AOC MINERVOIS LA LIVINIERE

APPELLATION AREA 
At the heart of the Minervois in the natural area called the Petit Causse, at the piedmont of the Montagne Noire, this area includes six communities: Azillanet, Azille, Cesseras, Félines Minervois, La Livinière and Siran.

GEOLOGY
The Minervois La Livinière area could be considered as a miniature replica of the Minervois area because of its soils and landscapes where all extreme elements are attenuated. In the area of the limestone plateau, the ground alternates between compact limestone and limestone marls. The hills are mainly clay marls and clay.

CLIMATE
Due to its position between the Serre d’Oupia and the hills of Laure-Minervois, this is a dry area with rain fall of between 400 and 500 mm per year and significant water shortages in summer. The hot days in this area are relieved by the cool night time breezes coming down from the mountain crests. 

GRAPES
Syrah, Mourvedre (minimum 20%). Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Ladoner Pelut (minimum 60%), Carignan, Cinsault, Terret, Aspiran, Piquepoul for the red wines (40% maximum). Marsanne, Roussanne, Maccabeu, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache, Vermentino and small berry Muscat for the white wines.

VINIFICATION
Planting consists of a minimum of 60 % Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache (thus 40% minimum Syrah or Mourvèdre), possibly complemented using Carignan, Cinsault, Terret, Piquepoul and Aspiran.

KEY FIGURES 
2 600 ha
200 producers 
3 cooperative wine producers 
34 private wine producers 

Maximum authorized yield 
45 hl/hectare
Production 
7 000 hl

Sales 
6 200 hl 
(Storehouse outputs 2005/06) 
Export, cellar masters and CHR 

Source CIVL