Appellation in the west of the French wine region Languedoc. To the south is the AOC Corbières, to the west the AOC Cabardès and to the northeast the AOC Saint-Chinian. It was classified as AOC in 1985 and belongs to the second quality category "Grands Vins du Languedoc". The town of Minerve was one of the Cathar strongholds in the Middle Ages. In 1210, 400 members of the Christian sect were burned here. It is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in France, as the Romans planted vineyards here as early as 125 BC. The Roman politician Cicero (106-43 B.C.) reports about a wine transport from "Pagus Minerbensis" to Rome.
The vineyards cover some 5,000 hectares of vines at an altitude of 50 to 500 metres above sea level between the Canal du Midi in the south and the Montagne Noire (foothills of the Massif Central) in the north. The terraced areas consist of pebbles, sandstone, slate, marl and limestone. They extend over 45 communes in the department of Aude and 16 communes in the department of Hérault in the form of a huge amphitheatre. Unofficially, the area is divided into the subzones L'Argent Double, La Clamoux, La Clause, Les Côtes Noires, Petit Causse and Les Serres.
Two small areas classified as independent AOCs form enclaves. These are Minervois-La-Livinière for red wine in the centre and Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois for sweet white wine in the north-east.
Red wine is produced to 90%. These are blended from at least 60% Syrah, Mourvèdre(Monastrell), Grenache Noir and Lladoner Pelut(Garnacha Peluda), and a maximum of 40% Carignan Noir(Mazuelo), Cinsaut, Terret NoirTerret,Aspiran Noirand Piquepoul Noir. For rosé, a maximum of 10% of white varieties are also allowed. The WQ white wine is produced from at least 80% Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Macabeo, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino, and a maximum of 20%, as well as Piquepoul Blanc, Clairette, Terret Blanc and Muscat Blanc.
Well known producers are Château Bassanel, Château Bonhomme, Château Donjon, Château de Gourgazaud, Château Maris, Château les Ollieux, Château d'Oupia, Château les Palais, Château Villerambert Julien, Château Villerambert Moureau, CV La Livinière, Domaine des Aires Hautes, Domaine de Barroubio, Domaine Borie de Maurel, Domaine le Cazal, Domaine Domergue, Domaine de Mayranne, Domaine Montahuc, Domaine Piccinini, Domaine Prieuré Saint Martin de Laure, Domaine Sainte Eulalie, Domaine Tailhades and Domaine la Tour Boisée.
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