, the focus is done over a long work of biodiversity<\/strong> preservation, carried out around the respect of new hedges<\/strong>, the grassing<\/strong> of pounds plus some monitoring of insect<\/strong> populations, essentially by trapping<\/strong> and a reasoned fertilization<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..where the tradition of cargolade<\/strong><\/em>, a grilled snail<\/strong> is pursued..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Domaine de Rolland <\/strong>is again located in Tuchan<\/strong>..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Founded in the middle of the 19th century by Emile Rolland<\/strong>, the Domaine de Rolland<\/strong><\/a> has been transmitted since 7 generations. Again located in Tuchan<\/strong>, on a rocky hill<\/strong>, in the shadows of the Ch\u00e2teau d’Aguilar<\/strong>, regarded as one of the “five sons of the city of Carcassonne<\/strong><\/em>“, while guarding the Kingdom<\/strong>‘s borders, in the 12th century.<\/p>\n

Therefore, those vines<\/strong>, belonging to the Domaine de Rolland<\/strong>, are spread over a surface of 20 hectares<\/strong>, arranged in 4 distinct zones, with a great homogeneity of soils<\/strong>, mainly with shale<\/strong>. Unless the surrounding soils<\/strong> are arid<\/strong> but balanced in all its necessary components<\/strong>, those conditions lead to an essential quality for the production of renowned wines<\/strong>. Thus, the Domaine de Rolland<\/strong> mainly produces organic<\/strong> wines in AOP Fitou<\/strong> but also some Rivesaltes Muscat<\/strong> along amazing IGP Syrah<\/strong>, Carignan<\/strong> and Viognier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..while the Domaine Gabinato Fresquet <\/strong>also share some history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Ch\u00e2teau de Nouvelles<\/strong> evolves a real feudal<\/strong> heritage..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ch\u00e2teau de Nouvelles<\/strong><\/a> is as well located in Tuchan<\/strong> in the center of this varied Fitou<\/strong> region but also reaches the Rivesaltes<\/strong> appellation. This domain<\/strong> is built above the vestiges<\/strong> of an old 19th century feudal castle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is where a square tower<\/strong> and the Saint-Martin chapel<\/strong> persist today.<\/p>\n

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The Domaine Gabinato Fresquet<\/strong><\/a> was still born and raised in this terroir<\/em><\/strong> of Haut-Fitou<\/strong>, on a dry<\/strong> and rocky<\/strong> land. Once again, this is an ideal setting, tainted with various historical<\/strong> remains, since the Bonshommes<\/strong><\/em> wished to become Cathars<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, this family adopted a certain philosophy<\/strong> focused on manual harvesting<\/strong>, directly sorted in their vineyard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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..somehow unveiling the spirit of garrigue<\/strong><\/em> essences, like this plant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Domaine du Cigalet <\/strong>is a new exploitation<\/strong>, with fresh ideas..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Domaine Le Cigalet<\/strong><\/a> of course cultivates both Carignan<\/strong> and Grenache<\/strong> on shale<\/strong> lands, in order to produce wines<\/strong> of character. Located in the middle of scrubland<\/strong>, on shale<\/strong> hillsides, their vines<\/strong> are cared with respect for biodiversity<\/strong> and environment<\/strong>, along a manual harvest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This domain<\/strong> recently issued a 2019<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/strong><\/em>, inspired by its steeply sloping vines<\/strong>, blown by powerful winds<\/strong>. Mainly composed of Carignan<\/strong>, this red violet<\/strong> alike wine has been growing in wooden barrels<\/strong> for 4 months and displays black fruits<\/strong>, spicy<\/strong> and garrigue<\/em><\/strong> notes.<\/p>\n

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The Mediterranean Sea<\/strong> hides in the background of this panorama..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the other hand, the wines<\/strong> developed within the clay-limestone<\/strong> terroirs<\/em> of Fitou Maritime<\/strong> display more purple<\/strong> reflections, displaying floral<\/strong> and sometimes exotic fruits<\/strong> scents. This trend<\/strong> is confirmed during the random tastings<\/strong>, with the addition of some iodized<\/strong> flavors, mostly due to this proximity to the Mediterranean Sea<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For your information, we got introduced this seafront<\/strong> part wines<\/strong> of Fitou inside the H\u00f4tel-Restaurant La C\u00f4te R\u00eav\u00e9e<\/strong><\/a>, facing a wide Mediterranean<\/strong> beach. A good occasion to get further into the different characters<\/strong> and assets<\/strong> that we could find in this typology<\/strong> of those specific wines<\/strong>, with the local specialities<\/strong> prepared in cuisine<\/strong><\/em>. Indeed, we are glad to tell you more about those various wines<\/strong> from different winegrowers<\/strong>, just below.<\/p>\n

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Let’s start with the Domaine of La Rochelierre<\/strong><\/a>, which conceives a specific Fitou Tradition <\/strong>cuv\u00e9e<\/em> allowing the terroir<\/em><\/strong> to fully express itself, with notes of black fruits<\/strong>, tapenade<\/strong><\/em>, garrigue<\/em><\/strong> and even fresh spices<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Unless you’re more into the \u00c0 Deux<\/strong><\/em> edition, a top-of-the-range wine<\/strong> enhancing the assets of Carignan<\/strong>. Aged in barrels<\/strong>, this juice<\/strong> displays a very fresh and tannic<\/strong> moment.<\/p>\n

The Ch\u00e2teau Abelanet<\/strong><\/a>, run by Romain Abelanet<\/strong>, proposes this year two delicious young millesimes<\/em><\/strong>. Among them, one employs old vines<\/strong>, again highlighting Carignan<\/strong>, grown on a clay-limestone<\/strong> soil for classy garnet<\/strong><\/em> colors. <\/p>\n

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\"\"\"\"\"\"Another castle, embodied by the Ch\u00e2teau des Fenals<\/strong><\/a> is a former bastide<\/strong><\/em>, that became a castle<\/strong> belonging to the Aragon<\/strong> family until the French Revolution<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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You could appreciate here powerful red wines<\/strong> with a balance between acidity<\/strong> and tannins<\/strong>, with again explicit notes of garrigue<\/strong><\/em>, leather<\/strong> and spices<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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The Mas des Caprices<\/strong><\/a> offers organic<\/strong> and maritime<\/strong> wines. The Retour Aux Sources<\/em><\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/em> even features a local and rare grape variety<\/strong>, named Lledoner Pelut<\/strong><\/em>, displaying intense spicy<\/strong> and peppery<\/strong> aromas. <\/div>\n
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Whereas Ze Fitou<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e<\/em> is a rather balanced wine<\/strong>, aged in concrete vats<\/strong>, using press wines<\/strong> (20% of the juice) aged in old barrels<\/strong>, in order to coat and polish its tannins<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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\"\"\"\"\"\"The Champ des S\u0153urs<\/strong><\/a> domain aims to highlight the Carignan<\/strong> grape variety, able to bring freshness and structure to its wines<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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For instance, La Tina<\/strong> cuv\u00e9e is composed of the oldest Carignan<\/strong> elements and combine them with the finest Grenache<\/strong> and Mourv\u00e8dre<\/strong><\/em> elements, from this exploitation<\/strong>. In fact, a fresh wine<\/strong> that you can even keep preciously during 20 years. <\/div>\n
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On top of that, the Cap Leucate<\/strong><\/a> vineyards are rich of a variety of seafront vines. Les Murailles de C\u00e9zelly<\/strong><\/em> represent the quintessence<\/em> of a modern wine<\/strong>, thanks to its velvety tannins<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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Otherwise, you could adopt Le Belv\u00e9d\u00e8re<\/strong><\/em> edition, which looks as a sunny wine<\/strong>, full of wild garrigue<\/em><\/strong> scents, softened by woodwork<\/strong> and thanks to a surprising texture<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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\"\"\"\"\"\"If you still feel curious for castles, the Ch\u00e2teau de la Grange<\/strong><\/a> is tainted with Roman<\/strong> roots, since it’s located in the former Via Domitia<\/strong><\/em>. <\/div>\n
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Apart from this, this domain<\/strong> is also renowned for its organic<\/strong> wines<\/strong>, cradled by endless marine<\/strong> waves. Thus, this Mediterranean<\/strong> situation brings its refreshing flow of iodine<\/strong> all over those vines<\/strong>, normally planted on dry<\/strong> soils. At last, those vineyards<\/strong> produce grapes<\/strong> with splendid concentrations. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Last but not least, we suggest you to conclude with alternative and original organic wines<\/strong>, imagined by the Domaine Mamaruta<\/strong><\/a>. <\/div>\n
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From peppery to even banana<\/strong> notes, those nature wines<\/strong> are low sulfited<\/strong>… So you better open those bottles<\/strong> at least 30mn before serving, for casual tasting<\/strong> conditions. <\/div>\n
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AOC Fitou<\/a><\/strong>, 37 Avenue de la Mer, 11480 La Palme (France) \/ Phone: 00 33 (0)4 68 40 42 70. More information about the appellation on their official website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/div>\n
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A giant seafood<\/strong> platter to share with your friends..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In conclusion, we highly recommend you to serve these nectars<\/strong> through a temperature<\/strong> between 17 and 19\u00b0, in order to reveal their true personality<\/strong>. Indeed, as you may have noticed earlier, the wines of Fitou<\/strong> are generally powerful<\/strong> and full-bodied<\/strong> in mouth. Thus, those are ideal wines<\/strong> then to accompany the local cuisine<\/strong> which stands at the crossroads between the cuisine of the South-West<\/strong> part of France<\/strong> and Mediterranean<\/strong> coast, through a mix of various charcuterie<\/strong><\/em>, seafood<\/strong>, grilled<\/strong> meats and cheeses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For instance, we had the opportunity there to taste their delicious selection of oysters<\/strong>, shrimps <\/strong>and other shells<\/strong>, proposed by L’Hippocampe<\/strong><\/a>. This charming sea food<\/strong> hut welcomes in a astonishing framework in Leucate<\/strong>, featuring fresh<\/strong> products.<\/p>\n

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On top of that, do not hesitate to age the wines<\/strong> from this Fitou<\/strong> appellation, since they have a propensity to age<\/strong> harmoniously, enriching themselves with more spicy<\/strong> and aromatic<\/strong> aromas, eventually for getting more length in the mouth. In order to make it possible, you could conserve those bottles<\/strong> in a good cellar<\/strong> at constant temperature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

L’Hippocampe<\/strong><\/a>, Mas 20 et 21, Centre Ostr\u00e9icole, 11370 Leucate (France) \/ Phone : 00 33 (0)4 68 70 76 94.<\/div>\n
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